As a person in my 20s, here are a few lessons I learned along the way:
We spend a lot of time on social media. Oftentimes, we get so lost in the bright blue light of our screens that we forget to turn it off and look. Look at the black mirror, and see the person reflected. On social media, I see people my age achieving great things already. They have high-paying jobs, flawless skin, marriage, and even having adventures. In this flex and hustle culture, it’s easy to feel like you are not doing enough. But, I learned that that is not the case. There are lessons that I learned in my 20s, and I’d like to share them with you.
As a person in my 20s, here are a few lessons I learned along the way:
Lesson # 1: It’s okay not to be busy all the time. Resting is also a goal.
Everyone is trying to be somebody in this world. We’re always told to reach for the stars, dream big, and never settle for less. However, I think that the awe-inspiring feat is being your own version of yourself. Rather than conforming to what’s loved by society – trying to be the next big thing, just be you.
We’re always told that we need a lot of things to be happy in this life. A diploma, a car, a partner, a family, a house, jewelry, travel experiences, a flawless physical appearance, a promotion, a huge following, and all the other things that we envy people on social media for. But, it’s okay not to be busy all the time. Resting is also a goal.
Lesson # 2: You are beautiful. Periodt; no need for filters, no need for lovers, no need for reasons.
No one ever told us that we would find happiness in the most minor things. Indeed, no one ever told us that we are beautiful as we are. We are capable of being so much more than the “successful” ones that we see now. Those things they tell us sound great. However, it’s not for everyone. Worth and purpose in this life is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. You are beautiful. Periodt. No need for filters, no need for lovers, no need for reasons.
Lesson # 3: Do things for yourself, not for others. Your greatest validation comes from you.
You are worthy of happiness, love, and beauty. Sometimes, not wanting more is not bad. That’s okay. Never settle for less, just settle for enough. Settle for what’s right for you. Furthermore, you define the boundaries of your worth, happiness, and beauty; you do you. Do things for yourself, not for others. Your greatest validation comes from you.
Lesson # 4: You define your own success.
Don’t kill yourself trying to be the best. Just be the person who’s good enough for themselves. If we always live our life trying to meet other people’s expectations, we’ll regret it. In a world where value is so heavily weighted, it takes away the very purpose of life. Moreover, we live to laugh and love. Why waste it on meaningless titles? Why limit yourself? You define your own success.
After all, in death, we are all equal regardless of what we have achieved. You might as well achieve true happiness than spending your life chasing the situation that society thinks you’ll be happy in.
