I am at a very pivotal point in my life: the middle of the beginning. I am in the second half of my 20s, an age where I find myself untethered to most things. I have no children. I have no house payments. I am more free in my ability to pursue my dreams now than I have been or might ever be in the future, which brings up questions like, “What do I see for my future?” and “How will my choices today and tomorrow position me for success?” After all, your 20s are for building.
Yes, your 20s are the building block years of your future, but there is something they didn’t tell us, too, something that is pivotal for our growth, for our sanity. Your 20s might be for building — but as a seeker, a dreamer, a visionary, you will spend your entire life building.
Now is the time for honing your vision for your future years. These are the years where we have the freedom to try, try and try again — to search, explore and play. We have the ability to test the waters and find the things that bring us the most life, the paths in which we thrive. Each step, each day, each conversation, each laugh is a block that helps build a foundation we can launch from.
Some of us pull together that foundation and clear vision sooner than others, able to go hard in our direction of choice. Some of us are entering the second half of our 20s thinking, “I still have no idea what I want to do,” but I bet you know what you don’t want to do, which is exactly my point. Relax. Allow yourself the time it takes to find your niche, and don’t let it stop there.
If you hit that beautiful 30 and find you’re still working toward identifying where you come alive, that’s okay, too! You are an explorer and have found areas where you wanted or needed to spend more time learning. Your transition season will come, when you will either climb up onto the platform you’ve been building, or find the next block you need.
Either way, trust the process. Here are a few ways to make the most of your freedom years:
Identify your passions
What makes your heart beat fast? What areas of your life make you feel most alive? When do you feel that voiceless pull deep within your chest? If you aren’t sure, that’s okay! Take some time this week to look for those moments in your life.
Make a builder’s list
These are the things that you want to build or help make stronger, things that are founded on your passions. They can be businesses you want to start, books you want to write, places you want to travel, people you want to work with or organizations you want to partner with.
Prioritize
I’ve come to understand that every opportunity is not a “yes” or a “no,” but instead a “yes,” a “no” or a “not now.” Each of those options is both powerful and freeing. Using the power of yes, no and not now, you can prioritize projects, people and opportunity in a way that focuses your potential and expedites your growth.
Persevere and be fluid
Dude. It’s hard. I know. Trust me, I know. But we can do this. Buckle down, make your list and go for gold. Use it as your guideposts and mile markers, and whenever you feel a bit foggy or confused, lay down, remind yourself are on a journey of learning and that there is no right or wrong answer, there is only growth. Sometimes new opportunity will surprise you — just remember that it’s okay to try something new whether you are 20, 30, 50 or 80. Remember your passions, and be true to those!
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