What is something everyone in their 20s should do?
What is something everyone should do in their 20s?
Should everyone YOLO their 20's? Risk it all? What is something you wish you did in your 20's but you didn't do and now you wish you did?
I had the opportunity to go work a couple of years in Asia. Was eye opening and an absolutely amazing experience.
Highly highly encourage anyone who has the option to go work in a finance hub that's not NYC. It's fun af.
What did you take away from that experience? Anything really cool that is super memorable?
Did you like the food and lifestyle over there?
Singapore and Hong Kong have a ton of expats, lots of American, EU and ANZ, which is kind of fun. My group was pretty much all expats and the analysts/associates had no families, so we were super super tight knit. There's something about being somewhere new with no roots, far from home. I'm still super super tight with that group, most of whom have dispersed all over the world.
One of the best parts of Asia is cheap travel. When we knew we had light weekends coming, we'd hit up somewhere beachy like Thailand or the Philippines, or make a trip out to Macau.
Food, culture and nightlife are super vibrant.
Southeast Asia is such a beautiful place, would love to visit again sometime
- Get a degree from the best college they can achieve and afford (and finish it, too)
- Volunteer where possible to give back
- Fall in love as an adult (and have a first long-term, post high school relationship)
- Understand how to treat parents, siblings, and girlfriends and understand their value
- Learn to lead by example, not with words
- Travel the world, ideally before you get married and have kids
- Get outside of your comfort zone. Learn another language. Move to another country. Take calculated risks where you can estimate the reward.
- Understand your own weaknesses and learn to live with them instead of hating them.
Dam! That last one hit close to home for me. You right though! No one's perfect. We all got our own flaws deep down. My flaws used to cripple me, but as I continue to grow and get older I have become more comfortable with myself then ever before.
If a young adult was born/raised in a Western country, almost regardless where exactly, they will certainly compare themselves to others via social media, while at the office, on public transport, when seeing other couples, other peoples' material possessions, and so on...
- There is no point.
All of these external influencers and influences are tempting us to go on an unrealistic path. Just don't. Be yourself and present your strengths instead of focusing on your weaknesses.
I know people who are rich, drop-dead gorgeous and they aren't that happy either.
Agree with all, but volunteering is the one we tend to ignore the most
The easiest and most fun way to volunteer is through your church. Christian churches in most finance cities have extensive volunteering programs and I highly recommend attending those.
Christian churches are no longer the old fashioned houses of worship, they have adapted also during the pandemic and have really good networks. I met so many finance people through church and one potential deal is in the making based on my church alone. Also, if someone is single and is looking for a decent wife... church it is! many attractive girls at my church.
Go abroad, multiple times. Stay at hostels, meet strangers, fuck some foreign broads.
You will always be able to travel. But to truly have that experience the window is very short.
Is there a reason why it's a lot easier to fuck foreign broads than domestic broads?
It's the state of mind. Women love things that can be framed 'romantically'. Meeting a guy abroad when all those other senses are elevated just makes it seem more magical and easier to click.
Also people going abroad are usually going so to get laid to some degree. Not primary motivation - but it certainly is one.
I'd say your 20s is for figuring out what you want your life to look like. Not saying at 21, 22, 23 you need to have everything planned out, but the sooner you figure things out the sooner you can plan for them and it makes them at much easier. Also, not saying that the plan can't or won't change, but better to plan than to not.
For example, say growing up your family had a beach house, and you would like to have one as well. Its easier to start saving a little in your 20s for that, vs trying to figure it out when you're 50.
Depending on how "risky" you want to be, 20s is a great time to explore that stuff. Lot more time to recover vs when youre older.
I went hang gliding in Rio de Janeiro in my 20s - was pretty cool - would recommend.
read tonnes of books.
I wish I studied abroad in college. I don't regret anything because it's a useless emotion, but if a junior in college was asking me the one thing I wish I did when I was his age, study abroad would be it.
Yeah I studied abroad twice - in Europe first and then Asia the next year. Highly recommended.
Go on a road trip that's at least 7 days long. America is such a huge and incredible country (culturally and geographically) and it's a shame so many people feel the need to go abroad to get a thrill. If you haven't already, explore the Badlands of the Dakotas, the greater Colorado river basin (Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Canyonlands, Arches National Parks and Monument Valley), see Mt. Rainier, go skiing in the Rockies, go explore New England in autumn, explore the Everglades and the Bayou, see the Smokey Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, and hike the Appalachian Trail, see the Great Lakes, go to Hawaii and Alaska!
And if nature isn't your thing: go party in Miami, New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans, go to the museums of DC and explore our nations capital, go to the LA Phil at the Walt Disney Hall or the Hollywood Bowl, stand on top of the observation decks in Chicago, go eat great food in Nashville, Kansas City, and Texas, go to music festivals, get drunk at Coney Island, just go out and do stuff in a city you've never been to and will only see once in your life. I don't care what you do, just get in a car and drive.
Also, talk to the locals. All of them, to the extent they're willing to listen. And, you should listen to them more than you talk.
Everyone should live in NYC for a couple years at least in your 20s. Best decision everrrrrrr.
It is not as easy anymore with the rent increases. Not everyone can work in investment banning or management consulting.
P.S. Would JC/Hoboken count as living in NYC?
I think NJ/Hoboken counts, but I believe the true experience is to live in Manhattan.
Why NYC? I wanna move there for a bit but its just so expensive now
NYC is the best for going out / meeting people / tons of things to do in the city / career progression.
So far the things Im glad I did in my twenties are very vague:
1. Push myself: I tried to go all out in many different areas. Everything from finding the right SO, to self improvement through reading and weight lifting, to trying to go above and beyond at work.
2. Make myself uncomfortable: I went after jobs I didn't think I was qualified for, only to find that I could handle more than I thought. Maybe I was middle of the pack, or even bottom bucket, but I made it in a role I didn't think I could handle. Same thing for chasing girls, go after the ones you think are out of your league. Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong. Either way you will be proud of yourself for trying. Hang out with new people you don't know all that well. To add to your network, you can join clubs, non-profits, or tap into your work network. This has been said on WSO a thousand times, but that is for good reason. Meeting new people broadens your perspective, and helps you connect with people that align more toward your newfound interests that arise as you age. Many people just cling to their college-made network, or even their high school friends (I know I am guilty of this to an extent).
3. Travel, travel, travel: It doesnt matter what your all in comp is, you can be frugal if you have to, but make it happen. In your twenties you have very low responsibility relative to your 30s / 40s, so make good use of that time and try to go on as many trips as possible.
4. Find your passions: I found a lot of my hobbies and interests in my 20s, much later in life than most. I did so by trying as many opportunities as I could. In college I joined an ultimate frisbee team with some friends, and despite always thinking it was a boring / weird hobby, I grew to love it. In your 20s, there are always people around you doing different things. Take a yoga class, go explore the city you live in, just try to do something different beyond the standard dinner >>> bar >>> clubs routine. Yes, those nights are often great, but switch it up when you can.
Coke
Quit drinking alcohol
And take the red pill
this but seriously
Try something which you know you will fail to see how far you can go. You are in a period where you do not have big responsibilities and you can bounce really fast from any failure.
Stick your dick in crazy
Nooooooo
It is a rite of passage for every man
I may have even done it multiple times
Not worth it. Worst experiences in my life have come from a psychotic ex girlfriend. The fact is that even if you treat girls right, they have the power to cause a LOT of damage to a man… stay safe and shield yourself from that risk
What kind of damage?
Hard agree. Relationship with my ex fucked me mentally and caused lasting damage (read: anxiety). Be careful and please, if your mother says she is crazy, fucking listen to her.
Hard agree. Relationship with my ex fucked me mentally and caused lasting damage (read: anxiety). Be careful and please, if your mother says she is crazy, fucking listen to her.
Hard agree. Relationship with my ex fucked me mentally and caused lasting damage (read: anxiety). Be careful and please, if your mother says she is crazy, fucking listen to her.
Do things that are out of your comfort zone that become harder to do the older you get. A friend of mine wanted to meet others outside of the US, so he hiked El Camino solo before starting full time. I’m somewhat afraid of heights, so I went skydiving recently.
learn to golf. its a good tool for networking and its a sport you and your buddies can play for a lifetime even as you get older
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Your insight is inspiring.
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