As someone in their mid-20’s I can honestly say there’s a huge difference between being 21 and being 25. Your early 20s are fun! They’re exciting! You’re finishing up college and it feels like the world is your oyster. Once you hit your mid-20s you realize life is…well, hard as hell! Don’t get me wrong, being in your mid-20s isn’t horrible — it’s just an age where you’re constantly evolving, changing, and realizing these little things:
Fighting With Your Parents Is Unnecessary
The relationship you have with your parents, and all of your family, is incredibly important! Friends come and go. Boyfriends come and go. But your family is always going to be there. Why? Because they kind of have to be. They love you unconditionally and although you might not always see eye to eye with them, they’re your biggest supporters. Your family should never take the back seat to anything.
Saving Money Is Actually Important
Even if you have nothing planned for the future, you should still be saving money. Besides the fact that you might need that money for something that just pops up one day, having money stacked up in your account feels really good! It provides you with a sense of security and stops you from worrying. Living check to check can be stressful and you don’t need that kind of stress at this age!
Honesty & Consideration Are The Best Characteristics
Finding love is difficult when you don’t know what you should be looking for. I’m not going to lie, even people in their mid-20s don’t have all the answers. But after experiencing more and more relationships, you realize that honesty is one of the most important things someone can give you. Honesty and consideration. A guy who doesn’t leave you guessing and puts your feelings over their own is a keeper!
It’s Better To Take Risks Early
The longer you wait to do something, the less likely you are to actually do it. If you want to move to another state, you should do that, before life really hits. There are so many things I wish I would’ve done but now, it’s harder because I have a job, bills, friends, and responsibilities— which are things I didn’t really have in my early 20s.
You’re Not Better Than Anyone Else
I don’t mean this is a negative way! Everyone’s special in their own way. All I’m saying is, no one is necessarily entitled to anything. When we’re young, we think we deserve things. But, we don’t. And walking around as if you deserve more than the person next to you is a very unattractive and unhealthy way to live. It’s great to be determined, it’s another to be stuck up.
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
No matter how much you might disagree with something someone says, you don’t always have to speak up. I’m not saying you should repress your thoughts and opinions but making enemies just so you can “get your point across” isn’t always necessary. Sure, your boss might upset you but telling her (or him) you hate their guts isn’t the answer. You don’t want to burn bridges in your mid-20s or any age for that matter.
Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees
You might’ve realized this a while ago but this phrase hits you even harder as you approach your mid-20s. Mainly because you’re paying your own bills. You have to work, pay rent, and try not to drown in student debt. Oh, and you have to maintain some sort of a social life while doing so. Being smart with your money is honestly the only way you can survive and you realize that in your mid-20s. No matter how much you want to, you can’t blow your money on organic products and Forever21 clothes.
It’s Important To Not Rush Yourself
So many people in their 20s are getting married, buying homes, and having kids. There’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you want to do. But just because everyone’s doing it, doesn’t mean you have to do it too. It’s easy to feel like you’re behind the curve when you’re in your early 20s. But once you get over that hump, you realize the importance of not letting yourself feel rushed just because the people around you are on a different path.
Dreams Aren’t Always Realistic
This one isn’t easy to realize but it’s something everyone comes to terms with; typically in their mid-20s. When you’re in school, you have incredibly high expectations for yourself. I’m not saying you lower those expectations as you get older but you realize what’s actually important to you, what you like to do, and what you want to do. When I was in college I wanted to move to New York and become a big-time Editor for Cosmopolitan. Once I graduated and actually went to visit New York, I hated it. All of the people, the noise, and the high cost to live there wasn’t something I could deal with. I also realized that in order to become an Editor, I had to work my way up…from the bottom. They don’t tell you that in college!