10 Little But Life Changing Reminders Every 20-Something Needs To Hear Right Now

1. You shouldn’t have to change someone to be compatible with him or her.

Whether it’s a romantic relationship or simply a friendship, you have to recognize that people are who they are and you likely won’t be able to change the fundamental parts about them. Plus, when you find the right people to be around, you’ll realize that you won’t need to change them at all. They’ll seamlessly fit with you just like a puzzle piece.

2. Your circle of friends gets smaller, but the quality of people gets better.

Simply said, it’s truly about the net worth of your network. You have to be willing to let people go who don’t lift you up and make you a better person. Avoid people who cut you down, dull your shine or use you. You’ll likely lose a few close friendships, but you’ll also make room for new, wonderful people to enter your life.

3. Never underestimate the power of writing letters or making a phone call.

As digital natives, our generation relies heavily on texting, Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram and email to have private conversations. I’ve noticed that people truly appreciate when you take the time to contact them personally. I still get butterflies when I receive a piece of handwritten mail. Even a phone call to a loved one is more intimate and exciting than just a quick text message.

4. Remember that you work to live, you don’t live to work.

Don’t get me wrong, I consider myself a #GirlBoss down to my core. I work tirelessly for promotions and professional recognition and I absolutely love what I do. However, when it comes to your job and career, there will always be more work to do. The work never stops, and you need to have the wisdom to know when to call it a day. If work stress and strain are impacting your personal life, it’s probably time to re-evaluate your professional career. A job is designed to provide you the means to live, but it shouldn’t consume your entire life. You need a little downtime to recharge every now and again.

5. Enough is never enough. And more doesn’t always mean more.

Be satisfied with what you have and where you are in your life. Most driven people become so consumed with obtaining their next goal that they forget to enjoy the fruits of their labor. True happiness is found at the intersection of satisfaction and gratification.

6. Don’t drink to be happy, drink when you’re happy.

Go out and celebrate your work promotion with a martini. Grab a glass of wine with friends on the weekends and gab about the latest episode of Scandal. I’ve found that it’s best to avoid drinking when you’re sad or feeling low as it always makes the slump that much more difficult to get out of.

7. Health is the most underrated luxury.

It’s funny that we don’t realize how important our health is until it is compromised. Whether it’s catching the flu at a really inopportune time or a larger health scare that requires medical attention, we don’t truly focus on our health until it becomes an issue. This goes for mental health, too. It’s interesting to think about how closely mental and physical health are related, and you’ll begin to see both run in parallel paths. When you feel yourself slipping, take a “mental health day” from work, attend an extra Vinyasa class on the weekend or go for a run even though you don’t really want to. You’ll thank yourself later.

8. Worrying is like paying interest on a debt you don’t actually owe.

When you’re in your twenties, there are a number of uncertainties that can cause stress and anxiety from money to relationships to career. However, it’s best not to obsess or overanalyze these things since worrying won’t change the outcome. Easier said than done, right? Here’s the truth: you can’t always change the situation you are in, but you can change the way you think about it. Good perspective is the first step in warding off any potential anxiety or worry.

9. Let yourself experience life’s unexpected ups and downs.

When things don’t go as planned, your instant reaction will probably be to fight feelings of anger or sadness. Instead, let yourself experience and feel those types of emotions. This will help you become a better, more empathetic person in the long run. Conversely, when you’re experiencing something new and incredible, ride that high for as long as possible. Wring these moments out like a sponge and soak up just how wonderful they actually are.

10. Know when to throw punches and when to roll with them.

This is arguably the hardest concept to understand. Sometimes you just have to let petty things (and petty people) go, even when you feel like sticking up for yourself. Often times, defending negative comments or accusations makes them even more visible than before. There will be many people who try to dampen your day or attack your character, but once you reach a certain level of self-confidence and awareness, these insignificant conversations won’t even be on your radar anymore. You’ll be absolutely formidable.