Dr. Laura Blog

Being in your 20s is the best of times and the worst of times. You finally have the freedom to explore yourself and the world around you without Mom and Dad telling you no. However, it’s also the decade where you’re maturing into an adult, which means you want to make sure you’re not developing any bad habits.

Here are 9 habits you need to correct while you’re in your 20s:

1. Don’t be egocentric. I’m not suggesting that everyone in their 20s is selfish and narcissistic, but young people do have a tendency to be absorbed in their own worlds. If you do that, you’re going to be very disappointed and frustrated because the world does not revolve around you. Even though you’re struggling to find out who you are and what you’re doing, make a normal routine in your life to perform acts of kindness. If you start being selfless in your 20s, you’ll have a better attitude about life and yourself.

2. Don’t focus on money as the be-all and end-all of what makes you successful and happy. It’s really nice to be able to pay your bills, but money doesn’t make you happy. Money is not a bad thing or a good thing; it’s just a thing. It’s how you look at it and use it. Some people waste money. Others hoard it. Try not to do either. If money is the only thing in your sights, you may miss out on opportunities that will be more meaningful to you later in life.

3. Don’t get married until you’re ready. Many people wish they had experienced more in their 20s, be it work, travel, hobbies, or education. Use this time to expand yourself.  

4. Don’t live in the past. When you’re in your 20s, you have your first opportunity to start looking at your childhood more objectively and stop dragging it around with you. I get so sad when I talk to people in their 40s and 50s who are still dragging their original family pain with them. Take the time now to put it in it’s place.

5. Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Get sleep, eat right, and exercise. If you do these things when you’re young, they’ll become habits when you’re older. 

6. Don’t live without meaning. Without a sense of purpose, you’re going to feel depressed and aimless. Your sense of purpose can change, but there has to be a point to your life other than eating, drinking, partying, playing, or going to school. Everyone on the face of the Earth has a reason for being here. What’s yours?

7. Don’t plan out every detail of your life. A lot of you get OCD planning out how at such and such age you have to be doing this or that, but life doesn’t work that way. Stuff happens. It’s good to have a basic idea of where you want to be and work towards it, but you also need to be flexible.

8. Don’t think the world owes you anything. The world owes you nothing. Just because you’re a good person, doesn’t mean bad things won’t happen to you. You have to accept when things don’t work out and be grateful when they do.  

9. Don’t be around people who hold you back or drag you down. Surround yourself with people who are kind and supportive, have meaningful lives, and value you.