Dear 25 year old Debbie,
You are one hot bitch! Too bad you don’t see that. In fact, there are lots you don’t know so here’s 25 things it would have been nice to know at age 25. (In no particular order)
- Be independent and willing to take chances
- Be adventurous
- LOVE
- Discover the authentic you
- Don’t let your job define you
- Live in a big city
- Learn a language and keep up with it
- Have dance as a part of your life
- Make a list of things which make you happy and do them
- Don’t worry what other people think
- The sooner you realize it’s not all about you the better
- Pay it forward
- Wear sunscreen
- Seek out mentors
- Get your MBA
- Don’t believe your invincible – understand the gift of life
- Never be afraid to say hello to someone or start a conversation
- Invent YOLO
- Be strong and when you can’t, rely on the strength of your family & friends
- Look at life as a journey and the bumps in the road as life lessons
- Meditate
- Be honest and open with your parents
- Strive to have meaningful relationships in work and life
- Don’t ever believe anyone is better than you
- Don’t ever believe you are better than anyone
The truth is when you were 25 it was a different world and hard to compare to being 25 today. Today 25 year olds do many of the things I’ve suggested above because they are more adventurous and independent. Each generation is provided more resources and opportunities than the generation before. Be grateful for that. When the older generation would tell me “just be happy” it seemed so simplistic but now I know it isn’t. It can be very complicated but understanding that will make life easier.
So fasten your seat belt and be ready for a hell of a ride. Everything will turn out wonderful in the end but it won’t be easy. Life isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to be LIVED so live life to the fullest and BE HAPPY.
