I want all your advice on what a 26-year-old girl can do for her future and beauty.

[VividHare]

I need the advice of every woman who is older than me. If you were 26 years old, what would you do for your career, your beauty, your relationships, and your health?

Use education/training to gain a stable career for financial security and non dependence on a man in a relationship.

I’d not call myself a girl for one, those days are long gone.

I would start a pension.
I would take care of my health.
I would engage in real life as much as possible.
I would remove myself from social media.

Are you 26 or 25?

I wouldn't get involved with 47 year old men for a start.

For your career: go back to full time work as soon as you can after DC, dont take any sort of pay cut. Always seek promotion or better paid jobs, keep moving up.
For beauty: dont drink or smoke, no drugs. But accept that ageing is inevitable and better than the alternative.
For relationships: Take no shit. There are always plenty of men, just know your worth
For your health: Everything in moderation, and make room for you and laughing and loving life.

Education and additional qualifications in the industry they want to work in
Avoid debt apart from student loan and mortgage and save where possible
Spf daily drink lots of water

Stay slim, if you haven’t already don’t bleach your hair ( thins it), wear sunscreen, don’t be tempted to do breast enlargements ( they become a nuisance as you age) or too much facial filler ( will stretch your skin out), apply The Rules ( old fashioned but full proof) to men you date, don’t date anyone with no money/ no career prospects, don’t date anyone with children already. If you want children yourself try to get a career that will support flexible working down the line and stay close to your family if they’re likely to help out with childcare.

Marry the kind man (or woman!) not the 'exciting one'
Keep a career going, money is power.
Exercise 3 times a week. JUST DO IT.
Everything in moderation.

Do things that make you happy.
Tell yourself often that you are worthy and loved and believe it.
Spend time with people who enhance your life - avoid those who are unkind to you or hoover your mood - even if they are relatives.
Set boundaries and stick to them.
Don't be afraid to say no - and mean it.
Find yourself a partner who adores you - if there are red flags, act on them.

Work. Find a job doing something that matters to you.
Save money - don't get credit cards or loans.
Work hard, push yourself and make sure you pay into a pension.
Book holidays and trips and see the world.

Avoid too much sugar.
Drink lots of water.
Don't drink or smoke - trust me your skin will really thank you for it when you get to your 50s!

Lift weights
Don't let yourself get overweight
Wear spf 50 every day
Never stop learning
Invest in learning a skill/hobby
Learn to budget and save
Don't stay stuck in a job you don't enjoy
Don't stick out relationships/friendships in the hope they will get better
Trust your instincts

Beauty - moisturiser and SPF
Career - try and find a job doing something you love and pays well.
Relationships - the most important one is the one who have with yourself. It's OK to put yourself first, and to have boundaries.
Health -regular exercise, include weights, eat well. Maintain a healthy weight

Always brush your teeth. They're important for your health, your relationships, your career and your beauty.

All Of this.

Sun protection & a pension.

Moisturise, moisturise and..........moisturise

Wear sunscreen, and don’t neglect the skin around your eyes.

Don’t put up with a man who expects you to do all the housework

Do not start doing more housework on maternity leave because it “makes sense as you’re home more”. You will never offload those tasks again.

Buy a modern house that doesn’t need much upkeep. Old houses just burn your cash.

Start a fund for retraining unless you can see older women in your workplace.

Pay the maximum into your pension that your employer will match. I think my pension would be double if I'd done that in my twenties, so annoyed at myself now. Oh and factor 50 sunscreen every day. Don't bleach your hair if you haven't already, it's a slippery slope to expensive maintenance.

Money
Educate yourself
Live below your means and save.
Pay into your work pension.
Invest now (power of compounding)
Don't waste money on beauty bullshit / woman tax - buy some ordinary moisturiser and altruistic sunscreen, sjp lovely for £20 and crack on.... Put the £40 you were going to spend on a dior lipstick that doesnt really suit you and £280 on some dumb tom ford perfume and put in an S&S isa.

Health
Look after your Gum health. Floss and go to hygienist regularly.
Get in a gym, lift and maintain your flexibility.
Don't crash diet. ever.

Relationships
I feel so unfeminist saying this but...
Choose the father of your children VERY carefully. It matters.
You will only be as happy as your partner lets you be.

No amount of work, will, intelligence or persistence from you will offset a.man who wants to drag you down. You cannot compensate for it. I know at least 3 BRILLIANT women who are on their knees and miserable and stuck due to their dickhead partners. They are breadwinners, running the house, paying for everything and raising toddlers while their husband stands on the sideline.drinking beer and shouting "advice".

I would wear SPF
floss, tepe brushes and take care of my teeth
add to my pension

You are an adult women not a girl.

If I was 27 again I would own being an adult more. I did have a good job, owned my own house and managed a lot of people. But I felt like an imposter - a little girl pretending. I was more grown up than most people! Mortgage, pension, the lot.

I would be my own person more, call out bullshit more directly, tell my mother to shut the fuck up!, and just believe in myself more.

i would stop caring what other people think, and be more comfortable in my own skin!

Sunscreen. Save money. Even a tiny amount every week will make a difference. Make some long term career plans. Be choosy about your partner. Act on red flags. Try not to get too sucked into social media and comparisons. Find something that makes you laugh everyday and get outside as much as you can. Cherish your friends but don't take on their drama. Read lots of books.

Beauty: spf and look after your hands and feet; moderate exercise

Relationships: don't settle

Career: do what you love and remember that you spend most of your waking life at work and if it's making you miserable find another job - play the long game

Health: moderate exercise, good diet, no fags or drugs and stick to 14 units

Money: pension, no debt, buy quality/buy once, appreciate the merits of compound interest

Look outwards: have interests and make friends - choir, drama, politics, painting, cooking, book group, music - whatever floats your boat

Look after your skin.
Keep control of your booze intake.
Don’t shag the person who sits next to you at work…gets awkward.
Trust your instincts when it comes to men. Dont ignore red flags.

Get fit/stay fit

Take no shit.
Spf.
Look.after your teeth.
Love generously but always remember point one.