As we progress through college, we say hello to the exciting decade that is our 20s. Your 20s will bring new opportunities and challenges; experiences that will continue to shape us into who we are. Some of us are preparing for graduation, applying to graduate school, medical school, law school, or just preparing to turn the page into a new chapter in this book we call life.
In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be difficult to find things to look forward to. So, I decided to create a list of 5 new things to try in your 20s. I hope this list provides some inspiration and hope for the future that is waiting for us post-pandemic.
1. Traveling
To me, there is nothing more exciting than travelling. Visiting an unfamiliar place will introduce you to new people, ways of living, unique cultures, beautiful languages, delicious food, and music you have never heard before. Keeping a journal to record your journey is the perfect way to remember the stories and memories you will make along the way. You never know where you will find yourself when you embark on a new adventure.
2. Moving to a new city
Moving to a new city allows for a fresh start. City life opens doors for exploring; discovering a cute coffee shop, your new favorite restaurant, learning to navigate city transportation, and finding the best spot to grab drinks with a friend – The possibilities are endless. For some, leaving home or your college town and immersing yourself into an unfamiliar city is scary or intimidating, but there is no better time to challenge yourself than your 20s!
3. Changing Your Style
Entering your 20s is an exciting opportunity to re-invent your look. Fashion is a fun and creative way to express yourself, and who doesn’t love shopping? Stepping outside your comfort zone to try a new look is a great way to build self-confidence. Experiment with colors; try a bold makeup look, wear a different lip color each day, wear as much glitter as you want, dye your hair and completely different color! You might just find that experimenting with your appearance is fun, and a challenge to conquer each morning when you wake up to face the day.
4. Focus on Your Health
Although your 20s is an adventurous and exciting time, it is important to take care of ourselves as we age. Both physical and mental health are essential for positive, progressive aging. Finding joy in the ways you take care of yourself will keep you motivated to do what is best for your well-being. Experiment and try new forms of exercise; yoga and meditation are peaceful practices for checking in on yourself and focusing on the present moment. Journaling can also be helpful for reflection and self awareness. It is also important to find hobbies that bring you happiness, whether that be painting, reading, playing an instrument, walking your dog each morning, or watching the sunset on the beach. No matter what brings you joy, your 20s is a time to develop and maintain healthy and happy habits to can carry on throughout your lifetime.
5. Challenging Your Comfort Zone
More than anything, this decade of young adulthood is a period to push yourself to try new things, even if those things might be intimidating. “You live and you learn” is a saying I love to live by; when we try something new, such as going on a date, interviewing for a job, or moving to a new city, if it works out, that’s great! However, if we have a bad experience, we cannot become discouraged; instead, we should learn to forgive ourselves, and try something different next time.
I hope that this article sparked excitement for the days ahead of us. Remember that although life may not be normal for a while, there are small moments of joy in everyday, we just have to find them!