Have you ever wished you had sat your younger self down? Wouldn’t sharing a cup of chai over some hard-earned wisdom be nice? Life in our 20s feels like standing in the eye of a storm. It’s fast-paced and confusing. This phase is filled with both excitement and anxiety. If you’re navigating this decade, you’re not alone. Here’s a letter to my 20-something self—and to you—with the lessons I wish I had known earlier.
Dear 20-Something Me,
- It’s Okay Not to Have It All Figured Out. Society makes you feel like you need a 5-year plan, a dream job, a soulmate, and a savings account all by the time you hit 25. Newsflash: Life doesn’t follow a checklist. It’s perfectly okay to feel lost, to start over, or to not have a ‘perfect answer’ when someone asks, “So, what’s next?” Growth happens in chaos. Trust it.
- Your Mental Health Deserves as Much Care as Your Physical Health Feeling burnt out isn’t normal. Ignoring red flags like anxiety, stress, or loneliness will only make them worse. Talk to someone. Journal. Breathe. Take that solo trip you keep thinking about. Therapy isn’t a luxury—it’s self-care, and you deserve it.
- People Are Temporary—And That’s Okay. Not everyone you lose is a loss. Friendships, relationships, and connections will evolve, and sometimes you’ll drift apart. That doesn’t mean your love wasn’t real or you failed. Hold space for the right people, and don’t fight the tide when it’s time to let go.
- Stop Comparing Your Chapter 2 to Someone’s Chapter 10. Social media will convince you that everyone’s ahead in life. People appear to have dream jobs, marriages, and lavish vacations. Remember: Instagram is a highlight reel, not the full movie. Stay focused on your journey; comparison is the thief of joy.
- Take Risks While You Still Can. Your 20s are a playground. Start that blog. Move to a new city. Try a career that terrifies you. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back—because you have time to rebuild. If not now, when?
- The Most Important Relationship Is the One You Have with Yourself. Be kind to your mind, body, and soul. Eat food that fuels you. Move because you love your body, not because you hate it. Learn to enjoy your own company—take yourself out for dinner or a movie. Loving yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
- Your Parents Are Growing Older—Cherish Them. One day you’ll miss those annoying phone calls and unsolicited advice. Make time for your parents. Ask about their stories, their struggles, and their dreams. Let them know they’re loved.
Life in your 20s isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning, unlearning, and growing. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll fail spectacularly, and you’ll have days where you feel invincible. Through it all, keep showing up for yourself.
And one day, 20 years from now, you’ll look back and smile—knowing you made it through the chaos, one step at a time.
To everyone reading this: What advice would you give your 20-something self? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s inspire and empower one another—because we’re all figuring this out together.
If this resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it. Let’s remind each other that we’re never alone in this journey.
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