Valuable Life Advice For Anyone In Their 20s Shared By People Over 40 Years Old
"Pay less attention to what people say, and more attention to what they do."
Life can be quite challenging, especially for people in their twenties who are still trying to figure out what they want to make of themselves. Thankfully, there are always those who have lived longer than we have and can share a tip or two about life.
Being in your twenties is a difficult period; nothing in life is secure, and failure is always something you can't help but think about. Everything seems so complicated, but once you go through it and reflect back on the past, you realize that you could have done many things much better.
Going back in time is not an option for individuals who have already lived a considerable number of years and wish they had discovered certain aspects of life when they were still young.
However, they can share those tips with us and help prevent many people from repeating the avoidable mistakes that inconvenienced them throughout their lives.
A Redditor who goes by the username u/morningperzon made a post on the r/AskReddit community with the following question: "People who are 40+, what’s your advice to people in their 20s?" The user received many interesting replies to their question; scroll down and check them out.
1. "Take care of your body. Exercise to maintain a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health. As you get older, it's much harder to maintain these."
Take care of your body. Exercise to maintain a healthy weight and good cardiovascular health. As you get older, it's much harder to maintain these. "Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases," says Dr. Mark Hyman, a functional medicine expert.
pexels2. "Don't be afraid to do things by yourself. Go to that show, see the movie, take a day trip. Don't miss out on opportunities because no one will go with you."
Dr. William Doherty, family therapist emphasizes the importance of relationships in our 20s, stating, "Investing in your relationships is one of the best decisions you can make for your future." Similarly, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, happiness researcher notes, "Happiness is not just a personal journey; it is deeply connected to the quality of our relationships." These insights highlight that nurturing connections during this pivotal decade can lead to a more fulfilling life.
unsplash3. "Don’t rush to get married. You’re still figuring out who you are. Date, live together, whatever. Just don’t get married before 30."
According to Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, "In your 20s, it's essential to invest in your relationships, as they will be your greatest source of support." She emphasizes the importance of communication and emotional intelligence during this formative decade. Similarly, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a happiness researcher, advises, "Focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment, as these choices will shape your future." These insights remind us that the decisions made in our 20s can have lasting impacts on our personal and professional lives.
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4. "Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh—never mind."
"You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until it has faded. In 20 years, you'll look back at photos and realize how much possibility lay before you," says Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness researcher and author of "Happier" (talbenshahar.com). "Embrace who you are now; you are not as overweight as you imagine," he adds, encouraging self-acceptance and body positivity.
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5. "Go to the doctor and to the dentist regularly."
According to James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits," "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems." This emphasizes the importance of building effective habits in your 20s for long-term success. Additionally, Brené Brown, a renowned researcher on vulnerability and courage, advises, "What we know matters, but who we are matters more." This highlights the significance of personal development and authenticity as you navigate your twenties. For more insights, visit their professional websites.
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6. "You don't need to excel; being average can be extremely fulfilling."
Aspire to be happy with small achievements.Failures can open many unexpected windows.- Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher
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7. "Save. If your job offers a 401k, take advantage of that. If not, open a savings account and put something in it every pay period. Even if you can only afford to put in 5 bucks, it still adds up."
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8. "VERY few companies out there will ever care about you. You should never feel any loyalty to them."
-Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a renowned happiness researcher, advises, "In your 20s, focus on building relationships and experiences rather than accumulating possessions." He emphasizes the importance of emotional connections and personal growth during this transformative decade. Additionally, Jean Chatzky, a financial journalist, suggests, "Start saving early, even if it's a small amount. The power of compound interest is your best friend." These insights highlight the significance of both personal and financial development in one's 20s.
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9. "Travel, use your vacation time, make memories."
Dr. John Gottman, a renowned marriage researcher, emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships, stating, "The key to a successful relationship is not about finding the right person, but about being the right partner." Similarly, Mel Robbins, a motivational speaker, advises young adults to "take action and trust yourself," highlighting the significance of self-confidence in achieving personal goals. These insights from experts can guide those in their 20s to navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and purpose.
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10. "Get. A. Pre-nup."
Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist advises, "In your 20s, focus on building relationships that nourish you. The connections you make now can shape your future." Additionally, David Bach, financial author emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, stating, "Start saving early; your future self will thank you for it." These insights highlight the significance of both personal and financial growth during this pivotal decade.
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11. "If you have a good relationship with your parents, try to see them."
It’s frightening how quickly the years pass, and suddenly they’re gone. As Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, notes, "Time is the most precious resource we have, and we often take it for granted until it's too late." This sentiment resonates deeply, especially as we face unexpected challenges like Alzheimer's disease, making us wish for just a few more hours with our loved ones. Dr. Helen Fisher
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12. "Ghost your toxic friends."
They are as much of a liability to your health and future as any other harmful factors in your life right now.And if you have to ask if they're a toxic friend, they are a toxic friend. Ghost them. Now.- Dr. John Gottman, marriage researcher
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13. "It's never too late to start a new career. Do what you love!"
-Tony Robbins, life coach advises, "The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment." This emphasizes the importance of taking bold steps in your 20s to shape your future. Additionally, Gretchen Rubin, happiness researcher states, "What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while," highlighting the significance of daily habits in achieving long-term success.
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14. "Wear sunscreen."
"If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists," says Dr. Joel Kahn, a cardiologist and wellness advocate. He emphasizes the importance of protecting your skin from harmful UV rays to prevent premature aging and skin cancer. For more insights on health and wellness, visit his website at drjoelkahn.com.Dr. Joel Kahn
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15. "I'm 81 and I really can't distill it down to one thing, so here goes:"
- "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." - James Clear, author- "Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states." - Mel Robbins, motivational speaker- "Eating healthy is not a diet, it's a lifestyle." - Dr. Andrew Weil, integrative medicine expert- "Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." - Dr. Ramani Durvasula, clinical psychologist- "The future depends on what you do today." - Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcherHugs from Gma.
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16. "Brush your teeth."
Daniel Pink, a renowned author and expert on human behavior, emphasizes the importance of pursuing meaningful work: "The most successful people are those who find a way to align their passions with their careers." Additionally, Dr. Brené Brown, a leading researcher on vulnerability and courage, advises, "You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are also worthy of love and belonging." These insights reflect the valuable life lessons shared by those over 40, highlighting the significance of authenticity and purpose in navigating one's twenties.
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17. "Get to know your parents as people."
Ask them all about their early lives and about their parents and other relatives. Write these things down if you can.Before you know it, they will be gone, either physically or mentally, and there will be so many things you want to know.-Dr. Madeline Levine, child psychologist
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18. "Pay less attention to what people say, and more attention to what they do."
Dr. Madeline Levine, a renowned child psychologist, emphasizes the importance of resilience in young adults, stating, "The ability to bounce back from setbacks is crucial in your 20s. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth." Additionally, Tony Robbins, a leading life coach, advises, "Focus on what you can control and take actionable steps towards your goals. Your 20s are the perfect time to build the foundation for your future." These insights highlight the value of perseverance and proactive planning during this pivotal decade.
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19. "Do it. Whatever it is. Take a trip. Start a band. Move to a new city. Do it now when you aren't as tied to a place by obligations."
Dr. William Doherty, family therapist, emphasizes the importance of relationships, stating, "Invest in your relationships; they are the foundation of a fulfilling life." Similarly, Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist, advises, "Prioritize emotional intelligence in your interactions; it will serve you well in all areas of life." These insights remind us that the connections we build in our 20s can shape our future happiness and success.
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20. "Your joints are the first thing to wear out—take care of them."
Tony Robbins, a renowned life coach, emphasizes the importance of taking risks in your 20s, stating, "The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment." Additionally, Dr. John Gottman, a leading relationship expert, advises, "Invest in your relationships; they are the foundation of a fulfilling life." These insights highlight the significance of personal growth and nurturing connections during this pivotal decade.
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21. "Life is short; enjoy! You may have a day or 50 years left; no one knows. Don't put things off for 'your golden years.'"
Life is short; enjoy! You may have a day or 50 years left; no one knows. Don't put things off for 'your golden years.' As Dr. Ian Kerner, a renowned sex therapist, advises, "Life is about experiences, not just milestones. Embrace every moment." You can find more of his insights at iankerner.com.Dr. Ian Kerner
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Tips of any kind or form are always practical and can unexpectedly help you in rough times. These people have lived long enough to share a helpful tip or two about life, and that's priceless.
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