As the new generation, you, the 20-something woman, experience generational gap and lots of discrimination in a world dominated by the “political correct” policy. You need to learn to survive immediately if you want to become a successful woman, spouse, and mother. To do this, you need to master a number of things which will help you understand how this wacky world is made. The way you spend your 20s will define you, so make sure you make the most out of this decade. Some of these activities are to be tried once in a lifetime, others are life-long skills, but make sure you try each one of the these things every 20-something woman should start doing.
Embrace a healthy lifestyle.
As a 20-something woman you might have a great, toned body and a slim figure, so you might think you don’t need to take up a healthy lifestyle yet and still rely on Cosmo and chips to get you through the day. A myth about healthy lifestyles: they are restrictive. Ditch this false idea and embrace a rich diet and a good exercise routine which you can stick with for the rest of your life. This must not be restrictive as you must have all the necessary nutriments needed for your energetic life. A healthy lifestyle promotes better health and can keep away chronic diseases like diabetes or heart issues for a lot of years to come.
Learn to breathe deep.
Learning to breathe deep–using your abdomen–will bring you lots of benefits, but to avoid taking up all the space in this article, I will only number a couple of them: good sleep, better posture, a fit body and a positive attitude towards everything around you. Deep breathing is all about using your diaphragm and inflating your lungs entirely. Practice it until you master it, in order to gain all the benefits from this simple lifehack.
Get enough sleep.
The lack of wrinkles and the boosting energy of a 20-something woman are two of the main reasons why young women party all the night and forget to make use of their beauty sleep. But it is time to get enough sleep for the sake of your health and beauty. A good night’s sleep promotes a positive attitude, lots of energy and great skin. Plus, it enhances your memory, as the memories are formed during sleep. Some believe regularly getting a good sleep can help postpone dementia.
Learn to meditate and manage stress.
Meditation is very important for a 20-something woman as life becomes more stressful, while the responsibilities gather with the speed of sound. Yoga and other meditative practices are great ways to manage stress efficiently and achieve a positive state of mind, even in the most unpleasant situations. You also get in touch with your body and learn to listen to it carefully, thus any early sign of disease becomes more visible than before, so you can start healing sooner. Meditation also helps you gain more sensitivity and experience life deeper, as all the sensations will be enhanced.
Define your fashion style.
Fashion has been a matter of importance since women first discovered the wonders of clothes. As you enter your 20s, you should ditch the teenage clothes (most of them) and get a new wardrobe. The new essentials: a little black dress, a clean office outfit for the interview for your dream job, a pair of pants made from wool, pants which fit you now, a skirt and multiple blouses to go with it, and a couple of clothes which make you feel sexy and powerful, regardless what others say about you. Do not forget about underwear as you enter your 20s and turn from a girl into a woman.
Master the great art of make-up.
Make-up is an art, but one can master it with lots of practice. And what time is better to master it than your 20s? Lean how to use subtle make-up to enhance your features, hiding the ones which don’t complement you. Also, look for tutorials and learn how to make stunning make-up to wear at the club. When you’ve mastered this art, you will look great and your confidence will literally boost, turning you into the lighthouse of your friends.
Learn to cook.
The ability to feed yourself is essential, even if you now have someone else to feed you on daily basis. Moreover, cooking is a form of expressing yourself, so you need to master the dishes and put on a great meal out of anything: fruits, veggies, meat or a couple of leftovers. This will also exercise your creativity and ensure a healthy diet.
Become an avid reader.
The Internet is a great source of knowledge, but one must not ditch the real deal. There is nothing more rewarding than curling on the couch with a good book and a glass of wine. A 20-something woman is mature enough to know what she wants, but the real personal depth can only be made by reading. Pick famous books, controversial ones, the Bible, the Quoran, anything you can put your hands on will help you develop and gain more wisdom.
Learn to play chess.
Chess is an old game and exercises the mind a lot, so it can help you stay away from dementia and promotes sharp thinking. Practice chess each time you can, mostly in the stressful periods, as it can lead to a clear head and help you solve your problems. And because it is a game of two, it is a great opportunity to find friends who match your intellect and passions.
Become an efficient financial specialist.
As you hit your new (and hopefully improved) life after you finish your studies, as a 20-something woman you will earn your first money. So it’s time to learn how to spend it wisely, as you also need to start saving. As you are in your 20s, you should keep an eye on your finances and look for ways to save when you go shopping. Read the financial news, stay in touch with the new opportunities and take them as quick as possible, after you analyse the risks and put them in balance with the benefits. And learn how to turn your eyes from those Manolo Blahnik!
Travel solo.
Travelling on your own is frightening, dangerous and awesome. Get some essentials in a backpack and start your freedom adventure now. Travelling alone means you will not have someone else to rely on, so you will learn to get out of tricky situations and fend for yourself. Travelling alone is also a great way to master other points in this list, like cooking and managing finances. Your social life will boost, not to mention that you will learn new things, embrace new habits and learn about the culture of other people.
Learn to touch yourself.
There is no better time to discover yourself than your 20s, so go ahead and learn how to touch your own body. Pleasing yourself is a great way to become aware of your own body and discover what you like and what you don’t.
Ditch the social media and make real friends.
Being social is great, but Facebook & co. are not the way to do it. Close that account and go out and make real friends, not those who just give a like to a post. Relationships are essential, and you will be happier and healthier when you spend time bonding with your friends in front of a coffee or at a concert.
Try an extreme sport at least once.
Extremes are all about it when you hit your 20s, so make sure you do all the things you wanted to do or have been afraid of. Yes, that’s right: experience frighting activities, so you can then state you’ve been there, done that and had overcome your fears. For a girl who is afraid of heights, experience sky-diving or hiking to ditch the fear and welcome the awesomeness. Later in your life, you will thank yourself for this.
Featured photo credit: Hipster Skirmish/Basil Gloo via flickr.com
