10 Things I Wish I Knew in My 20s (That I Live By in My 30S)

There are a lot of things I thought mattered in my 20s that didn’t.
And a lot of things I overlooked that actually changed everything.

Your 20s are messy.
You’re figuring it out, making mistakes, trying to keep up, trying to become someone all at the same time.

But if I could sit down with my younger self, these are the things I’d tell her:

1. Take care of your skin and wear sunscreen.
You don’t need an expensive 12-step routine, but you do need consistency.
Wash your face. Moisturize. Wear sunscreen every single day.
Future you will thank you.

2. Everyone has different priorities; figure out yours.
Some people want the big house.
Some want freedom.
Some want to travel.
Some want stability.

There is no right answer, but there is a right answer for you.
And you need to be honest about what that is.

3. Stop living outside your means to keep up.
No one is handing out awards for looking rich.
And most people you’re comparing yourself to are in debt.

Live within your means. Build something real.
That’s the flex.

4. Find your people and love them fiercely.
Not surface-level friendships. Not convenient friendships.
Your people.

The ones who show up. The ones who are honest. The ones who want the best for you.

Hold onto them. Pour into them.
Clap for them. Celebrate them.
That kind of love will come back to you.

That’s what makes life good.

5. Trust your intuition.
If the vibes are off, they’re off.

You don’t need proof.
You don’t need validation.
You don’t need to overanalyze it.

That feeling is enough. Listen to it.

6. Not everyone is entitled to your time.
Protect your time.
Protect your energy.
Protect your peace.

Just because someone has access to you doesn’t mean they deserve it.

7. Stop shopping your feelings.
Walking the aisles at TJ Maxx or Hobby Lobby when you’re sad isn’t self-care; it’s avoidance.

You don’t need more stuff.
You need to feel your feelings and deal with them.

8. Learn how to take care of your life, not just live in it.
Make your appointments.
Pay your bills on time.
Keep your car maintained and your tires safe.
Know where your money is going.
Keep your space in a place that feels good to come home to.

It’s not glamorous, but this is what a stable life is built on.

9. Get outside more than you think you need to.
Fresh air, sunlight, and movement fix more than you realize.
Go for the walk. Sit in the sun. Open the windows.
It’s simple, and it works.

10. Build a life that actually works for you.
Not one that looks good online.
Not one that impresses other people.

A life that you can afford.
A life that feels peaceful.
A life that you don’t constantly need a break from.

You don’t have to have it all figured out.
You just have to start making better choices, one at a time.

Because the goal isn’t to look like you have a good life.

It’s to actually have one.

Pour your coffee, stay awhile

-Kayla