If You Know What You’re Doing In Your 20s, You’re Doing Something Wrong

Do you remember the day you finally felt all grown up? For me, it was the day I got my first cheque for an internship that I had been doing. It was a not a major amount, but it was a cheque in my name. Finally, the internship turned into a steady job and I thought I was set for life. And boy, was I surprised! You see, I had been made to believe that Just like Monica in Friends, I too had found my calling. And like her, I could afford to live in a plush 2-BHK in Delhi, all on my meager salary. If Monica could do it in Friends, I could do it in Delhi. Big Deal! What Friends did not prepare me for was, taxes, bad dates, peer pressure and finally, a depressing career prospect.

By the time I turned 24, I was more like Chandler. Nobody knew what I did for a living. My job did not inspire me, I was miserable, and I could feel my brain cells dying a slow death. However, unlike Chandler, I did not have any savings set aside. A couple of job changes later, after a number of commiserating sessions with friends who found themselves in similar situations, I realized that Friends had taught me a lie. I wasn’t meant to be happily settled in my 20s. It was all a part of the adulting propaganda they feed you to make you a consenting member of the adult world, you see. To make my fellow 20-somethings’ lives easier, I would share a few life lessons that I have learned so far.

Yes, It’s Alright To Not Know What You Want To Do

People who have their 25-year life plan ready when they turn 20 aren’t any special. They are just playing it safe. You might not know this, but sometimes, even they end up not following it. As you grow old, you become more comfortable with yourself. You are more honest with yourself. It becomes easier to identify one’s interests and skills. It also becomes easier to identify what you really want and what you are actually good at. Even the government waited 18 years to give you the right to vote. You can give yourself a year or two to figure it out, after all, it is your life.

The Bad Jobs Are A Part Of It, They Lead You To The Good Ones

Did you know that the famous Thalaiva, Rajnikant was a bus conductor before he became an actor? Or that before reigning the screens as the Wolverine, Hugh Jackman made his living as a party clown. You might not see it right now, but today’s shitty job might be teaching you the skills to build yourself an empire tomorrow. Most of the early jobs that you end up getting are a way for you to learn skills and professionalism. Basically, they teach you how to survive in the working world without making a fool of yourself. Don’t worry, it is just a part of the puzzle! You are yet to see the big picture.

Dated The Wrong Guy? It’s Not The End Of The World

So, your friend is getting married to her high school sweetheart, and you are going to her wedding all by yourself. It’s okay! First of all, it’s okay to be single. Secondly, you have got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince! And this goes for everyone, be it a boy or a girl. Dating is a chance for you to get to know different people and make meaningful connections. Don’t be in a hurry to find the right guy or the right girl. You will get there eventually.

It’s Okay To Make Mistakes

I have yet to come across a person who has made no mistakes in life. After all, it’s only after you fall that you learn to get up. It is a cliché, but every failure brings along with it a valuable lesson. You might be in a hurry to reach your destination, but it is these goof-ups that you make along the way that actually make the journey more memorable. Every date that didn’t work out, every interview that did not translate into an offer, all these are blessings in disguise. There is no bigger life lesson than the one which teaches us how to handle failure. Once you can handle failure, you are free of fear. There is nothing holding you back from trying.

After reading this, it might feel like your 20s are a long-winding road, with unexpected twists and turns. But trust me, you will appreciate this at a later stage. It’s these mistakes and failures that will pave the way for your successful 30s and your well-established 40s. Your 20s are the time for you to goof up and make mistakes, not play it safe. So right now, don’t worry about not having found your dream job or your dream guy. Bas lage raho, Munnabhai!

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