'What I would tell myself in my 20's'

[KissesAX]

I'm in my early 20s. It's not going great but all I hear is 'I wish I could tell my 20 year old self it's okay not to not know what you're doing in your life'.
AIBU to wish people could tell you actual advice and not just its okay to make mistakes.

I don't want my life to pass me by and waste my potential during my youth. Do any of you have advice how I can become successful and happy and avoid those big mistakes.

[pinkdelight]

Believe in yourself and if you want to do something really go for it. Don't wait for permission from those authority. They don't know everything, or often much at all. If you believe in yourself, others will too. And if you don't, pretend you do and they'll believe it anyway and soon you will too. Fake it till you make it! And don't be so hard on yourself. Stay positive. It's infectious.

[AccrualIntentions]

Lose weight earlier and don't spend on credit cards, you don't need all that stuff.

[MollyHuaCha]

Enjoy your good health - you never know when it will be taken away from you.

[splendidisolation]

Don't settle down
Travel as much as you can
Have full confidence in your face and body - there's a strong chance this is the prettiest you'll ever be
Have sex with lots of people
Wear short skirts even if you think your legs are shit
Be kind
Live abroad
Dont bother with university straight away - work abroad for a bit, get some experience, then go to uni with purpose a few years later, not just because
Don't dye your hair no matter how tempting
Use fake tan - don't tan in the sun
Do a stint in London no matter how short
Choose a career that gets you maximum wage for minimum hours
Find a hobby: it only needs to be one, but stick with it
Spend as much as possible of your early twenties at least single and living in flatshares: you'll develop a better sense of who you are, independence, adventures, knowkedge of others and great friendships
Learn to cook fantastic food from scratch: anyone can
Save but dont be tight: money comes and money goes, you never know when you'll next be up or down
Dont worry what people think of you. Ever.
Follow every instinct in every situation.
If a man makes you feel anxious or confused or upset: it doesnt matter what great other qualities he has, he's not for you. Move on.
Dont worry too much about life or the future, dont worry too much about mistakes: we're a short time here and a long time dead.
Don't hesitate to say sorry when you've done wrong.
Keep an open mind and be open to changing your beliefs.

And remember - always wear sunscreen.

[RaindropsAndSparkles]

Do what you love.
Love sensibly.
Enjoy your body - it will never be as good again and realise only you see it's faults, probably imaginary.
Be brave, be bold
And I didn't tell myself this, I was very very sensible - but I tell my DC- use contraception.
If you aren't sure about a man, run!
Be true to yourself and your convictions.
Be bold, be brave.
Get proper professional or vocational qualifications.
All the other people who seem so self assured and having so much fun probably aren't.
You can do galleries, go to the cinema, theatre, lectures on your own. You'll have something to talk about when yr social life looks up.
Save a little regularly every month

[frieda909]

Don't stay with a man who shouts at you, swears at you or makes you cry.

Enjoy sex and don't get hung up on what other people think of your sex life.

Save a little money each month if you can.

Have more fun!

[ModreB]

If you have children, get married.

If you have a mortgage, get married.

If you have a good job, make sure he does too. And get married.

DO NOT listen to his or your mother.

Don't marry a musician. Don't be sorry when all of your DC's end up as musicians. Feel good that you taught them about how to eat well, very cheaply on the road.

Learn to drive.

[EccentricNamechanger]

I'd drill Maya Angelou in my head as a mantra.

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time"

It would have saved me, well, my 20s.

[ssd]

I've done loads of these and still have a shit min wage job

its ok to say to my 20 yr old self blah blah blah but the reality is unless you have plenty money and support life can be fucking hard

[SAMlady]

Trust your instinct - especially with romance. If you think someones not that into you they probably aren't so move on. If you think someone fancies you you're probably right.

You look great, you really won't care in the years to come.

In your career it's not only hard work and intelligence that count playing the game counts for more. You'll have to do a bit of it - but be true to yourself, that's more important

[EJD277]

Trust your instincts, research all your options and be a bit selfish. In my late teens/early 20s I was in an ok paid secretarial job but had gained a place at uni on Project 2000 nursing programme which was my dream & I could have worked at emigrating to the US as a nurse as I would love to live there. I gave the place up because my mum wasn't happy losing my rent money.

Nearly 25 years on the only country I've visited is bloody Wales, never been out the UK.

[Cath2907]

• Pay into pension
  
• Sunscreen and moisturiser
  
• If an opportunity comes up say yes, even if it sounds a bit scary
  
• Don't have kids too early
  
• Find out what YOU like. Not everyone else... you
  

-Ditch the telly, waste of time

• Find a keep fit habit you love
  
• Travel as often as you can and as far as you can

[Carouselfish]

Don't waste all your time chasing love, work on your own life and career don't focus on your man's. Equally, if you find a really good guy, don't stuff it up, if there's mutual love and respect there, it's a REALLY rare thing and there won't be endless other chances to meet someone like that.
Get into the habit of not stuffing your face. Even if you can eat anything you like now, by the time you hit 30ish, that stuff will stick to your thighs.

[tippz]

What I would say to my 20 year old self is 'tell people to FUCK OFF a lot more!'

[Hohofortherobbers]

Don't smoke.

[MissConductUS]

EDJ277. What a shame, we would have been thrilled to have you. There's been a terrible shortage of good nurses here for 20 years and as a native English speaker the NCLEX exam would have been a cake walk for you.

[AnnabelleLecter]

Don't stick with a job you hate
Don't ever lend money

Things I did and would recommend:

Travel and have adventures that will be awkward with children.
Party a lot
Get on the property ladder
If you do find a good bloke, keep him

[hungryhippo90]

not out of my 20s yet, but here goes....this is all stuff ive learnt since 20!

1. Dont ever hold on too long for people, it will hurt you again and again, and its easier to be alone than in a cycle where the same people hurt you again and again.
   
2. Learn to save, little by little soon makes one hell of a difference.
   
3. When looking for a partner, envisage the man you would want your daughter to marry, dont settle for anything less.
   

4.travel whenever you can. see the world in all its different forms.

1. dont rush into having kids, have your adventures first.
   
2. Dont sweat the small things, they will rob you of your every happiness.
   
3. Be kind to yourself no matter what.

[MumsOnCrack]

Buy a house on your own - not with someone else. That's what I'd tell myself, it would have changed my life.

[Tastesjustlikecherrycola85]

Keep hold of your money and take time to see more places

[MumsOnCrack]

Don't get married!!!!!!

[MumsOnCrack]

Don't introduce all your boyfriends to your family.

[DontTouchTheMoustache]

Have fun but avoid drugs. Avoid the guys that play games with you and worry less. Spend your money on adventures but save for the future as well.
Things are generally not as bad as they can seem, keep your composure and work hard. Have a plan but don't panic too much of you dont stick to it exactly.
Dont stay in a relationship out of guilt or holding on to a first love for too long because you dont know how to let go.

[youhavetobekidding]

Don't worry about being single. Plenty of time to settle down later on. For now, get out and have fun

[Whisky2014]

Save as much money as you can each month, it soon builds up.
Don't rely on a man and if you get your heart broken...there will always be another love.
Don't get into debt or miss a payment.
You don't need the latest and best gadgets about.
Exercise and stay healthy now so it's not such hard work when you are older.
Keep in touch with friends.