I am big on personal reflection. At the end of each year, I think back to how much has happened, including the lessons I have learned. Each year of your life is pivotal, especially in your twenties. Being 22 years old and a senior in college, I definitely have some advice to offer. I have curated a thought-out list of 25 lessons I learned or faced in 2025. I may not have everything right or know the best ways to handle certain situations, but this approach has helped me grow into the strongest version of myself. Everyone’s journeys are different, but it doesn’t hurt to take advice with an open mind. These lessons are strictly based on my own personal experience and my perspective. I’m hoping they can offer some insight to the readers.
1. The time you invest in yourself are acts of self-love
Discovering a new hobby, exercising, preparing nutritious foods, following a strong sleep schedule, implementing beneficial habits, following a skin care routine, creating boundaries, etc. All of these are examples of acts of self-love. Just recognize it as that to admire the hard work and effort all done for yourself and your own personal benefit.
2. Take the leap of faith
You never know if you don’t just try. The worst that can happen is that it doesn’t work for you. But what if it does? You won’t ever know till you try it. Maybe you even open a whole new door into your life. We can’t grow if we don’t push ourselves and try new things. If it doesn’t work out, you get the honor of knowing you tried.
3. Don’t hold back on your creativity
Stop making excuses for yourself and let your creative side unleash. Creativity is freedom. Let go of the perfectionist tendencies and just be free. That drawing can be imperfect, but it’s still art. Create fun outfits just because. Try new makeup looks that you’ve seen online. Stop holding yourself back.
4. Always put your own needs first
It’s okay to be selfish at times. Create boundaries for yourself. Listen to your needs and stop prioritizing others before yourself.
5. Nostalgia is a feeling to be grateful for
As gut-wrenching nostalgia can feel, we need to also understand it’s a feeling to appreciate. Feeling nostalgia for a memory or feeling proves that we have lived through such important events that are worth remembering. It should almost be taken as an act of gratitude that you have something to hold onto. You have memories that have filled your cup and made life even better. Although it is a moment from the past, be happy for your past self to have that endeavor at the time they did. Reflect and remember these times; they are worth cherishing.
6. Mobility and stretching are not stressed as much as they should be
These forms of body movement are crucial to us as we age, but they are so overlooked. Our joints and muscles tighten up the less we take care of them. The body also stores trauma, so it’s important for your emotional well-being to stretch and relieve those components trapped in your body.
7. Overconsumption is way too normalized
It’s actually a problem, but we are only looking at surface-level needs and ignoring the concerns surrounding it. The media is to blame for this, but that’s a whole conversation to be had.
8. Reciprocate energy
Don’t drain yourself for others when they offer you nothing. Only give what you receive. This is how kindness gets taken advantage of. Help out when needed, offer advice, but don’t drain yourself for others who don’t think twice about your needs.
9. Follow your skins needs, not the trends
Trends are fun and cool until they’re built on lies. Reaching for that viral product everyone talks about doesn’t necessarily make it a good product. Ask yourself, is this talked about because it’s trending, or because it’s a genuinely solid product?
10. The best form of reassurance or advice comes from someone who’s been through it before you
There’s credibility behind the advice of someone who has shared a similar experience to yours. They know what they’re talking about because they lived through it. Trust it over an outside perspective.
11. You can be both comfortable and stylish at the same time
No one says you have to be uncomfortable to be stylish. You just have to find those good quality pieces that are made well and fit well. Comfort is key to our everyday lives, but that doesn’t mean you have to look simple while doing it. Experiment, be open-minded, and search around a little – you may find exactly what you need. It’s possible to achieve both comfort and style with some added effort.
12. Sometimes bandaids need to be ripped
The hard truth is, sometimes you have to face what it is you have been avoiding, so it stops subconsciously weighing you down. Don’t let that fear hold you back; face it so you can move on.
13. Vision boards work
Visualization is a form of manifestation. What better way to become your dream self than by visualizing every element that shapes it? It’s definitely worth trying.
14. Self-doubt is often wrong
We build our fears on worry, and worry is created subconsciously. Unless you have a specific event that accounted for your fears, it’s likely that what you’re so afraid of is hypothetical. Stop doubting your abilities, and you may shock yourself.
15. It always gets better
You never know it at the moment, but it does.
16. Forgive, don’t forget
People in our lives will do things that hurt us. Instead of letting it consume you, I have learned it is best to move on. However, don’t fully forget the hurt it caused you, especially if it is repetitive. That memory is something you hold onto so that in the future you can create new boundaries.
17. Value the love that is offered to you
No one is required to love and care for you; it’s all optional. Appreciate those who truly do.
18. Don’t waste your time on someone who brings more negatives than positives into your life
Really take the time to consider if this person is worth your energy. Don’t surround yourself with people who bring you down or don’t add any good.
19. Go to your appointments
Seriously, stop pushing it off. Take care of yourself and go to the doctor. Don’t let your avoidance catch up to you.
20. Eating should be enjoyable
Find what you like. Experiment, research, save recipes. Make your meals a highlight of your day. Don’t let it be a chore.
22. You can have multiple friends to fulfill multiple needs
Different friends may fulfill different needs, and that’s okay. Not everyone holds all the characteristics you need in your friendships. This is why it’s okay to have more than one best friend. It’s a lot of pressure to have those expectations for one person.
23. Wear what you want
No one actually cares, and if you think they do, they will forget it almost immediately after. Express yourself and stop caring how you are perceived.
24. Admitting wrongdoing is much harder than the act of wrongdoing
It’s easy to cross someone until you’re caught. Be prepared to be confronted if you’re gonna wrong someone.
25. You can touch into your past without backtracking – it’s closure
Working through your trauma, your past struggles, or even haunting memories is how you move on from them. Avoidance delays healing. Do what you have to do, whether it’s spaced or all at once, whatever serves you best.