It’s often said that your 20’s are the most beautiful and challenging time of your life. Turning 21 is brought on with a sense of urgency to grow up, while the celebration of a 28th birthday brings fear and uncertainty. Growing up is a beautiful struggle, filled with quarter-life crises, the emergence of motherly hormones, and massive adult responsibilities (anyone still owe money to Sallie Mae?). Want to make it through one of the most exciting and terrifying age periods of your life? Read on for advice to keep you winning to the day you turn 29!
Womanhood and You: In your early 20’s the first thing you have to do is recognize that you don’t know it all. Accept it. Embrace it. Most importantly – grow from it. Grow by pursuing everything you’ve ever wanted to do, to be, to learn. Now is the easiest time to put you first. You’ve got the fewest commitments tugging at you in terms of your time and money during this stage of your life. So toss self-doubt to the wind and do you! Now is the time to rightly put you first!
Womanhood and Career: Find your passion. Figure out a way to make some money from it. Be fearless enough not to accept the status quo of trading time for money. Your early 20’s are the easiest time to make this happen. You don’t like what you’re doing? Switch it up! Are you curious about another industry? Try it! Use this time to discover what you like. As you move into your late 20’s, you’ll be far more successful at your chosen career because you’ll confidently be doing something that you love. You chose it — don’t let it choose you!
Womanhood and Love: Let love complement your life, but don’t let it consume it. Your early 20’s are the time to pursue it all! If you’re career-minded, make decisions based on you, not love. If you find a job, graduate school, fellowship, or new opportunity that is going to physically separate you from your mate, don’t be afraid to take the leap! You’ll regret it if you don’t! If your partner is in your corner, they’ll support you. If not, someone else will. Men are everywhere. At minimum, your marriage and mommy clock should not be ticking before your late 20’s. You’ll sacrifice too much if you give up on yourself too soon!
Womanhood and Friendships: As you mature, your friendships should too. It’s rare that the woman you are in your early 20’s is the same woman you’ll be in your late 20’s. Your experiences will mold you and often times change your priorities and preferences. Sometimes, you just have to let some folk go. If your friends are not building you up, they’re stagnant or tearing you down. It’s okay to reminisce about your heydays, but if that’s the only thing your friendship is based on then it’s really not worth it. Seek out friendships that will pull the best of womanhood out of you, and you out of them.
Womanhood and Money: You’re young and fabulous and you want everyone to know it! In your 20’s, spend it on you! It’s one of the few times in your womanhood – before marriage and kids – that you won’t have to share. Bling! Shoes! Purses! Trips! Spend! Just one caveat – allot some for the future you. Are you going to want a house one day? Spend wisely now and invest in your future as early as possible.
In your 20’s you’re working hard, but it’s the only time you’ll be able to play as hard as you work. So enjoy it!
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Chymere Anais
July 9, 2013 at 7:24 am
Awesome post! Many of these things I’m still learning and gaining perspective on. Recently I realized that this is my time to focus on my career and my passions and gaining the experience I need to thrive in both areas financially and happily. Loved all the points you made about taking advantage of the opportunities laid out in front of you and the chance to be selfish in a way. Love it.
-Chymere A.
Monique Gossett
October 1, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Woman, I learned all these things the hard way! Happy to share and glad you liked it :)