20 Life Lessons I Learned in my Twenties

No, I’m not 30 yet, this girl’s got 3 more years! And no, by no means do I have life figured out. But I will confidently say, I think I’ve found the true ‘Natalie’ in this decade. I attribute that found sense of self to so many life lessons learned. Just in the last seven years, since I turned 20, I’ve traveled internationally, graduated with my Nursing degree, started my first big girl job, married my best friend, bought a house, and now talking about starting a family!

I couldn’t imagine achieving some of these accomplishments I just listed without really listening and learning from my mistakes. If you know me, you know that I am organized, and a creature of habit and routine. By reflecting on life lessons, and turning those life lessons into routine habits, I’m making myself a better Natalie!

And if I’m really being honest, the tragedy of 2020 drama has legitimately sparked some personal reflection. Am I at the point in my life I want to be at this age? Have I met my own personal goals? Where do I see myself in the next few years?

I found that writing down lessons learned, and adhering to daily habits, helped put some personal development into perspective. Let me share with you Twenty Life Lessons I Learned in my Twenties. These life lessons have become habits! I think I’m better for it; and I know the list will only get longer.

Check em out!

20 Life Lessons Turned Habits

1. Be active EVERYDAY. Doesn’t have to be a gym workout, a hike with a friend or walk to a coffee shop counts!
2. Take your vitamins daily. Plan them around your biggest meal of the day so you don’t forget. 
3. Drink a gallon of water daily. Add in lemon, Crystal Lite, or make it herbal tea to help you down a full gallon.
4. Journal to yourself, or write notes to loved ones. Did you know Tay and I keep a notebook to write to each other the nights I work? 
5. Send handwritten Thank You’s in the mail when you receive a gift, or when someone helps you. This means always having stamps/stationary ready to go!
6. Ask the expert in your field ALL the questions (for me, it’s a sweet gal named Jeanine who’s been in Pediatric Emergency Nursing for 40 years!)
7. Listen to your Mama. Whatever it is that you’re going through, she been there, she done that. And you know what? She’s gonna love you regardless.
8. Make your bed every day. Do it. Even if nothing in the day goes as planned, you can celebrate the fact that your bed was made.
9. Learn how to make a budget and stick to it (we use excel, and update the numbers each time we acquire a new bill, or when one of us gets a raise! yay!)
10. Grocery shop for clean meal prep, and use all the food you buy. This doesn’t mean you have to break the bank, we aim for around $5 per meal, each!
11. Pray or meditate. Anywhere!
12. Use a planner/keep a calendar, and write in it religiously. My planner never leaves my side.
13. Write down annual goals; and check in with those goals every few months. Tay is working through his 30 Before 30 this year!
14. If you want a damn Oreo, let yourself eat a damn Oreo. Life will go on. Speaking of which…have you tried the new Caramel Coconut flavor? Life changing.
15. Show up for people; be present for big life events in your loved ones lives. Even if they don’t reciprocate that for you.
16. Keep hard and digital copies of important documents (like loan deeds, tax forms, passports, and insurance info)
17. Know how to dress for success, and know when to be modest versus when to strut your stuff. There is a time and a place for both!
18. Find a creative passion, and an intellectual passion (for me: calligraphy/blogging, and Pediatric Emergency Nursing)
19. Stand up for yourself. If you know you’re right, advocate for yourself! But don’t ruin a relationship over it. 
20. Your path is unique to you! Comparison will only steal your joy – a lesson I have to remind myself of daily!

What life lessons have you learned in an influential decade in your life? Are you a creature of habit and routine like me? Share in the comments below!