10 Life Lessons to Learn in Your 20s

The next chapter of your life is waiting. Are you ready?

Even Stronger - We’re all shaped by our childhoods, but we have to move beyond our pasts to create bright futures. It’s a lesson Niecy learned the hard way on last night’s episode of Being Mary Jane. From accepting your parents’ mistakes to realizing the importance of trying something new, don’t enter your next decade without learning these important life lessons. By Kenrya Rankin (Photo: BET)

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Even Stronger - We’re all shaped by our childhoods, but we have to move beyond our pasts to create bright futures. It’s a lesson Niecy learned the hard way on last night’s episode of Being Mary Jane. From accepting your parents’ mistakes to realizing the importance of trying something new, don’t enter your next decade without learning these important life lessons. By Kenrya Rankin (Photo: BET)

Parents Are Just People - They might not have always done things the way you wish they had, and they might not be able to give you what you want, but it’s key to realize that their pasts inform their realities just like yours does. Your mom is super critical? Did your granny nitpick her growing up? Your dad never wants to give you cash? Maybe he grew up without much and wants to you learn how to work for your extras. Seeking some perspective can help you grow wonderful adult relationships with your parents.(Photo: Cavan Images/Corbis)

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Parents Are Just People - They might not have always done things the way you wish they had, and they might not be able to give you what you want, but it’s key to realize that their pasts inform their realities just like yours does. Your mom is super critical? Did your granny nitpick her growing up? Your dad never wants to give you cash? Maybe he grew up without much and wants to you learn how to work for your extras. Seeking some perspective can help you grow wonderful adult relationships with your parents.(Photo: Cavan Images/Corbis)

Relationships Will Come and Go - That person you think you’re madly in love with right now? You might not be able to stand being in the same room in six months. Why? You’re both still growing and learning who you are, and there is a decent chance that you won’t grow in the same direction. Move slowly to avoid tying a knot that’s hard to untangle. (Photo: Sonja Pacho/Corbis)

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Relationships Will Come and Go - That person you think you’re madly in love with right now? You might not be able to stand being in the same room in six months. Why? You’re both still growing and learning who you are, and there is a decent chance that you won’t grow in the same direction. Move slowly to avoid tying a knot that’s hard to untangle. (Photo: Sonja Pacho/Corbis)

You Cannot Change Anyone - No amount of pushing or cajoling or threatening will make your lazy boyfriend more focused, or make your hands-off mom be more active in your life. You literally cannot make anyone do anything they aren’t ready to do. Accept folks for who they are (mom) or move on (boyfriend) and let them come to their own epiphanies. (Photo: Klaus Tiedge/Corbis)

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You Cannot Change Anyone - No amount of pushing or cajoling or threatening will make your lazy boyfriend more focused, or make your hands-off mom be more active in your life. You literally cannot make anyone do anything they aren’t ready to do. Accept folks for who they are (mom) or move on (boyfriend) and let them come to their own epiphanies. (Photo: Klaus Tiedge/Corbis)

It's OK to Fail - “Nothing beats a failure but a try” is a cliché for a reason — it’s true. You probably have a few major responsibilities (work and school come to mind), but it’s nothing like what your 30s will likely bring: Managing a household, simultaneously wiping tiny butts, and making spreadsheets. Your twenties are the time to try a ton of new things and see what sticks. It’s inevitable that many of them won’t. And that’s OK. The process will teach you what you love, what you aspire to, and what makes you happy. So travel extensively, start on your passion project, rally the troops. In short, enjoy it. (Photo: Mika/Corbis)

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It's OK to Fail - “Nothing beats a failure but a try” is a cliché for a reason — it’s true. You probably have a few major responsibilities (work and school come to mind), but it’s nothing like what your 30s will likely bring: Managing a household, simultaneously wiping tiny butts, and making spreadsheets. Your twenties are the time to try a ton of new things and see what sticks. It’s inevitable that many of them won’t. And that’s OK. The process will teach you what you love, what you aspire to, and what makes you happy. So travel extensively, start on your passion project, rally the troops. In short, enjoy it. (Photo: Mika/Corbis)

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Your Ambitions Will Change - Maybe you spent all of your college years telling anyone who would listen about the billion dollar company you were definitely going to start by the time you turned 25, or you worked hard to earn a degree in forensic science, only to discover that you blanch at the sight of blood. There is a very real chance that the things you thought you wanted are not actually the things you want. Don’t let embarrassment, or time and money spent, keep you from pursuing a new avenue. (Photo: Nancy Ney/Corbis)

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Your Ambitions Will Change - Maybe you spent all of your college years telling anyone who would listen about the billion dollar company you were definitely going to start by the time you turned 25, or you worked hard to earn a degree in forensic science, only to discover that you blanch at the sight of blood. There is a very real chance that the things you thought you wanted are not actually the things you want. Don’t let embarrassment, or time and money spent, keep you from pursuing a new avenue. (Photo: Nancy Ney/Corbis)

You Will Lose Friends - Leaving the confines of your parents’ home and the cocoon of college will change your priorities in profound ways. That may very well mean that the friend who is only useful when you want to kick it might not have a place in your life anymore. Your circle will get smaller, but it will get tighter; you’ll be surrounded by people you can count on, and that, lady, is growth. (Photo: Zero Creatives/cultura/Corbis)

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You Will Lose Friends - Leaving the confines of your parents’ home and the cocoon of college will change your priorities in profound ways. That may very well mean that the friend who is only useful when you want to kick it might not have a place in your life anymore. Your circle will get smaller, but it will get tighter; you’ll be surrounded by people you can count on, and that, lady, is growth. (Photo: Zero Creatives/cultura/Corbis)

No Good Can Come From Comparison - Yeah, your homegirl is a doctor and is already married with a newborn. But that’s her path, not yours. Pray for her joy and for your own, then set out on your journey to make it happen. (Photo: Tim Hale Photography/Corbis)

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No Good Can Come From Comparison - Yeah, your homegirl is a doctor and is already married with a newborn. But that’s her path, not yours. Pray for her joy and for your own, then set out on your journey to make it happen. (Photo: Tim Hale Photography/Corbis)

Your Employer Is Fine Without You - Maybe you love your job, or maybe you hate it, but one thing for sure is that they will be just fine when you leave. Don’t ever let a sense of obligation keep you in a gig that doesn’t let you grow. You can be replaced, so you shouldn’t be afraid to move on. (Photo: Masterfile/Radius Images/Corbis)

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Your Employer Is Fine Without You - Maybe you love your job, or maybe you hate it, but one thing for sure is that they will be just fine when you leave. Don’t ever let a sense of obligation keep you in a gig that doesn’t let you grow. You can be replaced, so you shouldn’t be afraid to move on. (Photo: Masterfile/Radius Images/Corbis)

Forgiveness - Forgiveness is a huge factor and if you find yourself unable to move past previous faults, then there’s really not a need to entertain the possibility of reuniting. This includes not throwing all of your ex’s transgressions in their face every time an argument ensues. (Photo: digitalskillet/Getty Images)

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It’s Better to Choose Than to Be Chosen - You will encounter lots of men who want to be with you, whether for the night or for a lifetime. But his choice is not the one that matters — yours is. Pick the one who you want to spend your life with, not the one who is around, or who gives you the most attention. His love for you isn’t enough to build on. You need to choose each other. (Photo: Cavan Images/Corbis)

Hangovers at 21 Aren't the Same as 31 - Man. You used to be able to take shots, dance it off, and wake up feeling refreshed. By the end of your 20s, that’s not so. Just accept that you need to do a little less when you go out, and you’ll have fewer terrible morning-afters. (Alternating drinks with water helps, too.) (Photo: Masterfile/Corbis)

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Hangovers at 21 Aren't the Same as 31 - Man. You used to be able to take shots, dance it off, and wake up feeling refreshed. By the end of your 20s, that’s not so. Just accept that you need to do a little less when you go out, and you’ll have fewer terrible morning-afters. (Alternating drinks with water helps, too.) (Photo: Masterfile/Corbis)