What I Learned In My 20's

Hello thirties. I hope that this new decade will be better than my twenties. My twenties weren't that awful, but I'm glad that my twenties are now behind me. People tell me that thirties is the best, and I'm hoping it's true! Looking back, I wish I had done things differently but I hope that this year I can really live my best life. Few things I learned in my twenties are...

One. It's okay to not have it all figured out. It took me 6.5 years to finish university - 3 different colleges and I changed my major 4 times. My advice is if you're indecisive like myself, shut out the noise of other people's opinions and pick a major you enjoy the most and stick with it. Also, people change their careers all the time and their major usually has nothing to do with their job. Instagram and social media glamorizes people's lives, and trust me...my life is far from perfect. I'm 30, not married, no kids, but I'm the happiest now than I've ever been in my twenties.

Two. Cut out toxic people in your life. You don't have to be friends with everyone and no need to be a people pleaser. It sounds harsh, but sometimes the toxic people in your life are the ones you need to let go to live your best life. A lot of my close friends that I cherish are friends from my childhood and high school. It's about the quality not quantity of friends. As you get older, the pool of friends get smaller and you stick with the ones who you can share life with through life's ups and downs. 

Three. Spend money wisely. Okay I'm not going to lie I'm still struggling with this. I'm still trying to budget and buy what I need over want. School's really should teach something we will actually need in the real world. There was a point in my life in my early twenties when I couldn't even afford a Beyoncé CD. My best friend Gina still makes fun of me to this day...

Four. Take chances! I think I cared too much about other people's opinions in my twenties. It's impossible not to, but it's all about balance. It's nice to have other people's inputs, but at the end of the day it's your life. Career wise, I remember I would turn down opportunities because I was afraid of what people would think of me. I wouldn't allow myself to grow and stunted my own development as a person. I'm more confident of who I am as a person, and l learned that nobody really cares whatever you're so worried about because they're busy worrying about themselves. Worrying doesn't do anything, whatever you're worrying about now...will it matter in a year? 

Five. Family is everything. I've always been rebellious since I was younger, and no not because I'm the middle child. I didn't realize how important family was until I got sick about five years ago. My relationship with my parents and family changed once I got rid of my ex and started spending more time with my family. One thing I realized was to never take family for granted.

Six. Take care of yourself. I took my health for granted and didn't look after myself. I didn't really have a set schedule and would find myself in a funk because I lacked discipline. I would sleep late and would wake up in the afternoon. Only in the last couple of years did I change my diet, take supplements, and be okay with my personal struggles with self image. It's easy to knock yourself down, but when you look at the bigger picture in life you realize how grateful you are just to be able to wake up the next day.

Seven. Be patient. Sometimes life doesn't go the way you want it to, and that's okay. It'll help you grow and become a better person. I would constantly compare myself to others, which lead to complaining and anger. I'd often ask God why I'm single, why I can't live a certain lifestyle, why I'm sick, why I'm breaking out when I'm in my twenties, why ___ (fill in the blanks). It was endless complaining. God was teaching me patience. If life was without struggles, you'd never be grateful for the good moments in life. Be patient, good things are coming your way. Don't lose hope xx

Sending everyone lots of love during this difficult time. Please stay in if you can and lets flatten the curve!

Love, Sharon