In light of my 26th birthday being last week, I thought it would be nice to write down a few key lessons I have learnt over the years. So far during my 20s I have learnt some cruel and crucial lessons which I am grateful for... it's been a wild ride so bring on the next 4 years.
Participating in sport when you’re young shapes your work ethic, discipline, and dedication for the future. I hands down feel like I owe my 'success', career, and relationship with fitness to my background in sport. It has meant health has always been at the forefront of my priorities.
Family can break your heart too.
Get good at remembering peoples names and pronouncing them correctly - it goes further than you think. A little tip: Repetition plants the name into your brain more effectively.
Invest in experiences, not things. It is the experiences that you will hold close to your heart. Direct your energy into creating long-lasting memories and they will outlive any trend that is popping up.
People are in your lifetime for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Don’t try and make them fit where they aren’t intended.
You might become an entirely different person in your 20s, and that is sooo okay. Your 20s are arguably the most transformative years of your life. Many believe that your 20s are when you learn the most about yourself, so you are growing into more of who you’re meant to be.
Your gut is your second brain, invest in understanding it and find what makes it function optimally.
Therapy is the goat and not something to be ashamed of.
You’re the average of the people who surround you. “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future”. The people who surround us greatly influence our thoughts, behaviours, and ultimately shape who we become. Choose your circle and environment wisely.
Understand negotiation and never settle. Everything is negotiable. Read "How To Win Friends and Influence People" - Dale Carnegie. It helped me a lot. A golden rule is to treat others how you wish to be treated.
Read the fine print.
It’s okay to not have your shit together. Life happens and it is wonderful and terrifying all at the same time. Just aim to put your best foot forward every day and you will be okay.
Growth is never linear.
'Success' is never linear.
Chasing happiness is depressing, finding contentment is game changing. Here is an unfortunate paradox: the more people want happiness, the less likely they are to achieve it. Don't underestimate the power of practicing gratitude.
Connecting to your inner child is powerful and healing.
You can learn something from everyone. Be a sponge. Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can... there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.
"Comparison really is the thief of joy". The famous quote by Theodore Roosevelt from the late1800's is still just as relevant especially now with social media being so imbedded into our day-to-day lives.
Becoming self aware gives you the power to influence outcomes.
Collagen is elite.
You’re going to feel lost, use this time to invest in your body, knowledge, and mental health. Society puts a lot of pressure on people in their 20s to “figure out” their lives. Just remember you are always on time for your own life.
Grind culture is a slippery slope, setting boundaries and working on productivity is key. High cortisol is not cute! Burnout will be inevitable.
Don’t make excuses, listen and apologise. Taking responsibility can be a lot easier said than done, but admitting you are wrong in the first place can go a long way in repairing the damage you might have caused.
Keeping a nail file in the car is a weird one but a good hack to always have nice nails. Whip it out if you’re too early somewhere or waiting for someone.
Low maintenance friendships are the best friendships.
Just because things don’t work out the way you wanted them to, doesn’t mean they’re not working out the way they’re supposed to. Rejection is painful in the moment, but think of it as redirection. One day you will be over the moon that 'that thing' or person didn't work out, because there was something or someone better that came along.
Lots of love!!!!
Baylee
