#RealTalk: The hustle of your 20s๐โโ๏ธ
hi lovelies!
20s is the decade of your life that you finally feel free yet not at the same time.
Free to do the things you want, to finally have the financial liberty and autonomy to explore. But for some reason, this liberty feels somewhat daunting?
And some might even argue... what liberty? when we are all deskbound to our 9-5?
20s is the decade of discovery... with this interesting new concept called... adulting.
As someone who just stepped into her #adultingera, and as a fresh graduate in today's gruesome job market, here are 3 learnings over the last year, and some sharing tips for my fellow adulting grads โค๏ธ:
1) Comparison kills: Social Media is more harmful that you think.
In this digital age, its hard to avoid the pressure and stresses from society. From "Have you found a job?" to "why you haven't invest" to "hustle culture", these well intentioned advice from people is what makes us feel like we are never enough. And that's true. If we reach upwards, there is never enough. Respectfully, we will never be satisfied unless we choose to stay present and grounded. For me, that looks like choosing to be present and grateful for all God has blessed me with, and tuning out the noise as much as I can. I heard a set of good advice recently: Everyone has their own goals. Why concern yourself with the goals of someone else for your life if they arent aligned with yours? To put simply, everyone has a different vision of their life, you just need to find yours and work towards it. In the same way, I'm still trying to not to fall for lifestyle inflation (shopee ads are ruthless haha) but of course some indulgence healthy as well (:
2) Getting good at a job / finding a job takes time.
Ngl with today's AI age, we are all under the mercy of chatgpt and automation. As a fresh grad, I find myself navigating job scopes and duties that I lowkey feel underprepared for. I remember in the first 5 months of my work, I felt so much imposter syndrome. But over time I'm learning, as cliche as it sounds, that work outcomes do not define my capabilities or worth. Only God can do that. And work is not linear, its progressive. Give it time and we will pick up the skills we need to do well. As for finding a job, its tough times out there, so take your time to find a role with a good fit. That said, your first role does not have to be your ideal job. We have plenty of time ahead to discover our passion and purpose in career.
3) Money management is a skill, just like everything else.
This took my awhile to learn. I avoided the topics of investment and money cause i thought I was "not good with money" and lowkey cause I didnt want my FA friends to come for me HAHA (I'm sorry!). But over time I learnt that finding a customised portfolio tailored to your current situation takes time. And if you want to handle your money yourself, just treat this topic like a school subject, and learn what is out there, without rushing to the next best opportunity you hear about.
ok that's all I have, but know that we are all doing well, and there is no need to worry ok! God has been my biggest supporter and advisor in this season, and I'm grateful to have Him watch over me. If you'd like to have a convo and make friends, feel free to comment or dm! I'd love to talk more ๐ฅฐ
Blessings for you ~
Entering your 20s truly feels like embarking on an unpredictable journey filled with both excitement and uncertainty. From personal experience, the hustle culture often glamorized on social media can create an overwhelming pressure to always be productive and successful, which sometimes leads to burnout. It took me some time to realize that everyoneโs path is different and that it is okay to progress at your own pace. One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with imposter syndrome when starting my first job. I remember questioning my skills daily and feeling like I didnโt belong, especially in an environment increasingly influenced by AI and automation. Over time, I learned to separate my self-worth from work outcomes and focus on continual learning instead. Accepting that growth in a career is not a straight line helped me stay motivated even during tough times. Money management is another essential skill that often feels daunting initially. I, too, struggled with the idea of investing and budgeting, fearing I wasnโt 'good with money.' Treating financial education as a subject to learn gradually proved very effective. Building a personalized financial plan suited to my current needs, without rushing into trends, brought much-needed stability and confidence. Ultimately, the key lesson is to stay grounded and practice gratitude for your unique journey. Social media might show othersโ highlight reels, but your focus should be on your goals and well-being. Making time for self-care, tuning out societal noise, and seeking support from a community or mentors can make the hustle more manageable. Remember, your 20s are about discovery, sometimes making mistakes, and slowly crafting a life that aligns with your values and passions. Embrace the process with kindness toward yourself and trust that you are capable of navigating adulting in your own authentic way.
