Making Your Twenties Useful – Ms. Tariah


Many Twenty somethings go through a lot. You see us complaining about how tough the Decade is. It feels like everything is happening at the same time. We are struggling with trying to know ourselves while going through life. Sometimes we are confused about the next step to take.


Yes, the BIG TWENTY is exciting. We look forward to getting to 18 then 20 but as soon as we hit 20 the confusion sets in. Then there is 25, almost everyone is scared of hitting 25. Not that we want to die young but we just want to skip it, yet we don’t want to grow older. We are scared of what comes with the age.

Sometime ago I read a book by Clinical Psychologist Meg Jay “The Defining Decade. Why Your Twenties matter — and how to make the most of them now” it’s an amazing book. I’d recommend it for every ‘Twenty something’


While we are at it, I’d like to share some of the things I’ve learnt. A few tips on how to live, make good use and enjoy your Twenty Something.

Advice from a Twenty something! �

First of all, you should understand that your Twenty Something choices matter and in-fact shapes the years ahead. So, don’t be scared to DREAM BIG.

Make choices. Not making choices seems easier but it isn’t safe. The consequences are just further away in time. Go through your “unthought known” — Those things you know about yourself but forget somehow (when life looks uncertain).

Travel, relax! Use this time to meet different people, network, learn how to survive independently in a new place. Learn the culture of others.
Take care of your body. Exercise, sleep and eat well! This isn’t just about health, it’s also about enjoyment.
Save. “Set away a rainy day fund to cushion you when you hit inevitable bumps in the road”.
Forgive yourself and others for mistakes. Learn to accept your mistakes. You are going to be facing a lot of rejection when you go out hunting for a job. You are going to make mistakes. Learn to accept it and forgive yourself. “Don’t react poorly to mistakes. Mistakes are a great education… if you understand this it will make you patient with other people who make mistakes and you will learn forgiveness…”
Get identity capital. Identity capital is how we build ourselves. Our collection of personal assets. What we bring to the adult market place.
Draw on the strength of weak ties. Be open minded. Network. “New things almost always come from outside your inner circle”. If weakties do favour for us, they start to like us.
Do not allow the “perfect lives” of people on social Media bother you or make you feel helpless and alone. Making your life look better on Facebook shouldn’t be your priority. Rather, work to make your life better for real.
Doing something later is not necessarily the same as doing something better. Start now! Don’t be scared to make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes. Saying yes to one concrete thing may feel like saying no to an interesting or limitless life but it’s the other way round. If you don’t say yes to something you would still say yes to not saying yes. So take that step today. Do not limit yourself!


Brethren run away from drama! Run away from problematic people. Avoid toxic relationships/friendships. People who won’t help you grow. These people are time wasters. You don’t need them in your life.
Invest in self-knowledge. Learn something about yourself. You should know what upsets you and what makes you happy. Find the answers to these questions: what is your fear? Who loves you? What do you want to achieve? And so on!


Lastly, Slow sown! Breathe… “All good things come when your mind is still”. Enjoy life! Take one step at a time!