thoughts and advice on being twentysomething

Yesterday I turned twenty-nine! Happy Birthday to me. 

I have been thinking a lot about my twenties. Man oh man the twenties are so tough. All of a sudden you are expected to be an adult. Ha! Maybe it's me or maybe it is a characteristic of my generation but I am just as clueless as I was the day I turned twenty!! Yes, sometimes I make better decisions but seriously guys... is this really my last year to get everything figured out??

I have been reading various lists on the Internet. You know the type, top ten things to accomplish in your twenties or five things to do before you turn thirty blah, blah, blah.  One of the lists actually said "figure out who you are" and another said "build a passion that you can turn into a career." HA! After the wave of panic subsided, I began to think about being in my twenties and what advice I would give. In a world where a series of "smart" decisions does not always lead to a "smart" life, what advice would I give people that are just beginning the craziness that is their twenties?

Get an education. Being in your twenties is a time to go to college but ONLY if that feels right to you. If not, there are plenty of ways to procure an education. Move to a new city, take a long trip, join a group or volunteer for something out of your comfort zone. It is really important that you experience something that is vastly different from high school and even better if it makes you a little uncomfortable. I can not stress this enough. I should have taken a year off between high school and college but didn't because going to college was "the right thing to do." If I had waited and maybe gained some "street smarts" I would have been more prepared for school. Although if I had taken a year off, I wouldn't have met Pat and all his foxiness (pictured above).

Have roommates. You will learn a lot about your limits and may find you have more patience then you think. I also believe it is important to share chores and responsibilities with someone you are not romantically involved with. 

Drink less coffee/beer and more water. There were days when I would think "hmmm... when was the last time I drank something other than coffee?" YIKES!

Hang out with your family. Even if they drive you crazy. Being in your twenties is about establishing new relationships and boundaries. I can't guarantee your family won't treat you like you are sixteen but at least you made the effort. Plus, so much changes in your twenties! It is important that you have a family to fall back on.

Date. Just be safe and have fun. And kiss a lot. Everyone loves a good kisser and practice makes perfect 'nuff said.

Learn how to do laundry, cook a few decent meals (all food groups represented), change a tire, cut up a whole chicken, and stick to a budget.

Keep in contact with at least one friend from high school. Make a lot of new friends but have that one friend that knew you before you could drive. If anything, you will have someone to share all the "flashback" and "remember when" articles from Buzzfeed.

Help others. Getting involved can be tricky but please don't let that stop you. Donate your clothes, read to children, send money to a local charity or knit sweaters for the penguins... I don't care what you do as long as it helps make someone's day a little brighter.

Save as much money as you can. Believe it or not your responsibilities increase with age! Imagine! So save money now! This is something I didn't do because I didn't think I would need to and it sucks.

Recycle.

Floss. Everyone says you should do it. Seriously though, you should really do it.

Take care of your car. It may need to last a very long time.

Have a few wild nights. I am not saying that turning twenty means things should get weird. What I am saying, is that you should have some crazy times because you are young and your body (and reputation) will probably bounce back. Get it out of your system. Do it now and not when you're fifty.

Of course, this list is just my opinion. In the end, we will all do what makes us happy but try not to be destructive towards yourself or the world okay?

I do believe I have lived my twenties to the fullest. They have been emotional and crazy. Yes, I wish I had a career but I visited many cool places, met and married the best guy in the world, have a neat house and awesome son. There are a few things I still want to do in this final year as a twentysomething (pierced septum perhaps?) but it has been a pretty sweet time. I may not have everything figured out but every day I am more comfortable with who I am and the decisions I make. I plan on making this last year pretty great too. Do you have any advice for me? What should I do in this final year as a twentysomething?? Thanks for looking. Love, Ms. Kate.