As a woman in her late-20s, it’s hard to believe how the years have come and gone. I recently reconnected with some friends from college, and reminiscing about the good ol’ days has reminded me how quickly time has passed. “I remember you were the only one of my friends who would call me on a Tuesday to go out,” my friend Jack said. Nowadays, a typical Tuesday night is spent watching a Netflix film, only to pass out on the couch after the first 30 minutes. How did I become such an old lady?
I can say that there are a lot of things I’m glad I tried during my 20s, when I still had the energy and naiveté that comes with youth. I am hopeful, not depressed, about the upcoming the big 3-0 milestone. I can close the door on my 20s, and feel I did them justice. For those of you who are still in your 20s, don’t take life too seriously. This is the decade to let loose. You don’t want to look back several years from now, and regret the opportunities that passed you by when you were younger. After all, those years are supposed to be the time of our lives.
Here are a few things I’m glad I did in my 20s:
Camp
I backpacked a lot in my 20s. Some of my favorite memories include kayaking on Tamales Bay to a secluded beach to spend the night under a full moon and hiking 10 miles to Sykes Hot Springs, which is only accessible by foot. Now that I’m older, I’ve become a light sleeper. As you may guess, camping usually leaves me sleep deprived, as the sunlight at dawn and any small sound wakes me up. Furthermore, I’ve gotten used to nicer accommodations, so sleeping on the ground and peeing behind a bush doesn’t suit me so well.
Live Abroad
Take at least one long-term trip, and live abroad if you can. My semester abroad in Paris was perhaps the happiest time of my life. Not only was everyday an adventure, but I got to wander around the city alone. While traveling with others can be a lot of fun, traveling solo can be one of the rewarding things you’ll ever do. When you travel solo, you are not obliged to entertain anyone but yourself. I carried around a little “bucket list” of sorts on a notepad. Half of the items involved food (including a trip to La Durée to try their macarons in every…single…flavor.) So what if I was a glutton? I didn’t have to answer to anyone.
Learn to Cook
Ramen and eggs don’t count. Growing up, my Mom always had amazing food on the table–potstickers, Korean scallion pancakes, fried rice…you name it! After I graduated from college and got my own apartment, my diet basically consisted of pasta and sauce (the bottled kind), grilled cheese sandwiches, and the occasional hamburger patty. Don’t let this happen to you. Cooking a healthy meal doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Keep some staples around and grab some fresh ingredients, such as veggies and cheese, whenever you’re ready to cook. Maybe if you’re lucky, your Mom can offer some pointers. After you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to make a delicious meal without the help of a cookbook. An added bonus is the accomplishment you’ll feel when you sit down at the table. Bon appetit!
Date
I’m tired of seeing people who date for a few months before getting married, only to get divorced a year later. When you’re in your 20s, you’re still figuring out your career, your goals…heck, yourself! There may be some truth to the fairy-tale-inspired adage, “you’ve got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince.” After all, playing the field can be fun—and it can help you figure out which qualities you want (and which ones you don’t) in your spouse. And online dating can be fun (and sometimes funny), too. How many times in your life do you get to read messages like, “Do you have pretty toes?”
Spend Time with Family
I didn’t have the most harmonious relationship with my parents when I was a teenager. And then I went to college on the East Coast, and only got to see them twice a year. After living in Silicon Valley post-college for a year, I eventually made my way back to San Francisco and reconnected with my parents. When I moved to Sausalito, I continued to spend time with Mom; our mutual love of hiking brought us together.
Spend Time with Friends
You may notice that life is speeding past you. Things are probably changing drastically. You may have recently started a new job, you may be starting your own family, or you may be moving across the country. The same goes for your friends. A common complaint I hear from my single friends are that their married friends “disappeared” once they started having kids. It’s happened to me, too. Enjoy the company of your friends while you’re still single, and keep in touch with those who are no longer.
Go to Las Vegas
Getting black out drunk or taking drugs probably isn’t the smartest thing to do, but take risks and have a good time. Go to a club. Check out a pool party. Indulge yourself at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Walk down the strip sipping a 3 foot tall Margarita. You’re young once, so embrace it, and let yourself go.
