Two Decades of Reflection
Lessons from My 20s and 30s
10/7/20245 min read
Lessons from My 20s and 30s: What I Wish I Had Done Sooner
Now that I’m 40, I’ve spent some time reflecting on my 20s and 30s—two decades that were full of growth, mistakes, and valuable lessons. If I could go back and give my younger self advice, there are several things I would have done differently. Looking back, I realize that success isn’t just about career achievements or checking off boxes. It's about finding balance, practicing self-care, and taking the time to build healthy habits.
Here are some of the biggest lessons I wish I’d learned earlier.
In my 20s and 30s, stress was just something I learned to live with, often pushing through long hours of work and personal commitments without a second thought. I didn’t realize the profound impact this constant pressure was having on both my mental and physical health. Reflecting on those years, I wish I had embraced mindfulness practices, like meditation and yoga, much sooner to help manage stress and cultivate balance in my life.
Now, in my 40s, I’ve come to appreciate the transformative power of these practices. Mindfulness is more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle shift that encourages us to reconnect with ourselves, promote inner peace, and foster emotional resilience. Guided meditations, for example, offer moments of peace and clarity, allowing individuals to navigate their daily stresses with greater ease.
Yoga, too, has become a cornerstone of my self-care routine. It combines movement with mindfulness, helping me stay grounded and flexible—both physically and mentally. The practice teaches us to listen to our bodies, honor our limits, and cultivate a sense of gratitude for what our bodies can achieve.
If you’re new to mindfulness, remember that you don’t have to dive in all at once; even dedicating just 10 minutes a day can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. Start small, and you’ll see the benefits unfold.
In my 20s, I was all about “more”—more clothes, more gadgets, more stuff. I believed that accumulating things would make life better or somehow feel more accomplished. But as I entered my 30s, I realized that all this “stuff” wasn’t adding value—it was cluttering my space and my mind.
Simplifying my environment through minimalism has been one of the most rewarding changes I’ve made. Now, everything in my home has a purpose. Instead of just filling space, I focus on curating meaningful, high-quality pieces that are both functional and visually pleasing. Each item serves a role, but also contributes to the atmosphere I want to create—calm, intentional, and joyful.
Minimalism doesn’t mean my space is bare or cold. I’ve learned to strike a balance by incorporating design elements that bring emotion and energy into the home. It’s all about creating a space that feels warm without clutter. I also mix in textures and subtle pops of color to bring life into the room, all while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
This approach to minimalism isn't just about eliminating things—it's about creating mental and physical space for what truly matters. A thoughtfully curated, clutter-free home brings peace and focus, giving me the clarity to enjoy life’s more important moments.
Reading has become one of my most cherished habits in recent years, but it wasn’t always that way. In my 20s and early 30s, I barely made time for books. I was too caught up in work and socializing to realize how much I was missing out on by not nourishing my mind with knowledge, fresh perspectives, and creative inspiration.
Over the past few years, I’ve rediscovered the transformative power of reading, and it has become an invaluable tool for personal growth. Books have taught me so much about human nature, leadership, and resilience—lessons I wish I had embraced much earlier in life.
While having physical books is wonderful, I’ve found that everyone’s reading style is different. After moving around the world several times throughout my career, investing in an Amazon Kindle has been a game-changer. It allows me to carry an entire library with me, making it easier to read wherever I go. I still enjoy buying some books to curate my shelves in my new home, but the Kindle has provided a practical solution for my ever-changing living situation. If you're considering a Kindle, I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enhance their reading experience while keeping things minimal.
Like many in my 20s, I didn’t give much thought to long-term financial planning. I saved what I could but had no clear strategy or understanding of how to make my money work for me. It wasn't until my 30s that I truly began to grasp the importance of financial literacy and the concept of building wealth with intention.
During that pivotal decade, I took steps to become more proactive with my finances. I delved into the world of investments, exploring stocks, mutual funds, and real estate. I also started planning for retirement, recognizing that the earlier I started, the more secure my future would be. However, I often think about how much further ahead I could have been if I had prioritized learning about finances in my 20s. Having that foundational knowledge earlier would have set me up for even greater financial freedom today.
Whether you're just starting out in your career or well into it, it's never too late to take control of your financial future. There are incredible resources available to help you on this journey. I recommend checking out investment apps that simplify the process, online courses that provide comprehensive education, and books that dive deep into financial principles.
In my 20s, I thought I was invincible. I worked long hours, ate whatever was convenient, and didn’t pay much attention to my physical health—or to the people around me. I ignored the importance of surrounding myself with positivity, choosing to tolerate toxic relationships and unhealthy environments.
By my 30s, I started to feel the consequences of this neglect. Stress, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise caught up with me physically. But equally damaging was the mental drain of holding on to toxic people and things that no longer served me.
If I could do it over again, I’d focus on mindful health from day one—making exercise a priority, fueling my body with nutritious food, and learning to recognize and remove toxic relationships and situations. It’s not just about looking or feeling good; it’s about setting yourself up for long-term wellness in all aspects of life—mind, body, and environment. Now, I prioritize balance in my health and life. I’ve replaced negative influences with supportive relationships and choose clean, non-toxic products to create a healthier living space.
From using fitness apps to swapping out toxic skincare, I’ve made changes that have transformed both my physical and mental well-being.
Looking Back with Gratitude
If I could tell my 20-year-old self anything, it would be this: Slow down, take care of yourself, and focus on what really matters. Now, at 40, I’m thankful for all the lessons learned, even the hard ones. These decades of experience have shaped me into who I am today—someone who strives for balance, embraces mindfulness, and makes decisions with intention.
As I look forward to the next chapter, I’m excited about continuing to grow and evolve. It’s never too late to start living the life you want, and these lessons will guide me as I enter this new decade.
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