Lessons From My 20s

Tomorrow is my birthday.  The big 3-0.  Thirty.  Yikes.  While lots of great things happened in my 20s, as a whole I am looking forward to putting this decade behind me.  My 20s were… interesting.  Formative.  A rollercoaster of highs and lows. I don’t really put much weight into birthdays and I really don’t like to celebrate.  It’ll be just a typical Monday, I’ll go about my normal routine. But a LOT happened, so much that it feels necessary for a moment of pause and at least acknowledgement.  These lessons from my 20s are shaping how I enter my 30s.  Some were easy to learn, but most were hard-fought battles.

 





Lessons from my 20s

 

  • I am more than a number on a scale.  Happiness, self-worth and success are not dictated by my dress size.  Of all the lessons from my 20s, this was the hardest but the most rewarding.

 

  • “Don’t build your life around others.  Build it around yourself: your dreams, your happiness and your interests.  Then invite others in.”  I’m weird and totally ok with it.  I would rather by myself that try to act a different way in order to please other people.  The people who matter in life embrace my quirks.

 

  • A bigger salary does not lead to happiness.  I would much rather earn less money and be less stressed at work than be miserable at a high paying job. Pursuing my passions might not be as lucrative, but you can’t put a dollar amount on happiness.

 

  • My body is a garden, not a graveyard.  There’s too much violence in the world, I don’t want that violence invading my plate.  Since our political system seems rigged, I find that I can vote and affect change faster with my food choices that at the ballot box.  A vegan lifestyle has lead to a happier and healthier life.

 

  • If I don’t advocate for myself, no one will.  Speak up for what you want and what you believe you’ve earned. People are not mind-readers.  You can’t assume that someone knows what you want.  The world is not going to hand you a raise, a promotion, a discount, a position on a team, a day off, etc, unless you ask.

 

  • “Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.”  It’s ok to fail.  It’s ok to cry.  It’s ok to be your true, flawed self.  Being vulnerable is scary, but it’s scarier to live a life hiding your insecurities and pretend like everything is great.

 

  • Running is the best teacher.  In the 10 years that I’ve been running, I’ve learned more about strength, courage, patience, defeat and victory in the miles I’ve logged on roads and trails than in all my years of school.  Running has been an essential part of my 20s and has taught me who I am and what I value.

 

 

  • Time is my most valuable resource.  Why waste time scrolling aimlessly through social media, or trying to be friends with people who don’t appreciate me, or attend an event I’m not interested in?  I will pay for convenience if it means saving time to spend on more important things.  I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable saying no and choosing where to focus my time and energy.

 

  • Quality over quantity.  This goes for relationships, food, clothes.  Really everything.  I would rather invest in few, quality friendships than have lots of shallow relationships.  Similarly, I would rather have a few key pieces of clothing than a packed closet.

 

  • I am capable of far more than I think.  And I’m just getting started.  Hellooooooo 30.

 

 

 

What are some of the lessons you learned in your 20s?  What advice do you have for my 30s? 

 

Happy running,

Becca

 

 

 

 

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kookyrunner
5 years ago

Wishing you a very happy birthday! I love the life lessons that you listed.
As someone in their 30s, I welcome you to this new decade of life!

Marcia
5 years ago

Happy Birthday! You’ve learned some great lessons and I’m sure your 30’s hold many exciting adventures for you. Ironically my 20s was the only decade so far that I did not run.