THE NEXT JEN

I’m a woman in her mid-twenties and I definitely don’t know it all. In fact, it feels like I thought I knew MUCH more about life ten years ago than I do today! Isn’t it funny how ignorance is bliss?

During my coming-of-age realization that I have A LOT to learn… I’ve faced some tough lessons over the last couple of years and got a little schooled by the great teacher that is LIFE. I’ve come to the conclusion that every minute I’ve kept an open mind, counts. Below, I’ve listed some pieces of advice I’ve been trying to take to heart as I navigate through this time in my life.

Anyone reading who is/has been in their mid-twenties before can probably relate – we need all the help we can get!

GET SOME DAILY EXERCISE.

You’re young and vibrant and full of life – don’t waste these years destroying your body by neglecting it. This is the time to explore how you can make exercise a fun experience, preparing you for a full and enriched life. No longer are you forced into a high school P.E. class or a sport that your parents may have pressured you to play. Whether it be a group class, gym memberships, sports, or walks – try new things and keep active! Our bodies aren’t young forever. Take advantage of what you’ve got – many people wish that they had.

BANISH CLUTTER FROM YOUR LIFE.

Marie Kondo and Netflix may have paved the way for the recent fad – but this is an important lesson for anyone, anywhere, anytime. Too many people clutter their homes and their lives with things they can’t afford, things they don’t like, and things that certainly DON’T bring them joy. “Live within your means” is the wisest piece of financial advice anyone has ever given me. Save up for the things you really want. Take a minute to breathe and think before you make that impulse buy. So often, that instant moment of happiness that comes with purchases, evaporates the next moment. Save your future self the trouble of dealing with unnecessary clutter.

Live within your means.

FEED YOUR INITIATIVE.

There’s no special trick when it comes to completing a goal you’ve set for yourself or accomplishing a dream. You need to start. You need to get your foot out the door, whether you’re barefoot and unprepared or not. For example, if someone wants to be a writer, they will NEVER become one until they begin to write. Malcolm Gladwell says 10,000 hours is what it takes to master your craft, whatever that is for you. So do the work. Get moving!

FAILURE IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

Everyone experiences failure in some capacity or another. What makes the difference is those who let it consume them. We experience failure – you ARE NOT a failure. Failure hurts. But it can teach you things that winning never could. Be a student of failure. Overcome, and success feels that much sweeter. One of my favorite quotes of all time is about failure – by Janet Fitch: “The phoenix must burn to emerge.“

The phoenix must burn to emerge.

Janet Fitch

STOP LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO “COMPLETE” YOU.

You are a whole person. One day, you will meet a whole other person. You may choose to love each other and commit for the rest of your days, and that is the most beautiful thing in the world. Be the person you want to fall in love with.

TALK TO YOURSELF LIKE YOU WOULD TO A PERSON YOU LOVE.

You will begin to believe it. You will begin to become the person you want yourself to be. The constant put-downs in your brain do you no favors. They don’t help you be a better friend and they certainly won’t make you a better person. If we were all half as nice to ourselves as we are to strangers on the street, our brains would be much happier places to be.

It we were all half as nice to ourselves as we are to stranger on the street, our brains would be much happier places to be.

I leave you with this – in the world of social media and efforts to impress everyone around you, just know that everyone has their set of obstacles to overcome. We are all human. ❤️