Transcontinental Musings: Advice to those in their fabulous 20’s

I came across this article entitled Surprise! You’re 30! It is a list of 30 pieces of advice that a 30 something gives to 20 somethings. It’s a great list and I’ve decided to make my own. I don’t care if you guys younger than I do anything with this advice. Mostly it’s just what I would tell 20 year old me if I had a time machine.

Appreciate those parental units in your life. Sadly, they won’t always be there.
Stay in contact with your family. You’ll need them.
My motto is “Make a mistake. You can learn more from a mistake than you will ever learn from regret.”
Take care of yourself. Go to the doctor. Get things checked out. Yes, you’re young, but you’re not invincible.
Admit when you’re wrong.
Apologize for being wrong. If your apology wasn’t accepted then you either didn’t mean it or they aren’t a big enough person to be able to accept it. You shouldn’t have to apologize for your feelings, but you should apologize for how you may negatively express those feelings
You don’t know as much as you think you know.
Be fierce and confident.
Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold. I learned that from Girl Scouts and it still holds true today. I love my new friends, but I still need the same friends I met when I was a Girl Scout.
You’re not going to have the same friends at 30 that you do now. Even if you do, they may not be the same level as they once were.
A lot happens in your 20s. Don’t be in a hurry to rush through it.
Don’t be afraid to open up to people.
You’ll get hurt and you’ll hurt people. It’s inevitable. Just know that you’ll live to hurt and be hurt again, but you’ll have learned how to cope.
COMMUNICATE. If you’re not happy, let it be known.
Having a road map to your life is important, but remember there are detours in life. Learn how to cope with change and adapt. It’ll make things less stressful.
Label things. Mainly pictures. I’m only going to be 30, but I have no idea who some of these people are and why I took their picture. No clue.
Write it all down. Keep a journal. Your brain won’t always be a steal trap.
Get organized. It’ll save you time in the future.
Don’t settle. You’re worth more than others may make you think. If anyone makes you feel inferior, they aren’t worth your time because they are obviously idiots.
Cliques will always exist. Just like they existed in High School, they exist in college and in the workplace.
Learn to let go. Let go of clutter. Let go of relationships. Let go of bad friendships. Let go of what people say about you. Let go of that ugly sweater. Just let go. You’ll feel so free.
Don’t make excuses.
There will always be someone who is jealous of you and will pick at your insecurities to make you feel inferior. Just remember you’re better than they are.
It’s ok to be insecure. It doesn’t make you weak...it makes you human. Just know that what you are secure about will definitely make up for what you are insecure about. Accentuate your strengths.
Live different places. You don’t have to move across the country, you can move 45 minutes up the road. You’ll learn so much about yourself when you’re not bound by the comforts of home. I don’t care what anyone says, you can always go home. It may be different, but it’s still your home.
Be humble.
Wear a condom. I worked at a health department and heard/seen some weird things. It prevents disease and unwanted pregnancy. Just wear it.
Blondes do not have more fun. Being a red head was interesting though.
Be passionate. Be passionate about someone. Be passionate about something. Put your whole heart into something that makes you happy.
Appreciate your past. Reflect on what made you who you are today. Don’t dwell though. Move forward with your life and welcome the possibilities.