Your twenties are arguably the biggest chunk of time in which you make (and learn from) a multitude of mistakes. We all get het up and worry when we make mistakes – from the small to the large. However, life is a classroom and often having these hiccups is the best way of progressing, growing and realising what you really want and need in your life.
- Okay, so you’ve graduated – with a degree that is completely wrong for what you want to do. That’s alright! Whoopi Goldberg started off as a bricklayer! Your fate is not sealed by what subject you studied in higher education.
- Dating someone totally wrong for you. (Well, now you know)
- Working a job that you hate. Let’s face it: your first job is not going to be your dream job.
- Working four consecutive jobs you hate. (It can take some time and realisation before you find your ideal career)
- Giving that person who was totally wrong for you a second chance. (Ok, well now you know)
- Spending your money on stupid things. Yes, you chose that coat over food this month but…
- Giving them a third chance. (Will you ever learn?)
- Thinking you can drink as much as you did in Uni. Woops – being hungover at work is not fun!
- Following someone else’s dream. Wait, I don’t actually want to be an accountant…
- Leaving your dream job for the love of your life. Or leaving the love of your life for your dream job. (Chances are, you chose the thing that mattered more in the long run)
- “Reinventing” yourself with a questionable haircut, piercing or tattoo. (Better yet, cut your own hair) Now your future children will have some fabulous photos to laugh at down the line.
- Dismissing your parent’s advice. Or following your parent’s advice, when really you know it’s not what’s right for you.
- Pretending to know adult things, but really, really not knowing adult things. Taxes? Bills? Insurance? How to change a lightbulb?
- Thinking you can eat like you did when you were a teenager. (I still love you, carbs, but I’m going to have to see other food groups…)
- Drifting away from old friendships. It’s never fun to lose touch with someone, but if you’re really friends, you’ll find your way back to each other.
- Thinking you’re all grown up now. Ha.
- Feeling like everyone else is doing better than you. But actually no one has it together! They’re all just as scared and confused and envious and hungry as you are!
- Avoiding breaking up with someone out of fear.
- Wasting large periods of time re-watching TV shows you’ve already watched. You can’t spend every waking moment obsessing about how uncertain your future is.
- Failing. Because succeeding will mean so much more once you’ve had a few knockbacks.
So smile! Most people learn best from their mistakes. We’re only human, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Everything happens for a reason.
