What my Twenties Have Taught Me (So Far)

As seen on: Fairytales are True

I am turning twenty-five in a few months (in August) and I can't believe it to be honest. But here's a list of things I have learnt so far!

here

• Yes, we are still so young. People who choose to get married and have children now do so because they want to, not because they have to. And I respect their choice.

• You don't have to dye your hair in order to hide grey hair, you can get highlights/low lights; grey hair would blend in (not so) perfectly. It keeps my hair relatively healthier compared to when I dye it.

• That I can work and do my masters and graduate with high honors (granted, my job at the time wasn't so demanding) but I did it nonetheless, and I am proud of myself.

• Little brothers and sisters grow up so fast. Make time for them, because they do grow quickly, without you noticing. (I started doing so recently as I started noticing my almost 11 year old brother is as tall as I am, I also found out his shoes now fit me.)

• Whether or not they express it, your parents are proud of you. The arguments happen only because they miss their little baby. (You will always be their little baby) I live with my parents, and they sometimes find it hard to accept that I now have a life of my own. My dad even got offended once when I said I buy everything for myself (and don't really need any money from him)

• Only go to weddings you don't want to miss. Not every wedding you are invited to would matter. There will come a time when everyone you know is getting married (now) - ONLY attend the weddings of those you truly care about. Because, I don't want to buy new dresses and I also don't want to feel burdened during someone's wedding when this is their big day, you know? I don't want to be the source of negative energy.

• Jump on the bed. Just like you used to 20 years ago. It always makes me feel so fresh and carefree.

• Listen to your grandmother's story(s), the million times she tells it (them). I do it with a smile on my face. (as I text the boyfriend to complain when I get bored)

• Good friends last. I still talk to friends I made in middle school, and maybe two out of the ones I made during my undergraduate years. I made GREAT friends at my old job, and those are people I truly care for and miss so much. Then there are the friends you just find. These should last you a long while.

• Avoiding the mall altogether is the best way to save money. I now only go shopping when I need something. Window shopping never works for me, I always end up buying things that I don't necessarily need.

• If you are going to pay money for a service, it has to be good. Don't accept something that is sub-par when you are paying for it. Accepting something that is not up to par is a waste of money you will miss by the end of the month.

• It is perfectly normal, and advisable even, to totally freak out when you realise you have been in your comfort zone for too long. Step outside your comfort zone, it's the only way for people to grow. When I realised I stopped learning at my old job, it started to get me depressed, I would leave the office everyday feeling down, after the revolution, it was impossible for someone to find a job, I started applying to different jobs, and resigned before I was sure I was going to find one. It was a risk that I took, and I am so thankful I did.

• Always have a pen and paper with you. Nothing beats pen and paper.

• Women really do mature before men, or at least more quickly. I don't know why or how, I don't know if this is sexist of me to say. But, it is mostly true. And I am beginning to notice it more and more now. A twenty-four year old woman is mostly more mature than a twenty-four year old man.

• The older I am, the younger everyone else looks. (they are a bit annoying, too) I hope to God I wasn't half as annoying as I find 16-18 year olds today.

• Hanging out with a young crowd every now and then is great! Not the annoying ones. The talented ones who inspire you, who make you have faith in "that generation" (I just made myself sound SO old) but you know what I mean, right? I am thankful to have found that group of people who give me hope and faith in humanity, who just remind me that age is just a number, essentially.
• Sometimes, it is better to think before you speak, spontaneity isn't always a good thing. ESPECIALLY during an argument, when I am PMSing and when I am really, really angry. My dad (only recently) taught me that the more you care about someone, the more you need to think about what you are about to say. (I don't necessarily agree, but I shall try)

• It is time for you to give up on a relationship - or give up in general -  when you find yourself asking "why am I doing this to myself?"

• Never, EVER, tell anyone you hate them. Hate is a big, bad, hurtful word. It's a consuming feeling - never hate anyone. You can dislike people, just don't hate them. When my sister and I were little kids, we argued and each ended up telling the other that she hates her, my mum put us in her car and drove halfway to my paternal grandmother's house (an hour away) saying "I will not accept or submit to having children who use the word "hate"..." I think that was around 18-20 years ago, and I still remember it very clearly. We ended up aplogizing and my mum took us home, my sister and I are closer than we realise now (I have two sisters and a brother, this story is about my sister who is 18 months younger than I am) I cheated a bit, this one here is something I learnt before twenty, but have come to appreciate even more in my twenties.