People who are 40+ and happy with their life, what is your advice to people in their 20s? from AskReddit
QualityKatie
Relax more. Don’t get angry over little things.
yeahwellokay
I was a raging alcoholic in my twenties and thought I would never recover from it. I never found a real job using my first degree or my masters. Part of it was because I was always drunk, part of it was the job market at the time.
I went back to school in my thirties and found something I like a whole lot more. Now, I’m married, nearly ten years sober, and have a great job.
My point is, if you end up on the wrong path or don’t like where you are, there’s always time to turn around and change it. Too many people just assume they’re stuck where they are and stuck with the issues they have.
chilledheat
I’m not sure who said it but once I read this online:
“Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it.”
And i think about it all the time. Kind of relates to what you said.
NoahNoodle
Wow. This helped me a whole lot with my anxiety. I’m a 20yo school dropout because of mental illness. I have big dreams though and the thought of never achieving them makes me even more sad. But your post helped me realize that it’s not too late to turn my life around. I can go back to school after I’ve been in therapy, I can still achieve my goals.
i_am_a_toaster
It is never never never too late! Go see a doctor- find some coping strategies- alter your life choices- don’t let anxiety rule your life. I have been diagnosed and once I figured out how to live with it, all sorts of things became more…. possible. I didn’t go back to school to finish my degree until I was 28- but the key thing to remember is it is NOT over for you, and you can get there. One thing at a time.
Denaris21
I am 40 years old and I have three pieces of advice for anyone in their 20’s
Accept that perfection doesn’t exist. Your relationships will have problems, your car will break down, someone else will anyways have a better phone, a newer car, or a bigger house than you, no matter where on the social ladder you stand. Constantly chasing perfection will keep you permanently stressed. That doesn’t mean you should not try to better your life, just know that if you expect perfection you will never be statisfied.
Pay attention to your diet and health. I have been working out at least 4 times per week since my mid 20’s. I am fitter, healthier and look younger than almost everyone else my age
Don’t stop doing the things you love. Even though I have a wife, kids, job etc. I still make time to play video games, draw, write stories, read comics, play basketball, listen to music, etc. There is no reason to become a miserable old bastard!