20s – These are the years that will shape the rest of your life.
I’ve recently turned 20-years-old this past summer and while many people didn’t think it was a big deal because I wasn’t “twenty-fun”- it meant that I was no longer a teenager anymore. My generation is filled with millennials who possess so much potential but not many people are utilizing what they have to make something of their lives. So many students in university are worried about partying and meeting new people- they don’t really prioritize school or work. One thing that I’ve learned while attending university is that you’re here to earn a degree- you shouldn’t waste your energy on other bullshit. Your parents (or whoever financially supports you) are paying for you to earn a degree and make a future for yourself. Not for you to worry about who likes you or why there’s drama in your friend group. It sounds really harsh but at the end of the day, it’s true.
Time is a funny concept, it can either go by really fast or super slow. Success takes time. Success isn’t something that’ll happen in a week, a month, or a year. Whatever your definition of success is, it will not happen over night. For all of you 20somethings out there, now is the time to shape your life. Every choice you make right now will lead you to what GPA you have, what experiences you’ll have on your resume, what internship or grad school you’ll be going to, what friends you’ll have by your side into adulthood, and who will be your significant other through it all. Some people criticize Youtubers or young entrepreneurs for being so successful at a young age but how do you think it happened? They were ambitious and they didn’t waste their time.
I was inspired to write this post after listening to a TED Talk with my roommate. Some people criticized the talk because they stated that it put more pressure on young adults to act now when millennials are already filled with anxiety and worries to make something out of their lives. Rather than being discouraging, it was motivational for me. Why are we just sitting around worrying about trivial things when life is so much more than any bullshit that comes our way? What’s stopping us from putting ourselves out there, gaining hands-on experience, and applying to internships? Why are we giving our ambitious hearts to people that are stagnant in their own personal growth? There’s a whole entire world out there. We are only given one life so why waste it living for other people?
Not everyone sees the age of 20 as a big deal but I do. Because 10 years from now, I would like to be settled down in my own place with a steady job that I love and the people that I love by my side. And I know that all of that isn’t going to happen over night. Obtaining a higher position in the workforce takes time, being able to live on your own takes time, and relationships take time. So I’m going to start working on my best life now… and I encourage all of you 20somethings to do the same.
20 and getting started,
Jessica
