Musings of a twenty something adult

I'm in my late twenties now, and suddenly I feel like I'm too old to be reckless but too young to have it all figured out. So instead of pretending I've cracked the code, I'm sharing the lessons that kept me sane, keeps me grounded, and occasionally laughing at myself. 

This isn't a guidebook or a checklist, just a collection of thoughts I've picked up along the way. 

1.Do not take things personally.  Most of the time, people’s reactions say more about them than they do about you. Protect your peace by not absorbing every comment or action as a reflection of your worth.

2. Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them. Embarrassing moments make the best stories later. Smile at the slip-ups, but don't forget to take the lesson tucked inside.

3. Manage your money wisely. Avoid overspending. Think of it as giving your future self a gift. In my early twenties, I have been half-reckless when it comes to my purchases, and half-stingy or prudent. I was always saving for my rainy days (my savings did came in handy), and for my college education. 

4. Value rest as much as hustle. I noticed that as I age, my body needs 3-5 business days to recover from an activity or a dinner date with friends. I really need that 6-8 hours of quality sleep to function at work without relying on my hot green tea. lol. Honey, burnout isn't a badge of honor. Rest is fuel, not laziness. Genuinely resting is what keeps you sharp enough to chase the things you want.

5. Choose people who choose you. Energy is precious. Make sure you spend it where it's reciprocated. I cannot, for the love of God, spend another minute of my day with friends who keeps on throwing shades at me, obviously copying me and taking the credit for setting the trend (a total hypocrite), sabotaging me in all ways possible. I am tired staying in that circle, and being so understanding. It's time to cut ties with people who doesn't add to my purpose. 

6. If it doesn't nourish your soul, get rid of it. This is can be anything and anyone in your life that doesn't spark joy and bring value into your life. Make room for what makes you feel alive.

7. Read books and create art instead of doomscrolling or stay offline if possible. I've had my fair share of brainrot since the pandemic. I'ver experienced decrease in creativity whenever I'm always on my phone. When I did my no social media for a month last year, it was so peaceful and comforting to be present with my life after my shift. I only read and watch  long-from content, I journaled a lot, and painted a lot too. 

8. Stop comparing your timeline to everyone else's. It's easy to feel like you're falling behind when people around you seem to be achieving more, moving faster, or figuring things out sooner. But someone else's milestones are not the measure of your own success. Focus on where you are, the work you're putting in, and the path you're building for yourself. We all have different starting points, priorities, and definitions of success. You don't have to follow someone else's pace to prove that you're making progress. Your life is yours to build, and it doesn't have to look like anyone else's to be meaningful.

9. You don't have to explain yourself to everyone.  I have come to realize that if a group of people who united against me demands my side of the story, I'll just keep quiet. The older I get, the less interested I am in making sure everyone understands my decisions. Some people will misunderstand you no matter how carefully you explain yourself, and some will only understand you from the perspective they have already decided to believe. You can clarify your intentions when it matters, but you don't have to turn every misunderstanding into a courtroom defense. Sometimes, your peace is worth more than having the last word.

10. You are allowed to enjoy the life you've worked hard for. I think this is sufficient enough and doesn't really need an explanation. 

I guess that's what growing older is teaching me. You don't wake up one day with all the answers, and life doesn't suddenly become easier just because you're getting older. You simply learn to see things differently, to let go of what no longer serves you, and to appreciate what you once took for granted.

-E.