Let’s pop the champagne – I have officially survived my first week of being 25. Turning 25 was a BIG deal for me. I have never been a “birthday girl” but I was really excited for 25. I have honestly been freaking out about this birthday since the day I turned 20, 25 seems SO old. How did this happen so quickly?! I had many expectations of what I was supposed to be doing at 25 and a few months ago when I reflected on all I thought 25 was, I could not help but laugh at myself. I have not lived up to many of these expectations quite honestly, but I am pretty happy where I am in life. I have learned a lot in these quick 25 years and I am not going to panic and have a quarter-life-crisis. Instead I have decided to make an active effort to better myself every single day. Learn from my mistakes as I take you through 25 dos and don’ts below.
One
Do listen to your parents and elders. Do not think you know it all.
Two
Do eat pizza on Saturday night. Do not make a habit of unhealthy dinners.
Three
Do chase your dreams. Do not be irresponsible about it.
Four
Do enjoy wine. Do not drink it every single night. Alcohol, regardless of if it is made of grapes or not, is unhealthy.
Five
Do go out with friends. Do not go past your limit.
Six
Do what you believe is right. Do not be closed-minded
Seven
Do go to bed at a decent time, sleep is so important. Do not wait until the last minute to get out of bed in the morning.
Eight
Do spend your money seeing the world. Do not be lazy on vacation – you can sleep and relax at home.
Nine
Do be hard on people you know have great potential. Do not be rude in doing so.
Ten
Do be nice to everyone you met, especially the people who won’t give you the time of day, they are sad and need it the most. Do not stoop down to their level.
Eleven
Do know what you want in life. Do not settle for less.
Twelve
Do things for yourself. Do not feel selfish about it.
Thirteen
Do the right thing even when it is hard. Do not intentionally hurt others.
Fourteen
Do work to build your life and accomplish your goals. Do not watch everyone do it on social media.
Fifteen
Do yoga or SoulCycle or find something you love. Do not do yoga or SoulCycle just because I or other people are doing it – find what fills you.
Sixteen
Do learn how to be fiercely independent. Do not be afraid to ask for help or guidance when you need it.
Seventeen
Do cry when you need to. Do not let it become a habit, train your mind to be strong.
Eighteen
Do ask people for advice. Do not take every piece of advice you receive.
Nineteen
Do eat fruits, and vegetables and try to be healthy. Do not spend all of your money on random snacks at Whole Foods – this I have learned but am still working towards accomplishing.
Twenty
Do try to find the positive in everything. Do not allow yourself to sulk and be negative. Look outside – the sun is still shining even when you feel grey.
Twenty-One
Do save money – you never know when your car is going to get an oil leak. Do not save so much money you cannot live your life.
Twenty-Two
Do find a relationship with God. Do not forget to talk to him daily.
Twenty-Three
Do allow yourself to question the things in your life. Do not overthink them.
Twenty-Four
Do practice self-care and pamper yourself. Do not place all of your value into your outer self.
Twenty-Five
Do know what you want, and go get it. Do not settle for the norm and complacency.
If you are looking for additional advice on how to handle turning twenty-five, you should go read the post my friend, Brooke of Brooke du Jour, wrote. She is one of my greatest friends and has taught me so much. We are only 10 days apart in age, clearly we were meant to be best friends.
