When I grew up, I remember my mom telling me that life is often the best teacher as it puts you through too many experiences, both good and bad. Yet, although mistakes aren’t bad, per se, sometimes it helps to actually receive advice from people who have been there themselves.
Many women dread the 30s, but it could actually well be the honeymoon phase of your life, when you have grown to be wise from the experiences of your 20s. If you’re not there yet, however, here is some advice that women in their 30s would like to impart to their younger selves in order to make sure that you are living the time of your life right.
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1. Remember you’re good enough
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Girls, this is really important. Don’t let anyone, including yourself, underestimate who you are. I remember spending a week curled up in my bed on those long insomniac nights, crying my eyes out because I thought I was not good enough. This is such a terrible thing to do. You need to love yourself and accept your inner self. The moment you understand that you are good enough, the feeling is going to be exhilarating. Release the negativity and embrace the awesomeness inside you.
2. Your heart will heal, even if you think it won’t
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The 20s is the perfect time for that first earth-shattering heartbreak. However, by the time you get to your 30s, you would probably have cried over more than one guy and the pain starts to lessen. You will be more mature, and getting over heartbreak would seem a lot easier when compared to other speed breakers which life will throw in your way. Looks scary? Don’t worry, you will still sail.
3. The pain passes
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Women in their 30s do have their own share of pain, but they are sensible enough to know that nothing is meant to last. The beauty of life is the fact that everything passes away, be it the ecstatically euphoric moments or even the depressing terrible times. So, don’t fuss over things that didn’t go the way they were planned to. Life was never meant to be perfect, because it is the pinch of salt that makes the food worthwhile.
4. Take that leave you’ve been debating
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When you’re in your 20s, all you really care about is your career. But don’t be so hard on yourself, honey, because it is health and not wealth that really matters when you are in the golden thirties. That said, don’t throw away your career either. You don’t have to swing at extremes! You can always find a balance that works for you.
5. Travel. Explore. See. Behold
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How many times have you locked yourself in that claustrophobic cubicle of yours even when every part of you craved to take that week-long vacation? Trust me, ten years down the line, you’re not going to care how many days you turned up at the office. Plan a vacation and head somewhere far, far away, a place you’ve always wanted to visit. You will smile at those memories more times than you can comprehend.
6. Make some sensible savings
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At the same time, prioritize what you spend your hard-earned cash on. I do relate with how it feels to wish to buy almost every pair of gorgeous shoes you lay your eyes on in the stores. You perhaps have more clothes than you know what to do with, and you still can’t cut your craving for shopping. Almost every woman in her 20s has been there, done that. However, you have no idea what your 30s is going to be like. Save the ‘elder you’ some shame and start adding little savings right now. Instead of investing in those second pair of Jimmy Choo platforms, put the money in your bank account and swear not to use it. ‘The elder you’ would love ‘the younger you’ for this act of kindness.
7. Girlfriends? Yes, please!
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One mistake that too many of us make in our 20s is to ditch the pretty girlfriends when chasing the bad boys. Don’t fall into this trap. Trust me, this could end up as a major regret in your life. When you are in your 30s, you might be well settled with the handsome prince who swept you off your feet, but even then there will be days when you would crave to sit down with your girlfriends from your youth and laugh at how naïve you used to be. Get your girlfriends and stick to them. They are the true diamonds that last!
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8. Dress to impress? Don’t do it.
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How many times do you check yourself in the mirror before heading to college/office/parties? Okay, we all want to style it up, just as long as you are not just trying to impress another guy. A sensible woman will always tell you that dressing up for a guy is like digging your own grave. Let a guy like you for who you are. If you need to be someone else just to impress him, he is probably going to make a dent in your heart and dump you as quickly as the ice cream supplies run out from your fridge.
9. Don’t chase love, let it come to you
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In love, not everyone gets their fairytale ending. I don’t want to sound bitter, but what are the odds that the sexy boyfriend you just met will last a decade? Stop chasing love and do not rush in matters of the heart. If love is meant to happen, it will. Live your life and wait for the fairy godmother to give you your very own Cinderella story. If nothing works, in your 30s, you will have a lot of time to seek that one guy with whom you can spend the rest of your life.
10. You’re alone, not lonely
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Red flag alert! In your 20s, you tend to mistake being alone as loneliness. Get your facts right! If you are alone, you do not have to be lonely. Learn to love your solitude. So, stop shedding those tears and ruining that precious mascara you just bought from the posh store downtown. Spend some time with yourself and be your own best friend until the true soul mate comes along.
11. Yes? No? Maybe! It’s okay, we are all messed up
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Do I look good in red? Yes! But, Eric said to wear blue! Will the boss like my presentation? Of course, but what if I missed some errors?
Yes, the 20s are all about being indecisive. It is that phase where you live the life of someone who has been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder. You’ll be indecisive all through your 20s, and it’s perfectly alright. Trust your instincts and go! I am sure you will do just fine.
12. You make mistakes, but mistakes don’t make you
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Oh dear, stop rebuking yourself for your mistakes. You are going to mess up more times than you ever think you could. You were not born to be flawless, but every mistake teaches you a valuable lesson. Keep climbing the ladder and learning from the things you did wrong. In your 30s, you would be blessed for some of those mistakes as it would tell you exactly what not to do down the line.
13. Judging others? Stop it now!
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Did you just look at that girl in the hallway and pass a judgmental look because you hear that she has been sleeping with the boss? The same guys who told you so would be bitching behind your back too. Guess what, it all looks lame when you are in your 30s. Women in their 30s regret the time they wasted on judging people they didn’t really know because it comes back to bite you in your own behind. Stop judging and start accepting.
14. Smile once, every day
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Smiles are contagious. So smile at a random person in the corridor. Smile at your mean boss and let him wonder what you are up to. Smile at the ex who broke your heart. Smile at the girl who just spread really terrible rumors about you. Finally, darling, smile when you look in the mirror because you’ve survived so far and you are still living. I love you, younger one! You’re awesome!
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15. Eat that damn cake!
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Seriously, you thought I would not hold this against you! Stop counting those ridiculous calories and eat the fattest and most scrumptious slice of cake. Get drunk once in a while and live your life like it is the best gift you have ever got. The 20s could be a lot of fun if you really live it. Don’t merely exist and end up as another odd statistic. Make yourself count. Make me proud.
Do you have anything to add? Did I miss something? Don’t agree with some of these? Hit me up in the comments below!
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