Asking what I should do while I'm still young.

[Teadrinker11]

I'm 26 and conscious that while I'm getting older, I'm still somewhat young ish and from wasting so many previous years want to do what kind of things I should be doing either for fun or for insurance to avoid regret while I'm older. What do you think? What kind of things should I be doing while I'm still somewhat young?

Have fun - whatever that means to you!
Go out and get wasted/save and go on holidays etc

To echo many other posters - travel! Then travel some more. And when you think you’re done, travel one last time before you travel again.

I will never, ever regret the travelling I did in my 20’s. I went to countries you can’t really visit anymore, I went off the beaten track, I had adventures, misadventures, got arrested in Hanoi over a complete misunderstanding (and released the same day 😄), and while it meant I was later than my friends in starting my career and buying a home, by my mid 30’s I’d caught up and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

So. Travel!

Don’t waste time on mumsnet.

Live in the real world.

My advice is to lose the ish. You're young, not somewhat young - embrace it!
Rather than suggesting anything in particular, I would say to think about where you want to be in 5 years, or 10, 20 etc years and set the foundations now. So of you want to be at a certain career point then focus on work, if you want to own property then focus on savings, if you want kids then focus on finding the person you want to have them with. Do stuff that future you will say thanks for, but do what will bring the most joy along the way.

@Gowithme

Travel. Buy experiences rather than things. Then buy a house.

I agree 100%. Stuff is way overrated. Experiences are priceless.

I have never bought a bag, a pair of shoes or a piece of designer tat that has made me happy. I have never had a holiday somewhere interesting that hasn’t.

I worked on a cruise ship and would 100% recommend it! It's an experience I'll never forget and I am so so glad and lucky that I got to experience it!

travel

then echoing the sensible ideas of pension, saving for a house and sunscreen.

and try lots of sports and physical activities. I loved canoeing/kayacking/white water rafting/walking up mountains/rock climbing/adventure type holidays and playing sport. It's all a bit too much now as my disability has kicked in and I am rather limited in what I can achieve.

Definitely start a pension! You might think you’re too young but seriously you’re 26 and in the blink of an eye you’re 56!

Have kids if you want them. Not too far off thirty.

Enjoy being young. Life is short. Go on all the city breaks you can afford. But start a pension. Honestly, if you want to do one sensible thing, do that.

Buy property
Get a pension
Travel ( a bit but save some for later )
Build a career in a job that will give you the lifestyle you want later don't waste your time now on a 'fun' job if you want a decent standard of life
Don't accumulate debt

Travel of course.
Meet new people.
Experience new things.
See amazing landscapes.
Eat new food.
Nothing else really matters.

go and make some amazing experiences. one day you may be married. possible kids, mortgage. make sure youve got magical memories to look back.

and please please if i could so anything for the younger generation enjoy your body, in years you will look back at photos and youl think god i looked good which id appreciated then. have the most confidence ever go get laid dont hold back... make memories..

@BrioNotBiro

Start a pension!

This x 1000

Take risks, try different jobs, travel, work abroad. Try and work out what makes you happy and lights you up, and then go all in on that. Get comfortable with 'winging it' don't assume everyone else knows what they are doing, they don't so don't be afraid to go for what you want. Go to as many weddings as you can, there is a period where it feels like too many hen weekends and weddings etc but that slows down and they're such great memories to look back on with friends.

Oh and totally agree on enjoying your body, both visually and what it can do...push it and hike mountains and run races etc!

@Movingonup22

Wear sunscreen everyday

Start your pension

Both of these. If you smoke STOP. You will look so much older so quickly once the menopause hits. Put the money you would spend in a savings account.

Start a sport that involves a skill

And start a pension

Backpack

When I was in my 20s I worked abroad, did my degree and qualified into my chosen profession, solo travelled and bought my first flat.

But that's me! What do YOU want to do?

Travel, see the world and experience as much as you can. Say yes to every opportunity.

Travel and live your life as you want too whilst you no responsibility. Learn as much as you can. Save as much as you can

Keep in mind that you can do things in reverse.
Travelling in your 40's and 60's is equally as enjoyable especially when you owned a property to come back to.
Save, save, save.

Travel. Have new experiences and meet new people. If you can work abroad for a period do it - Europe post Brexit is difficult but under 30s Brits are welcome to work in Canada and Australia etc

I say this because life is inevitably difficult or mundane at times and in my own life those stretches of new people and new experiences have remained in my consciousness as uplifting memories. They have also given me a broader perspective.

You are young. Take yourself out of your life for a while. You will still have plenty of time to worry about house purchase, life insurance etc.

Start a pension
Don't settle
Travel
Get your body looking the way you'd like, ditto your skin this is as good as it gets.