The A to Z guide to navigating life in your 20s

Your twenties are transformative in so many ways. You’re starting to finally figure out who you are, what you stand for, and what truly matters in life. Figuring all of this out can be fun and often times challenging. Here are the A to Z’s for navigating life in your 20s, and simple reminders to get you through the crazy highs and lows.

A is for Adventure

Your 20s are the time to explore! From living on your own and traveling, to dating and careers, remember to be adventurous and take risks to really figure out what you want out of life.

B is for Bank Account

With rent, student loans, and nights out with friends, it can be a struggle to keep our bank accounts full and happy. Be sure to set up a monthly budget and keep track of your expenses so you can see where you’re spending the most, and cut back if possible. Your savings can save you when the unexpected happens.

C is for Confidence

Your 20s bring up challenging or difficult situations that you’ve never experienced before. Embrace them! At the end, these situations always pass and you gain more confidence knowing that you can get through them.

D is for Dating

It’s awesome to date as many people from different backgrounds and away from “your type” as you can. This will help you figure out what’s really important when searching for a partner, and help you discover traits you never knew to look for, or you wanted.

E is for Exercise

Now’s the time to start developing healthy habits so you can feel like you’re in your 20s when you’re in your 50s! That starts with exercising at least once a week—try different types of workouts and stick with one you enjoy to keep you motivated.

F is for Friends and Family

Don’t forget your loved ones! It’s easy to get caught up with work and daily routine. Carve out some time in your schedule to reach out to your friends and family and let them know you care—whether it’s a phone call to your best friend who lives in another state, or a weekend stay at your parents’ house.

G is for Growth

Your 20s are a time of growth and change. Looking back at your early 20s from your late 20s, you really see how far you’ve come along in all aspects of your life. Take the time to acknowledge these changes and reflect on all you’ve learned.

H is for Health

You’re still young, but it’s never a bad idea to start thinking about your body. Go get regular check-ups to make sure you’re in tip-top shape—it’s better to catch health concerns now than when you’re older to prevent further damage. So make that dentist appointment you’ve been avoiding—it will pay off in the future!

I is for Invest

From the stock market to 401k’s, take to time to learn about properly investing your hard-earned cash. Read up on all you can and don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals or trusted friends and family members for advice.

J is for Judgement-Free

Don’t be quick to judge or make assumptions about people. Everyone has a story and some difficulties in life you may not understand. Take the time to get to know people and you’ll find out that what you thought was initially true, isn’t at all!

K is for Kicking-Ass

Kick ass in whatever you do, whether it’s going the extra mile at work or spending that extra hour training for a marathon. Even if things don’t turn out the way you want it to, you can still be satisfied in knowing that you gave it your all.

L is for Learning

You’re never too old to gain knowledge and there’s always something to be learned. Find something you’re genuinely interested in and take a class on it. Who knows, it might even lead you into a new career!

M is for Mistakes

You’re bound to make mistakes; some big, some small. But there’s one thing you can always gain from them: knowledge. Think of all the positives that came from your mistakes and learn from them!

N is for Nice

Being nice does not mean you’re weak or passive—it’s all about treating people from all walks of life with respect, dignity, and simply treating others how you want to be treated. Be nice to everyone you meet. When you’re nice to people, it allows them to open up to you and you’ll get to see a side of them you never thought you would.

O is for Outreach

We’re often held back by fear—fear of asking for a raise, or even applying for that job you’ve been eyeing. Don’t be afraid to do some outreach and ask for what you want. The worst you’ll hear is a simple “no”. And you never know—you might get everything you’re looking for!

P is for Picking Your Battles

There are some things worth fighting for, and some things where it’s best to just let go. Figure out what your priorities are and focus your time and energy on chasing them instead.

Q is for Quality

Whether it’s friends or a decent pair of jeans, take the time to invest in quality over quantity. What matters is what will last you for the long run and not for the short run.

R is for Rejection

Rejection is a part of life, from being dumped to not getting that job you interviewed for. Take every rejection with grace and know that it’s ok not always get what you want. After all, something better always pops up in the future!

S is for Shameless

Be shameless and confident in whatever you do. Don’t be limited to following the “norm” or let what others say get you down! Standing up for what you believe in and living everyday as your genuine self helps create your identity.

T is for Travel

Your 20s are the time to have fun exploring—and that starts with travel! Grab your friends (or go solo!) and have local staycations or international vacations. There’s no better way to make memories than by meeting new people and learning about different cultures.

U is for Unknown

There’s nothing more unknown and unpredictable than life in your 20s. It’s through exploring and trying new things where you discover and find yourself. There’s a lot of times you feel lost—and that’s OK. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away.

V is for Volunteering

Spend some time giving back to others, whether it’s by spending a Saturday donating your time at a local food bank, or by donating your skills and doing pro-bono work for a charity. There’s nothing like volunteering to make you feel grateful for all the blessings you have and give back to those who need it most.

W is for Work Isn’t Everything

Your 20s are so focused on getting your career up and started. Remember to create balance and take a step back to enjoy the other parts of your life that you’ve been neglecting. Now’s the time to enjoy your freedom and all that life has to offer!

X is for XOXO:

Remember to express your love for friends and family through your words! Send a simple text or (even better) a handwritten note to let your loved ones know that you’re thinking of them. A simple gesture goes a long way.

Y is for You:

No one will truly look after yourself better than you! This means taking the initiative to book regular check-ups at the doctors even when you don’t want to, standing up for what you believe in, and not being afraid of asking for what you want.

Z is for Zzz’s

Be sure to get your 7-9 hours of sleep every night! Make an effort to put away your cell phone before you go to bed and read a book instead to help you get your Z’s. Getting a good night’s sleep will leave you energized to face the day and live up your 20s!

[Image via Comedy Central]

Related:

What I wish I’d known in my early 20s

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