Settle down? Or be wild and free? Quite the popular topic, most young adults are journeying through life and love — often the two intertwine. Should we settle down and find love in our twenties or should we wait until we have life all figured out and we actually “find ourselves?”
My advice is this:
1. Be selfish.
These are your selfish years. If you spend all of your time focusing on someone else, you’ll rob yourself of the opportunity to do things that are entirely for you. Whether or not you’re in a relationship, dating or single, get out there, do everything you can, give yourself this chance to figure things out and establish who you are as an individual. Now is the time in your life to make decisions whether they are right or wrong — that suit you.
2. You are going to screw up.
It’s okay to date every type of person, fall in and out of love, break up, make up, have a one-night stand — all of it. Things won’t always work out, but that’s the point. Embrace the uncertainty, as well as your mistakes. This is all a learning process, so welcome the experience.
3. It’s okay to be single.
Own your independence — take on every opportunity and do everything you
want to do without having to consider someone else. This doesn’t mean you aren’t cut out for a relationship or are un-dateable — it means you are capable of standing on your own two feet and loving yourself without needing someone else.
4. It’s okay to veer off track.
Don’t panic about not being in the place you expected to be romantically at any point in your twenties. You are only in the first quarter of life; wherever you are at right now, embrace it. You will end up in the right place at the
right time. Don’t force the process — just enjoy it. So I say this, wherever mark you are in your twenties, don’t worry about love, if you found it enjoy it. If not, don’t sweat it. Take this time to enjoy time to yourself and all life has to offer.
Written by Tyra Thompson
*Republished from OUT40 Magazine, LLC 2014