I think once I hit 25, it was like I just became more ~aware~ of my age. Maybe 25 is that magic number where you suddenly start counting differently? Like, you’re halfway over the hump of your twenties and on the brink of a quarter life crisis – maybe you’re married or thinking of settling down, or you just got your own place, or you had your first baby. So many big ~milestones~ are right around the corner, and if we’re not careful, it can easily start to feel like time is just a-flyin’ by. Intentional goal-setting is always important, so today I’ve got 20 goals that every woman should set for herself in her 20’s.
- Create an emergency fund. More on this to come with the help of the credit repair leaders at Lexington Law next month, so stay tuned. But since we’ve mentioned emergency funds around here before, keep in mind that while it may feel “unnecessary,” no one truly expects accidents or emergencies to happen to them. It’s always better to be prepared, so make it a goal to do so.
- Stop complaining. You’ve got five minutes to feel bad for yourself, then it’s onward + upward. Make a plan to make change happen, because complaining isn’t helping anyone or anything.
- Make a short term budget…
- …and a long term budget. Beyond the day-to-day, this means really evaluating your long-term goals and plans in the most realistic way possible at this stage in life. So much can happen in your twenties, from a first house to first kid, all of which come with pretty hefty price tags. Now is the time to kick it up a notch in the responsibility department, ensuring that you’re as prepared as possible for all of the bigger investments looming on the horizon.
- Learn a signature dish. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart – you just have to have something beyond a mean grilled cheese or homemade pizza to impress the in-laws on a random Tuesday night. 😉
- Be super into at least ONE physical activity (and do it for at least 30 minutes a day). Whether that’s a dance class or pilates, weight lifting or trampolining (it’s a thing), find something you lovelovelove that gets you moving, and do it every single day.
- Get serious about credit. And if you’re ready for it, you can get credit assistance and a credit report consultation from Lexington Law to ensure that you’ve got a proven process with real results at your fingertips. They have over 500,000 active clients! FICO released a chart showing that one mistake could decrease your score 110 points. Considering your best possible credit means ensuring you don’t have mistakes or errors going by unnoticed or untreated.
- Find friends outside of your high school or college circles. This was a personal #struggle of mine for a few years given the nature of my job; sure, I’ve got quite a few fabulous friends that I made on the internet, but sometimes you just need some girls to hit up happy hour with or call over for a wine and cheese night. (If you’re at all unsure or wary about making new friends as an adult, this post is full of helpful tips to make it happen!)
- Figure out your faith, or what you believe in. If you’re going to have a “quarter-life crisis,” it’s more helpful than not to have a steady backbone to stand on that isn’t, well, yourself.
- If you’ve got a bucket list, cross a few things off of it. “Someday” isn’t a day of the week. So pick an actual one, and make a few things happen that you’ve always said you would.
- Book a flight somewhere new justbecause…by yourself. When was the last time you traveled solo? Not many of us do – because it can feel intimidating, or even embarassing. But those are often where the most life-altering, ground-breaking personal discoveries happen, and where folks say they “find themselves,” find bliss – even find love or a new outlook on life.
- Address negative items on your credit. Lexington Law is a leading credit repair law firm, and they work to do exactly this – kickstart your credit repair efforts and leverage the law for your credit. They may be able to help with things that may be impacting your credit currently, like collections, late payments, charge offs, liens, bankruptcies, repossessions, etc. If you believe to have negative items on your credit from identity theft, student debt, medical debt, divorce, or military leave, credit repair may be the answer. You can call a credit consultant at Lexington Law or sign up online for a credit report consultation to see if credit repair is the best next step in your own credit journey! Sign up for a Lexinton Law credit report consultation here!
- Drop a bad habit…
- …and develop a good one. We talked a bit about habits on the THRIVE podcast (listen + subscribe here!), and much more to come to the blog on the topic because it’s just *such* a meaty one. But, I mean, at least one bad habit to be nixed and one to be fostered. But if we’re talking all of your twenties, by gosh, you could easily have a handful that you’re striving to add into your personal repertoire.
- Be confident saying “no.” There’s no better time than your twenties to master the art of NO, without feeling the need to justify your response. Remember: “No” is a complete sentence.
- Take care and control of your health + wellness. I had a somewhat harsh personal realization of this myself, but really, you are the ONLY one in control of your own physical, mental, and emotional health + wellness. Everyone lives their days focused on their own – so they don’t have time to focus on yours, too. It’s time to pull up your big girl panties and take ownership, quit the excuses, and make better choices for your own and only vessel to go through life. If you’ve been eating like garbage or living too much of a sedentary lifestyle, there’s no better time than your twenties to do your due diligence and figure out both an eating AND workout regimen that fit your lifestyle. Especially since you’re likely in somewhat of a steadier work groove now, you can’t blame college anymore for an 11 pm chicken ramen dinner or too many beers on Saturday night.
- Maintain intentional “balance.” I always say “balance is a unicorn,” and it is. Which is why I stress intentional here – so, whatever feels balanced to you in the moment, day, season, etc.
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. Because seriously, life’s too short. Laugh at yourself regularly!
- Read intentionally. If there’s one thing I miss most from school days, it’s that feeling of constantly absorbing new knowledge. Sure, a good psychological thriller goes a long way in the R&R department, but I’m always mindful of reading something to learn, too.
- Keep a daily gratitude journal. Gratitude is one of the top psychologically proven practices to increased happiness and satisfaction in life. If you’re not regularly counting your blessings, start now and never stop.
What goals would you add to the list?
And have you ever used Lexington Law before?
*Thanks to Lexington Law, a brand I lovelovelove, for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions + thoughts presented are entirely my own. Thank YOU for supporting the brands that support Coming Up Roses!