Do you ever look back and ponder upon the things you could have done differently in your 20s? As you reminisce those years, feeling regretful, you wish if someone would have shared some valuable life lessons to guide you when you were younger, just when you were preparing yourself to explore the sea of opportunities in front of you.
As you grow older, you take on the responsibilities that come with developing the foundations for your career and lifestyle. Chances are, you will make mistakes along the way. These experiences won’t be pleasant, but they will teach you valuable life lessons that will eventually shape you into a winner. Nothing can replace such experiences but lessons learned from those who have already lived those years can make your journey a lot easier.
Here are 10 life lessons that everyone should learn in their 20s.
Spend more time with your loved ones
When you get older and look back, you are not going to regret missing a season of your favourite TV show. But you will surely miss hanging out with your friends or spending time with family. While you may enjoy binge-watching Netflix, it’s also important to spend time with your friends and family. Moreover, binge-watching TV shows can also be detrimental to your health, research suggests. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, “higher binge-viewing frequency was associated with a poorer sleep quality, increased fatigue and more symptoms of insomnia.”
Take responsibility for your actions
It is easy to blame someone else for your mistakes, but it takes courage to take responsibility for your own actions. Mature, professional people understand this and do not make excuses when they have made a mistake. No one wants to hear that. Moreover, apologies cost you nothing and usually solve the problem. So, the next time anything goes wrong, own your mistake and apologise. Saying sorry won’t make you look weak or small. It takes courage to accept one’s shortcomings, but it’s still better than denying them or looking for reasons or excuses all the time.
Compete only with yourself
As you grow older, you realise how futile the exercise of comparing yourself to others is. There is always going to be someone richer, better looking, and smarter than you are. If you continue this habit, it will make you question your own beliefs and your abilities. Moreover, in the age of social media, this comparison trap has become wider than ever. A study titled The Effects of Instagram Use, Social Comparison, and Self-Esteem on Social Anxiety: A Survey Study in Singapore found that “Social media generates ubiquitous comparison information and accessible feedback, such as the number of likes, followers, comments, and retweets. Information such as these allows people to form impressions of others quickly.”
Remember, someone’s success does not make you a loser. A good way to get rid of this habit is to compete with yourself. If you work hard to improve yourself every day, it is only a matter of time before success comes knocking on your door.
Spend more time with your loved ones, take responsibility for your actions, compete only with yourself, do not fear failure, do not compromise your health, there is no shortcut to success, time is the most valuable currency, stop caring about what people think, be open to learning, adopt healthy habits and adopt healthy habits.
Spending time with loved ones in your 20s helps you build strong relationships and create lasting memories. These connections provide emotional support, enrich your life, and remind you of your values and priorities amidst the challenges of adulthood.
Taking responsibility for your actions fosters accountability and personal growth. Acknowledging your mistakes and learning from them cultivates maturity, resilience, and a sense of integrity that will serve you well throughout your life.
Competing with yourself encourages self-improvement and growth without the negative effects of comparison.
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