Top 5 Priorities I'm Embracing in My 20s for Personal Growth and Success
In this blog post, I'll be sharing five key priorities I'm focusing on during this transformative period. From unravelling the layers of self to building a solid foundation for the future, let's dive into these essential aspects of life that deserve our attention.
My Experience So Far…
I’m 24, and I’ve experienced a lot of common 'twentysomething struggles,' one of which is navigating my relationships. This includes forgiving my parents, making time for my (long-distance) boyfriend, being open in my new friendships, as well as coming to the acceptance of when old ones fade…
I’ve also been trying to discover my career path. Should I settle for a stable job or be brave and go after something less conventional?
Then there's the finances. Oh boy. I don’t know where you live, but Canada is facing some massive economic issues. Two that are affecting me the most are the housing crisis and the rise in food prices (well, the rise in everything, really). So, managing my finances, saving, budgeting – all the works – is a bit of a struggle.
We all know I’m not a downer, so although it can be a very stressful time, it can also be quite transformative and fun.
To maximize this time in my life, I’ve narrowed down five main things I’m prioritizing in my twenties for navigating these challenges and to set the proper groundwork for a successful future.
First off – What is ‘Success’?
When you hear the word “success,” what comes to mind?
Most people would think of financial freedom, achieving a prestigious job, receiving a promotion, or having the freedom to travel whenever you want.
The problem is that all of these concepts revolve around the idea of money. I aim to reframe (or detox) this mindset.
For me, success is not defined by how well I performed in school, the balance in my bank account, or my social status.
Success is the ability to experience love and reciprocate that love to others.
Success is being able to wake up with excitement for the day ahead.
Success is recognizing the right time to shut down the computer and embrace the outdoors.
Success is those moments when I find myself fully present and at peace.
Why is this mindset-shift so important?
If you approach the following five tips for boosting your chances of fame, wealth, and status, you are destined for disappointment. Sorry for being so blunt, but that’s the reality.
You see, all those aspirations are ego-driven. While they might offer temporary euphoria, that surge of dopamine will eventually diminish, leaving you craving more.
I'm not suggesting that aiming for a promotion or pursuing travel aspirations is wrong, but I urge you to remember that life's true beauty resides in the small moments. Similarly in leadership, you need something much deeper than a good resume to be of influence.
If you still need convincing, I challenge you to list down your favourite moments you've encountered so far in life. You'll likely realize that the most cherished instances are the simple ones – often involving loved ones, and connection. The more you connect with people, the more you can positively influence them. That is where great leadership lies.
Ok, now that we’ve got that covered, let’s dive into these priorities.
01. Self-Discovery: Unveiling the Authentic You
Get off social media and embrace solitude as an opportunity for self-reflection. While social media offers the wonderful ability to connect, it can also make you feel behind if you’re not being mindful of the content you’re consuming.
When you spend more time alone – free of outside influences, you learn more about who you really are… The more you know about yourself, the more aspects you can love.
Understand your strengths and weaknesses (which guide areas for improvement)
Embrace your values (integral for both life and relationships)
Acknowledge your passions (whether for hobbies or potential careers).
Most importantly – actively seek out new experiences, whether it’s travelling solo or picking up a new hobby. Each new discovery brings you closer to understanding what truly fuels your soul.
02. Skill Development: Lifelong Learning Beyond the Classroom
Education doesn't end with graduation; it's an ongoing journey. While traditional schooling has its merits, the digital age offers boundless resources for self-directed learning.
Online courses
Workshops
Books
Podcasts
Youtube
Remember when you reflected on your weaknesses? Here is the perfect time to develop those skills! You can acquire skills in any aspect of your life that requires more attention.
The book I’m currently reading is called The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. van der Kolk who explores the impact of trauma on the mind and body, emphasizing how traumatic experiences can become stored within the body, leading to various psychological and physical symptoms.
03. Financial Literacy: Empowering Your Future
Learning to manage your finances is something we all wish we learned in school. Sadly, we didn’t, but learning financial literacy early will help you lay the groundwork for a stable future. Here’s a few things I’m doing:
Tracking cash-flow: I track all my income (mainly my paycheck), and then I set up how much I can spend per month so that I will still be saving (separating it by needs, wants + debt/invest) This setup is the only way I can actually budget on a low-salary.
Savings account: Any money left over for the month, I put it into a high-interest savings account so there isn’t any money just sitting there.
Credit score: I pay everything with my credit card to constantly build up my credit score (just make sure you’re paying it off on time) It’s important to have a good credit score for any future loans you may need.
Investing: I am constantly reading into new articles, or books to learn further about investing. Not going to lie – it’s SUPER confusing, but I’m slowing learning more. There’s also crypto that I’m looking into but I don’t know much so I will keep you all posted on that!
04. Building Relationships: Nurturing Connections That Matter
Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, human connection is vital.
In your 20s, it’s important to prioritise relationships that uplift and inspire you. Good relationships have been shown to promote greater self-esteem, faster healing, and overall happiness.
Learn more: Making Friends as an Adult: Quality over Quantity & the Feeling of Loneliness
Additionally, venture beyond your comfort zone and network for potential career opportunities. I know we like to stick to online networking, but nothing is better than real face-to-face interaction. Go to seminars or talk to more people about their personal careers and connections, because it can shape your professional growth in unexpected ways!
05.Health + Wellbeing: Balancing Body, Mind, and Soul
Your well-being encompasses more than just physical health. Nourish your body with nutritious food and regular exercise, but also remember to grant yourself the gift of rest and joy.
Constantly seek activities that bring happiness and fulfilment, while making time for hobbies that invigorate your spirit. In the pursuit of a thriving life, finding equilibrium between work, play, and self-care is essential.
In summary, the focus on self-discovery ensures that I'm staying on the path that's meant for me (not what others want or what I feel pressured to do). This focus allows me to work on the skills that are my weaknesses or transform a passion into a career. Financial literacy has always been important, and by learning to manage my finances early, I can allocate enough time to pursue my passions. Simultaneously, concentrating on my relationships and maintaining a sense of balance between work and leisure prevents the risk of burnout in life.
Those are 5 things I am focusing on anyway…do you relate to them? Are you focusing on anything different? Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo,
Bianca
MEET THE WRITER
Hi! I’m Bianca Venchiarutti. I started this blog fresh out of university (and in the midst of an identity crisis). To regain a sense of purpose in my life I dove into multiple personal development books and they humbled me in the profound amount of information I must still learn—and unlearn.
That’s where the “detox” came from! Unlearning is becoming even more valuable for us “twentysomethings” than just acquisitive learning. Although I don’t know everything, I will share with you the knowledge I gather along the way :)
