Things to Do in Your 20s: Lessons I Learned

⏱ 6 min read

When I think about the things to do in your 20s, I realize your 20s are this beautiful, messy, exciting decade one where you have energy, freedom, and endless possibilities. I remember waking up one day, realizing I had reached my mid 20’s, and thinking: “Wait… what am I even doing with my life?” That panic, mixed with excitement, became the starting point of a decade I now reflect on as full of lessons, mini adventures, and personal growth.

In this blog, I want to share 10 essential things to do in your 20s.

1. Make a Bucket List: Things to Do in Your 20s

If you didn’t make a bucket list in your teens, your 20s are the time to start. Why? Because this is when energy meets freedom. In your 30s, responsibilities multiply you might still chase dreams, but the weight of bills, career, and family responsibilities can slow you down.

I started theirlifestyle.com as part of my bucket list.

• Start small: Don’t aim for Everest immediately; try that new café you’ve been walking past.
• Break it down: Travel, skills, personal goals categorize them.
• Tick them off: Even if you only take the first step, it counts.

Would you try making one tonight? I promise it’s liberating.

2. Learn Where to Say Yes and No: Things to Do in Your 20s

Ah, the art of saying “no” something I’ve been learning painfully. Early in my 20s, I said yes to everything because I wanted to be kind, helpful, or just afraid of disappointing someone. The result? Overwhelm, guilt, and a lot of wasted energy.

Now, I focus on saying yes to things that help me grow, learn, or truly excite me and no to things that drain me or distract me from my goals.

Practical approach:

• Ask yourself: “Will this move me forward?”
• If not, it’s okay to decline.
• Be kind but firm; boundaries are growth, not cruelty.

This is a skill that grows with practice and trust me, people respect you more when you value your time.

3. Know Your Money: Things to Do in Your 20s

Money in your 20s doesn’t have to mean millions in the bank. But it should mean awareness. Track your income, expenses, and spending habits. Build a healthy relationship with money. Don’t live in fear of tomorrow, but don’t ignore it either.

Impulsive spending feels good in the moment, but freedom feels better in the long run. I try to aim for a balance: spend on experiences, save for freedom, invest in yourself.

Quick tips:

• Track expenses: Even a simple Google Sheet works.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation: Buy what matters, not what impresses.
• Build a safety net: You can’t live zero-proof, but you can prepare for “just in case.”

If inetretsed: My First Step Into Personal Finance

4. Take Care of Mother Earth: Things to Do in Your 20s

Living in Mumbai in October, when the city feels like a sauna, I became hyper-aware of my environmental footprint. Be conscious shopper. You don’t have to become a saint, but small changes matter:

• Carry a steel or copper water bottle.
• Avoid unnecessary plastic.
• Buy only what truly matters.

5. Don’t Panic: Things to Do in Your 20s

Decisions in your 20s feel life-altering, even when they’re not. I remember putting in my resignation at Publicis Groupe suddenly, the world felt like it stopped. No reports, no meetings, no strategy sessions. Just… me. Panic set in.

A week later, I realized the freedom was blissful. Anxiety is normal, but it doesn’t define your path.

Lesson: Take a deep breath, step back, and trust your process.

6. Grow – Honestly, Grow: Things to Do in Your 20s

Growth isn’t just career promotions; it’s expanding your skills, mindset, and awareness.

• Identify gaps: If you notice that you struggle with public speaking, take small steps like joining webinars and presenting your ideas to a friend.
• Embrace discomfort: Growth feels weird at first but that’s proof it’s working.
• Learn from everyone: People’s experiences are richer than your assumptions.

Remember: The world is huge, and feeling “behind” is natural but growth is personal.

7. Rewire Your Brain: Things to Do in Your 20s

From childhood, society teaches us a narrow definition of success. I once thought success meant the perfect job, just being happy all the time, Instagram-worthy life, and constant productivity.

But here’s the thing: success is personal. Rewire your brain:

• Define what truly matters to you, and read my take on what success means.
• Question inherited beliefs.
• Focus on fulfillment, not comparison.

8. Keep Evolving: Things to Do in Your 20s

Loving pav bhaji yesterday and avocado toast today is totally fine. People may call you “inconsistent” but evolution is beautiful.

• Interests change.
• Habits shift.
• Priorities adapt.

If someone never changes opinions or tastes, it probably means they’ve stopped evolving. And trust me, evolving feels refreshing.

9. Embrace Mistakes: Things to Do in Your 20s

Mistakes are life’s best teachers. Failures sting, but they leave lessons.

• Don’t dwell on the past. History may have patterns, but it never repeats exactly the same way.
• Learn, adapt, and move forward.
• Treat failures as stepping stones, not tombstones.

10. Learn Skills, Romanticize Life, Build Habits

Your 20s are perfect for building foundations:

• Basic life skills: Cooking, time management, handling stress.
• Romanticizing life: How to romanticise life? Enjoy sunsets, celebrate small wins, make moments memorable.
• Healthy habits: Sleep, exercise, reading, self-reflection.

Even small daily habits compound into a more grounded, joyful, and resilient adulthood.

Bonus Tips: My Personal Nuggets

• Travel even if it’s just the next city; the world expands your perspective.
• Document your journey: Journals, blogs, videos it’s your time capsule.
• Surround yourself with people who push, challenge, and support you.

Personal Takeaway

If there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s this: your 20s are a laboratory for life. Experiment, stumble, grow, evolve, and laugh at yourself. Build your bucket list, learn to say no, understand money, care for the planet, and don’t panic.

Would you try one of these lessons tomorrow? I promise, even small steps make a huge difference.

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