10 LIFE LESSONS I’VE LEARNED IN MY 20S

Hey, y’all! Today marks the end of an era. Today, I turn 30, which is exciting and scary. I am excited because I keep hearing that your 30s are great and that is when you finally feel settled about yourself.  But scary because my 30s are when I’m supposed to really be an “adult” and I don’t feel that way at all.

My 20s were not an easy journey. There were many difficulties and sometimes it felt like I had more losses than wins. Nevertheless, I persisted and learned a lot from the last ten years that I would not trade for anything in the world. Please note that these are lessons that I learned that may not necessarily apply to you.

1. TRUST GOD ALWAYS

My faith and relationship with God are very important to me. My 20s has truly tested both of these things. There were times where I leaned on my own understanding, rather than God’s; I tried to do things my way instead of His way; I trusted others instead of Him. No matter what I did, God always showed up and out! Further reminding me that I should always trust Him.  This lesson is the most important lesson for me because I learned when I trust God, everything works out.

2. EVERYTHING HAS ITS SEASON

Everything and I mean everything, has its season. Sometimes people, places, and things are only supposed to be in your life for a season to teach you a lesson. When you recognize that, you will not force things to work for an hour when it was only supposed to last a minute.

3. ALWAYS SPEAK YOUR TRUTH

This is a lesson that I am still learning. You always need to speak your truth even if your voice shakes. No one understands your visions but you, so don’t allow anyone to speak for you! When you discover your truth, shout it from the mountaintops. Trust me, you’ll be free.

4. EVERYONE HAS THEIR STRUGGLES; YOURS ISN’T THE WORST

Sometimes I get so caught up in my issues and struggles that I forget that life is hard for everyone. We all have our individual journeys that have many struggles. Understanding this will allow you to be empathic to everyone and be kind.

5. WHEN LIFE KNOCKS YOU DOWN, GET UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF, AND KEEP GOING

I know this is super cliché but it’s so true. When life knocks you down, you can’t stay down; you have to keep moving. It’s okay to cry, be angry, or hurt, but you have to get up and keep swinging, keep pressing, get going.

6. EXPERIENCE ISN’T ALWAYS THE BEST TEACHER

This is a statement that my mother has always said throughout my life and I never quite understood it until I experienced it for myself. What she meant was not everything in life you have to experience. Sometimes you should heed the advice of someone wiser that understands and has been through a similar situation so that you don’t have to experience the same adverse consequences.

7. TRUST YOUR INTUITION

9 times out 10, I trust and follow my intuition and then down that line I see why my intuition was telling me to do or not to do something. The other 10% of the time that I don’t follow my intuition, something bad always happens! Listen to your intuition; it will not steer you wrong. That’s why we have it! Use it and listen to it.

8. EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON

This! I say this all of the time! And it’s so true! I can list many situations where X happened because Y was going to happen. It’s easy to get caught up with what ‘s happening in your life right now but sometimes you need to look at the big picture. Because what’s happening in your life now may be the prerequisite for something bigger and greater to occur later!

9. YOU CAN’T LOVE ANYONE ELSE BEFORE YOU LOVE YOURSELF

It has been a journey to get where I am about loving myself. I’ve wrestled with self-esteem issues, body issues, etc. Until I got to the point where I loved every part of me, there was no way that I could reciprocate love to others- whether that be love through friendship, family, or a significant other. To give love, you need to have love.

10. YOU WON’T SHINE BRIGHTER WHEN YOU DIM SOMEONE ELSE’S LIGHT

This is another important lesson. Dimming someone else’s light does not make you a good person, it just shows how much more growing up you need to do. We can all win. We can all be in the sun. Why? Because we all have our individual purpose and gift that will put us on the path to greatness, whatever that greatness will be.

As I move into my 30s, I know that it will be one helluva ride. I can’t wait to see what it all brings!

What are some lessons that you’ve learned thus far in your life?

As always, thanks for stopping by!