Response to “8 Things To Do When You Turn 18”
There are a few milestone birthdays in everyone’s life. Your “Sweet 16” and the chance to finally get your driver’s license, turning 18 where you are “officially” a legal adult, turning 21 is the legal drinking age, and other birthdays like your “golden” birthday and the start of each decade. There is some weird unspoken rule that once you are 21, your life becomes boring. I wholeheartedly disagree with that statement.
When I turned 25, I was feeling really good about my age. 25 is a fun age because you are in your mid-twenties, you are still young and figuring it out and, real talk, people at work and in life start to take you a bit more seriously. I have been 25 for six months and these are things you should do at this fun age
1. Open a High Yield Savings Account (HYSA)
We will start with the not-so-fun things first. An HYSA is an account that earns a higher percentage rate each month. Most banks offer maybe 1% interest on savings and checking accounts. High Yield is exactly that. My current HYSA is through Sofi Bank, an online bank, that offers me 4% interest each month. I use this as my emergency fund to where if I lose my job or a big expense comes up, I can pull from that. Since opening my account at the beginning of the year, I have earned about $30 in interest. Do your own research on what HYSA works best for you, but don’t wait!
Journal
Your twenties are, let’s just say a lot. You are dealing with “the real world” with big kid jobs and insurance and rent. Not to mention your social life, relationships and more much more that can just be, well, a lot. Take the time to journal out your thoughts and feelings. If you are like me and struggle with some anxiety, this will help immensely. It clears your mind and you may learn something about yourself.
Find a fun hobby
If you pursued education after high school, your life has probably consisted of school work for the last twenty-ish years of your life. Between graduation and now, you may not know what you really like to do. Now is the time to explore that. If you loved to read way back in high school because you had more time, try again. Love being active? Take a fitness class like Pilates, yoga or Zumba. This leads me into my next point…
Try new things
When finding a new hobby, it’s good to keep an open mind and try new things. My best friend and I took an aerial yoga class where you use silks and hang upside down while utilizing the same yoga poses and techniques. It was a blast, but I never thought to try it. And if you don’t have a bestie to go with, don’t be afraid to go by yourself. You may meet a new friend!
Take care of yourself
Self-care is all the rage on social media. From TikTok videos and products on the market that promote relaxation, it is not just a fad. Self-care is real and you need to find something to make sure you check in with yourself. This can be journaling, long showers, or movie nights for yourself. Anything that takes just you to relax and unwind and check in yourself from getting too stressed or overwhelmed with life.
Travel the world! (or just your own backyard)
If you are able to financially, travel! Even if it’s just a weekend to see your college friends or a beach trip with your besties, now is the time. Before you settle down or have children (and you can still do that when you get married and have kids) because it gets so much harder. In the last two years, I have gone to Nashville, New Orleans, lake trips in Alabama and Chicago. All just to get away and to see people that I don’t get to see all the time.
Invest for your retirement
At 25, you have at least 40 years before you are able to retire. So do yourself a favor and set aside some money for your retirement fund. Even if it’s just $5. It all adds up and builds interest and grows and trust me, you will thank yourself later.
Get together with your friends
As you try to find your groove in your twenties, having friends and seeing them regularly is important. It keeps that social component alive and no one knows what you are going through better than another twenty-something-old human trying to figure it out as well.
Don't compare yourself to others
In your twenties, you see people getting married, having kids, moving cities, getting amazing careers, and so much more. It is happening all a different paces and it can be hard not to compare yourself to those around you. But be kind to yourself. You are on your own journey and your own path of life. Know that life is not always linear to everyone else.
This should go without saying, but have fun! Life is too short to not love the life you are given.
