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Views Last 30 days : 3719Ah, your 20s—the decade of impulsive decisions, cringe-worthy fashion trends, and the illusion that you have life all figured out. (Spoiler: you don’t.) It’s an era of trial and error, where you juggle ambitions, friendships, and questionable life choices, all while believing your body will never betray you.
Then, one day, you wake up in your 30s, and suddenly, your knees crack like bubble wrap, your back protests after a long sit, and you wonder why you need a recovery period after a day out. Welcome to the club—where staying up past midnight requires careful planning, silence is a luxury, and your idea of fun is comparing air fryers or finding a good lumbar support pillow.
Looking back, I wish someone had handed me a manual for surviving this decade—one filled with hard truths, unspoken lessons, and a few warnings about interest rates and metabolism. But since that didn’t happen, consider this my attempt at giving you a head start. Take notes, or don’t. Either way, life has a funny way of teaching you what you refuse to learn.
1. Your Metabolism Slows Down (And No, It’s Not a Myth)
Remember when you could eat an entire pizza at 2 a.m. and wake up with a flat stomach? Yeah, those days are gone. Once you hit your 30s, your metabolism decides to take things slow—like, really slow. You might notice that weight sticks around a little longer, energy levels dip faster, and you can’t survive on instant noodles and coffee alone anymore.
This doesn’t mean you’re doomed, but it does mean you have to be more mindful. Strength training, eating enough protein, and staying active can help keep your metabolism from completely giving up on you. And no, drinking detox teas won’t fix it—sorry to break it to you
2. Save Money (Yes, Even When You’re Broke)
I get it—saving money in your 20s feels impossible when your paycheck disappears faster than free food at an event. But trust me, your future self will thank you for setting aside even a little each month.
Start small. Automate your savings, even if it’s just RM50 a month. Build an emergency fund, not just for medical bills but for those unexpected “life happens” moments—because trust me, they will come and you eventually need that money to save yourself. And yes, learning how to budget is a skill that will save you from a lot of unnecessary stress.
3. Take Care of Your Skin (Because Aging Is Real)
Remember when you could survive on 3 hours of sleep and still look fresh? Yeah, that doesn’t last forever. Your 30-year-old self will curse you if you don’t start taking care of your skin now.
Here’s a shortcut: Wear sunscreen every day. Hydrate, but don’t fool yourself into thinking drinking water alone is a skincare routine. For the love of your future self, start using moisturizer and retinol—your skin will thank you.
4. Heartbreak Won’t Kill You (Even If It Feels Like It)
Falling in love in your 20s feels like the most important thing in the world—until it’s not. Breakups suck, and yes, you might find yourself dramatically sobbing to Taylor Swift at 3 a.m., but guess what? You’ll survive.
Every heartbreak teaches you something about yourself. Learn to let go, move on, and understand that real love won’t make you question your worth. One day, you’ll look back and realize it was just a chapter, not the whole story.
5. Learn to Cook (Or At Least Something Other Than Instant Noodles)
You can’t survive on takeout forever—at some point, your wallet and your stomach will demand real food. You don’t need to be a MasterChef, but knowing how to cook a few basic meals will save you money, time, and unnecessary digestive regret.
Start simple—learn how to make rice, eggs, and at least one decent meal that doesn’t involve a microwave. Future you will appreciate it.
6. Your Mental Health Deserves as Much Care as Your Physical Health
You wouldn’t ignore a broken leg, so why ignore your mental health? Therapy isn’t just for when you’re falling apart—it’s for maintaining sanity.
Set boundaries, take breaks, and prioritize your well-being before burnout forces you to. There’s no shame in needing help, and investing in your mental health now will make a world of difference later.
7. Travel While You Can (Even If It’s Just a Road Trip)
You don’t need to wait until you’re rich to explore new places. Travel while you have the time, the energy, and the knees that still work.
Even if it’s just a weekend trip to a nearby town, the experiences you gain will be worth more than any expensive handbag. Travel opens your mind, teaches you resilience, and gives you stories that last a lifetime.
8. Not Everyone Deserves Access to You
Not everyone deserves a front-row seat to your life. Stop over-explaining yourself to people who don’t appreciate you. Learn to set boundaries and recognize when a relationship (friendship or otherwise) is draining rather than enriching you.
If someone constantly makes you feel small, exhausted, or undervalued, let them go. Protect your peace.
9. Being Alone Isn’t the Same as Being Lonely
One of the best things you can learn in your 20s is how to enjoy your own company. Being comfortable alone is a superpower—it means you don’t need external validation to feel whole.
A full social calendar doesn’t equal happiness. Learn to enjoy solo dates, quiet moments, and being content with yourself. Your future self will be forever grateful.
10. It’s Okay to Have No Idea What You’re Doing
Spoiler alert: No one has life all figured out. Not in their 20s. Not even in their 30s. (Probably not in their 40s, either.)
The truth is, everyone is just winging it. Life isn’t a straight path, and comparing your timeline to someone else’s is pointless. You don’t have to have the perfect job, relationship, or life plan right now. Instead of stressing about where you “should” be, focus on doing your best with what you have. Growth isn’t always linear, and that’s okay.
11. Stop Trying to Impress People Who Don’t Matter
You know that feeling when you post something on Instagram and keep checking for likes? Yeah, that dopamine hit won’t pay your bills. No one actually cares if you have the latest iPhone or if your outfit is flawless 24/7. The people who truly matter won’t measure your worth by your possessions or social media presence.
Instead of wasting time proving something to people who won’t remember your name in five years, invest in yourself. Learn new skills, build meaningful relationships, and focus on things that will actually make a difference in your life.
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re in your 20s, take a deep breath. Enjoy the mess, make mistakes, and don’t take life too seriously. Your future self will look back and laugh at things that seem like the end of the world right now.
And if you’re already in your 30s, congratulations—you survived! Now go stretch your back, drink some water, and pretend you have it all together. 😉
Love, Hani.
