Tumultuous Twenties

20s is the most happening decade in life I think. Life is brimming with activities. On one side when there is getting out of school, earning and switching jobs, starting your career, finding your soulmate (Yes I still believe in it!;)), figuring out who you are as an adult etc etc but on the other side there is anxiety that invariably comes with a period of life characterized by instability, frequent change, and incessant decision-making. I am coping well with my tumultuous 20s – hey I am not denying the ups and downs but mentally and spiritually I am still intact! It has been 6 years since I have been voyaging in my twenties. I’ll admit, 20s were not at all like I imagined it would be. Initially I constantly craved for assurance and reassurance – I thank my amazing support system (family & friends) for my sanity today! Is the “twenties momentum” the same for everybody? This question set me my thought process rolling. I thought I could make a handbook for the kids entering 20s and give them the tips and tricks to schmooze their way through

Rule 1: Gain a lot of life experience:

A key advantage a 20s something year old has, is that its okay to fall. Even if you fail its okay. You can jump right back on your feet. Despite the little fears and insecurities that linger in the background, this is one of those life phases where it still feels like it’s okay to screw up, because “real life” hasn’t started yet. I’m trying to love being 20s with this in mind. Since you just start your career, you understand about your field of expertise better than you were in school. Identify and work on the skills to gain, to get ahead of the game. Experiment and gain as much experience as life offers. Don’t be in a hurry to settle down. Keep an open mind. Travel around, observe people and pick up all the best characters that appeals to you. Enjoy the time you have by indulging in something that stimulates you mentally. I know a lot of 30 year olds who wished that they had done something creative in their 20s when they actually had time.

Rule 2: Financial Education

I think there are valuable financial lessons to learn in 20s and it is so important you get them as soon as possible! When you’ve gained the education and/or skills you need for the career you’ve chosen, and you’re earning money and learning how to handle it, its so important to develop good spending and saving habits, and learning to budget and invest during your twenties. When you make all the short term and long term plans for life I think 20s is the right start to estimate and budget your goals. Enjoy the money you make but be responsible.

Rule 3: Remember that it is normal to feel lost but have a plan:

I still have not figured out why there are chunks of insecurity and anxiety in 20s that I did not have in my teens! There are so many moments when there are conflicting thoughts in your head. But I think I will gain confidence with time and more experience. The fact that I am more confident at 26 than I was at 23 is an assurance. If you feel lost and confused, make a plan about what you want to achieve – make a 5 year plan. What I mean is that its good to set goals. I know for sure that people who have a plan rolled up under their sleeve have a better sleep than those who don’t. Have fun but do not get lost in all the fun. Enjoy the minimal responsibility in 20s. There is room for fun and to experiment. I saw Lindsay Lohan on TV recently. I think she is a perfect example of 20s gone bad. The 22-year-old actress is always going to fabulous parties and supposedly having the time of her life, but is she really? Lohan was arrested twice for drunk driving, had to spend 84 minutes in jail and is now going bankrupt, according to Channel E!. Her friends seem catty and the press is all over her. It must be really stressful. That is something you don’t want.

PS: Sometimes its annoying when someone intrusively asks you “what your plan is”. You know what, you don’t have to say it to them. Just remember these plans are for you. You don’t need any tom, dick and harry’s approval for it.

Rule 4: Have a mentor, surround yourself with a good support system

There’s no faster way to improve than to have someone work with you on your goals. And that is what a mentor does. After I identified my mentor and accepted a mentor, I seem to have a direction in life that I lacked before. There is a lot you can learn from every single person, but a mentor helps you achieve significantly more results than if you had worked alone. Trust me on this one! A lot of things are too complicated to learn by yourself. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by having someone you can ask questions to. It’s important to have Mentors in your life who have “been there.. done that” that you can lean on for guidance, support and advice.

Its crazy in the 20s. Only in 20s can it irk you when a teenager acts like she/he knows it all! You know that the teenager is being an imbecile and on the other hand you are not matured enough to understand that you were the same in your teens!

I’m sure there is something about every decade. But something tells me that 20s has its own special way of creating and changing you!

What do you think? Are your twenties how you thought they would be? If you’re older, what did you think about your twenties versus your life now? What was your favorite age so far? I would love to hear!