Notícies

Read our April article, written from the perspective of a nearly 30-year-old person.

As I approach thirty later this year, I reflect on what the past ten years have taught me and looking back what I would tell myself entering my twenties.

Stop worrying

Try not to be stressed out all the time, life is too short and most of the things you worry about now aren't going to happen anyway. Everything happens for a reason, sometimes to teach you something, redirect your path or give you wisdom. So see misfortunes as learning experiences and stop worrying so much!

Spend money on experiences not possessions

And less on alcohol! The days you waste recovering from spending your salary in the pub could much better be spent exploring nature and the place you live. You often don't need to go abroad to find beauty in the world - talk to people and get out the house - you will feel satisfied you did and cherish the memories from the trips spent with friends and loved ones.

Be patient

Your best days are really yet to come so continue to work hard and focus on your goals. Try not to beat yourself up when life doesn't go exactly as you had planned. Everything will eventually work itself out - it's a marathon after all, not a sprint.

Be flexible

Don't be too attached to your goals and enjoy the adventure. Few people take a predictable and straight path from A to B so I'd encourage myself to broaden my lens of career interests knowing it won't define where I end up. Experience, learn and adapt as you continue to grow. Plus just as importantly, enjoy the learning process.

Travel the world

See different things and meet new people. Expand your lens and expose yourself to different perspectives. Keep an open mind for new experiences and cultures and stay curious about the unknown. If you get the opportunity to live abroad, do it! It's the best way to learn a new language, meet people you may not find in your social circle at home and have fun. You may not always have the flexibility, so do it while you can.

Take risks

And say yes more - it's one of the best parts about life and makes great stories to tell. Step out of your comfort zone, gain life experiences and make friends, they say youth is wasted on the young so enjoy it while you are. Take up offers, especially opportunities to travel. Holidays with friends will decline with age, and those you have will be nostalgically remembers years down the line.

Stop procrastinating

If it has to be done - just do it! I wish I had spent more time getting on with work at university than sitting around chatting about it all day and then panic writing in the early hours of the morning before a deadline. The time I spent procrastinating could've been spent celebrating getting the work finished.

Look after your health

And wear sunscreen! It sounds so obvious but as a twenty-something the tendency is to feel invincible - that you can start worrying when you're a bit older. But the time to look after yourself is when you're young and you'll thank yourself for it later. Hydrate yourself and exercise outside! The four walls of the gym will always look the same but taking adventures in the wild will give you new memories to look back on while you still build up a sweat.

Don't trust everybody

The world is full of wonderfully, kind people but some are not to be trusted. Be cautious and don't to be too quick to call people your friend. Equally however sometimes new friends can be just as important as old ones. Nourish your friendships and you will make good friends for life.

Smile

As life gets tough something as simple as a smile can be powerful. Smile at people on public transport, in shops and at work - it could make someone's day and will make you feel more positive from the inside. Slow down and enjoy the best decade of your life - you won't regret it.