21 Things I Learned in My First Year of My Twenties

By: Caitlin Hancock

To celebrate turning 21 this week, I want to share some of the best, and worst, lessons that I’ve learned in my first year of this journey that we call our twenties.

It’s easy to compare yourself to others and think, should I be further ahead in my career by now? Should I be doing more travelling? Should I be thinking about settling down? Should I be going out more and enjoying my youth? Should I be changing my habits?

Stop. Take a breath.

You have time!

Here are 21 weird and wonderful things that I’ve learnt in the first year of my 20s.

1. Reconnecting with your inner child and doing things that made you happy when you were younger is so important.

2. You will have to work harder to maintain friendships and relationships.

3. Your parents are right about a lot of things, listen to their advice more.

4. Doing things alone is incredibly empowering.

5. LinkedIn is a scary place.

6. Comparison truly is the theft of joy- in every aspect of your life.

7. Overworking yourself won’t make you feel better.

8. Dating apps are the trenches.

9. Its okay if somebody doesn’t like you.

10. Sometimes strangers will be the ones to give you the best advice.

11. Change is often accompanied by challenge.

12. Pop music is fun. Don’t let anybody tell you differently.

13. Life will show you the same lessons over and over again until you learn them.

14. Be open to knowledge, there is so much to learn and education goes far beyond what you learn at school and university.

15. Being outside will actually make you feel better.

16. Its okay to not know what you’re passionate about.

17. When you’re doing something that scares you, channel the person that you know who’s best at it.

18. Friendships shouldn’t feel transactional.

19. Energy you give to others is energy you take out of yourself.

20. Practicing gratitude will change your perspective on everything.

21. Dancing around your room for 5 minutes every day is guaranteed mood booster.