25 Lessons I Learned at 25: Advice for Navigating Your Mid-20's

It's a known feeling that being in your 20's is the most confusing, unpredictable yet exhilarating phase where you're caught between wanting to have your life together and avoiding to fold your laundry. Your mid-20's are this weird in-between phase where you're expected to balance ambition with rest, stability with spontaneity, and self-growth with chaos. Some days, you feel on top of the world and other days, you're randomly crying on your drive home. Through the highs and lows, I've picked up some lessons, some the hard way, some through luck, and some through those that are older (and slightly wiser) than me. So, if you're navigating the chaos of your mid-20's, here are 25 things I learned at 25 (trust me we all need it):

1. Your job does not define you. You are more than your paycheck or job title.

2. It's okay to change your career path. Pivoting is not failure, it's growth.

3. Start saving ASAP. Not a fun thing to do.

4. Quality of quantity in friendships. Small circle of real friends > big circle of acquaintances.

5. It's okay to say no. FOMO is a real thing, trust me I know. But you're not missing out on anything.

6. People grow apart and it's okay. Some friendships are meant to be for a season of your life.

7. Communication solves most problems. A lot of issues and fallouts would be solved if there is proper communication.

8. Prioritize your sleep. Your body is not going to function on 5 hours and an iced coffee.

9. Not everything needs to be an aesthetic. Some things are meant to be lived not curated.

10. Romanticize the small moments. I love myself a good coffee shop run, sunsets on a random day, and late night drives.

11. You live and learn. This is a time to make new mistakes and learn.

12. Create boundaries for yourself. Protect your peace.

13. Learn something. Whether it's going back to school, reading, listening to informative podcasts.

14. Listen to your intuition. Self explanatory.

15. Keep up on your vitamins and nutrition. We're getting old, we need it.

16. Your 20's is not a race. Stop comparing your timelines to someone else's.

17. You don't need external validation. Your worth is not measured by Instagram likes.

18. Rejection is redirection. Something better is in store for you.

19. Value your time. Make time only for those who make you feel good.

20. Stop coming home at 4am on a night out. You'll thank me later.

21. Good things take time. Trust the process.

22. Prioritize yourself. Give yourself the love you would give to others.

23. You are not "too much" for the right people. The people that are meant to be in your life will love you for you.

24. Try different hobbies. Have fun and try new things.

25. Stay focused, keep your eyes on the prize. You will attract everything you want once you start filling your own cup.

Your 20's are supposed to be a chaotic mix of wins, losses, and questionable choices. So, take the risks, romanticize the little things, set boundaries, and don't stress too much, no one actually knows what they're doing. You are doing just fine <3