22 Things To Know In Your 20s

I know, I know, I just turned 22 a month ago, how could I possibly know all there is to know about living in my 20s? But seriously guys, I feel like I’m 22 going on 33 with how seriously I take my life these days, and this list was not compiled just on my own knowledge, but with the help of a very wise mother & father, a few pretty great friends, and me/myself&I.

I got this idea from a post a few months back that had about 50 things you learn while you in your 20s. First off- 50 things…that was a huge overload for this girl right here, but those 50 things also had a buncha repeats that didn’t set my mind at ease after I finished reading.

So I decided to make my own list. So here we go.

1. Don’t Settle. Stop trying to just be comfortable and take the easy way out. Don’t settle for living with your parents and staying your home town just because it “makes sense.” Don’t settle for the easy, settle for the hard.

2.Go. Just freaking go. Leave, travel, try new things. Don’t sit there doing nothing and wishing you could follow in their footsteps, because you can, you just have to get off your butt and do it. And this is coming from someone who has hit the lows of lows- I know what it feels like. But you have to just go. Am a freaked to move to California? HECK TO THE YES. But am I going? Ain’t nobody stopping me.

3.It’s okay to have no idea. Your plans stink, let’s face it. God is going to make His plans happen no matter how hard you fight, so it is okay to have no idea what the future holds. I literally have no idea what California looks like. Seriously no idea- but I am still going because I want to be okay with having no idea.

4.Cry it out. Oh my word crying is the best kind of medicine. Scream it out, cry it out, do whatever you need to let whatever is frustrating you go. And cry in public- it actually is the best thing ever (shout out to Hannah who never fails at this challenge with me<3).

5.Get to know who YOU are. I hate to be the debbie downer, but life is only going to get heavier, harder, with thicker gunk to trudge through. And when you know who you are, especially who you are in Christ (who you were made to be), this broken world can’t hurt a hair on your head.

6.Trust Yourself. Do what you want. And then once you know yourself, you have to trust yourself. Trust your wants, your needs, your calling. Being selfish isn’t always the worst thing you can do, it’s sometimes the best.

7.Love Deeply. Just love people, deeply. Love is the only thing that can fix your brokenness.

8.Take Risks. Risks can look small, but be oh so big in the grand scheme of things. Taking risks can look like wearing that fancy hat in public, or going to a different coffee shop than your regular place. It can look like striking up a conversation with a stranger or giving too much because it ain’t your money anyway. Take risks because He is there.

9. Never be afraid to make new relationships. This goes right along with taking risks. Meet new people, message them on Facebook even though you know Facebook filters messages without your permission. Try the blind date, ask HIM out. Don’t be afraid to make new relationships and if you are, look at number 13, then come back up to number 8 and maybe you’ll feel a little better.

10.Don’t worry about the gas. Yeah I know, gas prices suck. But when your friend calls you to drive 2 1/2 hours just to see his church’s Easter service for 2 hours, do it. Hoarding money and time isn’t worth it. Money is money, but life truly is short.

11.Save Specifically. Starting when I move, I will start saving for a new car, a trip to Europe and future rent. Save specifically so you can take risks and not worry about the gas.

12.Always have a backup plan. Like I said, your plans stink. Get used to it.

13.COUNT on failing. You learn a lot in your failures. So make sure your fail so you know how to get back up.

15.Have a good home base. Have a home base for when number 12 and 13 happen. My home base is Springfield, IL. What is yours?

16.Diplomas and Degrees don’t determine your success.  You do.You determine where you go, what you do, what you accomplish. Whether you have 3 credits or 200 under your belt, success doesnt come from those things. Success comes from you.

17.Drink the milkshake and dip those fries. Take care of yourself guys, but don’t hold back just because the world tells you how many calories to consume. Enjoy a good shake and those salty fries, because you seriously only live once.

18.Work hard and time will reward you. Work hard, and determine your own success. Time will reward you- and always remember, that time may not be according to your watch.

19.Always carry a positive attitude, for 90% of life isn’t what happened to you, but how you reacted to what happened to you. Straight from the wisest, most joy filled person I know. #truth.

20.Clean your underwear. If any of you know my family well enough, you know who’s advice this is. For those of you who don’t, it’s my lovely Father. But he is right, clean your underwear- but don’t only do it when you’re in your 20s, do it your whole life please.

21.Learn to pick your nose in private. Solid advice Pops. And no, your car isn’t private.

22.There is nothing like the “right now.” This may be a little cliche, but don’t forget to slow down and take in the here and now. Don’t always be wishing for things to change, or for “the one” because there is so much to learn where you’re are now, wherever that is, whatever the season. You won’t get “right now” back. So take it while you can.

And for your entertainment, the face I am making while taking me first segway ride is exactly how I feel about life right now.

I don’t know what I am doing, but I can’t wait to see what God’s up to.

See ya soon,

Stephanie Lynn