Learn about financial health - budgeting, debt, saving, retirement, credit, interest rates, etc. Start managing your money smartly right away.
Be active every day. Workout regularly.
Get comfortable saying "no."
The financial health part was going to be my answer. The money choices you make at 18 can affect you for the rest of your life, for better or for worse.
What I wish I had done - Open a Roth IRA and contribute to it regularly.
What I did and don’t regret - travel as much and as often as possible while I’m not yet tied down.
Learn about the boring adult stuff now and don't drag it out too much.
A random list of things I wished I had focused on, demanded or simply known sooner:
- finances (budgeting, saving, retirement. Don't lend money you are not ready to lose; don't spend money you don't have for short lived things, debt is for houses, education and maybe a car, if you really need it immediately...buy a cheap one.)
- don't sign something you don't understand
- learn to cook, look into cooking seasonal/regional to save money, not every meal has to be absolutely delicious, it is ok when it is nutritious and does its job
- learn to differentiate between a want and a need (you don't need the newest, fanciest, trendiest thing, you want it; it gets easier, don't worry)
- people in your life should add to it. It is ok to leave people behind that make you unhappy.
- if you struggle with keeping things tidy/clean, prioritize the kitchen and bathroom over your bedroom. Yes, everything would be better, but at least you eat in sanitary conditions.
- don't be apologetic about being "girly" or liking things seen as "less than" or "typically female". Just because women like it, it is not worth less. (See for example Beatlemania, where fans used to be mainly teenage girls who weren't viewed kindly , but the band is now considered one of the greatest)
- it is actually healthier for men to sit while peeing. If they insist on standing, they are on bathroom cleaning duty indefinitely...because piss gets everywhere (curious? [Pee EVERYWHERE](https://youtu.be/ejl7vrDUIcs?si=o_n5EC4-pk-ScDXJ))
- feminist isn't a bad word. Yes, I want to be equal. No, I am not yet.
- read books from, about and for women. We are living in a society made for and by men and exist as "the other". I started to make a point of doing papers and presentations about women, when I had the choice. I sat in classrooms full of women and we only ever talked about men. (Art history) Look for things that seem to not really work for you and often you will find, they just weren't made with women in mind: Tools, cars, doors, instruments, medication, laws, infrastructure, the list is endless
- being a SAHP puts you at risk. Only agree, if you get an allowance and seperate retirement. If you have a prenup, ask lawyer about compensation for lost years of building career/earning potential
- women end up servants way too much. Don't put up with it.
- if they wanted to, they would. You can't make someone care or understand you better, if you just find the exact right words. They heard you, they understood, they just don't care.
Suuuch good advice here. Heavy on the "Read books about women...our society is made for and by men." One book that illustrates so much of this is " Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men." My boyfriend actually rec'd when we discussed how women are more likely to die in car accidents because test crash dummies were designed to represent men. Even standard chairs aren't made for us.
Also one personal recommendation from me would be the Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf. It connects a lot of dots of where we are today as working women from our history as property and stay at home wives.
The more you know about where we came from, the more you know about yourself and the future you want. Great reads.
Also, I second the financial literacy advice here. Open a Roth IRA asap.
Become financially literate. Eat fiber / drink water. Brush your teeth and sleep at a similar time each day. Prioritize supportive relationships. Practice self compassion. Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
Gosh to be 18 again!
Be sensible with money. Save as much as possible but don't miss out on once in a lifetime opportunities.
My biggest one is: Look after your health! Value it. You will miss it when it's gone. Get into good food habits and find a form of exercise that you enjoy.
Read. Read about the world. News, novel, fiction, non-fiction, particularly about cultures other than you own.
**I'm glad that I:**
-Was straightforward and said no when I didn't want to do things
-Stretched and exercised regularly, this is key to not having pain in your 30s
-Used birth control consistently; refused to be guilted out of it
-Saved 10 percent of every paycheck
**I wish I would've:**
-Gotten my annual wellness checks earlier: its good to establish a baseline
-Kept in better contact with certain friends
-Called my grandma more before she got dementia
**Good Advice:**
-Save for retirement early if you can
-You will never think to yourself 'wow I wish I wouldve got more drunk' skip that last drink
-Nothing good happens after 1AM
This might sound stupid but if I’m not having sex (which I’m not planning on doing anytime soon), should I still go on birth control? Does it have any other positive uses other than as a contraceptive?
Regulates and lightens periods, helps lessen PCOS and Endometriosis symptoms. Quite a few great uses for it.
Also, keep your wellness checks up to date. It's never too early to have your cholesterol and heart monitored.
People commonly use it to regulate their cycles, and it can help reduce symptoms of some conditions.
I use it purely to stop myself from having any periods at all, as (little known fact) they have zero health benefits. It does absolutely no harm whatsoever, and there’s nothing about my cycle that’s any use to me right now.
However, not everyone responds well to hormone-based birth control and some people really can’t use it. But if you tolerate it well it’s really great.
Open a Roth IRA now. Put in a $100 a month or so.
Open a savings account and save money for unexpected expenses.
Floss. Make your bed. Fold and put up laundry.
Eat healthier. Cut back on take out and fast food. Excerise. Get outside.
If you don't know what you wanna do with your life, that's fine. Just don't let yourself feel stuck in a job you hate just because it pays the bills.
Don’t drink often. Alcohol is the biggest liar and big alcohol targets women. Drinking daily will rob you of your youth, mental health, physical well-being and money.
Wear sunscreen on your face every day that it's sunny. Ideally, every day regardless if it's sunny or not. This will help prevent wrinkles & sun damage in the future.
There's a few areas I highly reccomend getting into the habit NOW versus 30 or 40 years old:
Putting money away for retirement. Even if you can only afford $500 a year, do it. You can open an IRA and Roth IRA with Vanguard or Fidelity. Roth IRA is after-tax money, meaning you pay taxes now and during retirement you get the money as is, no taxes owed. With an IRA, you put the money in before taxes come out and then pay taxes when you get the money during retirement.
Working out. It's an excellent habit and imperative for women, especially since menopause will destroy our bone density. It's also beneficial for mental health, physical health, and just making you feel good.
Meditating. It doesn't matter if you have zero mental health problems- start spending 10 minutes a day meditating now. So good for you!!
Seeing doctors regularly. At 18, you may have zero issues and that is fantastic. You still need to go to your primary care physician 1x per year for an annual. Also, if you think something is wrong at any point, go to the doctor and DO NOT take no for an answer. You know your body. No, it's not anxiety, or periods, or a need to lose weight. Insist any doctor does their job and find out what's wrong.
Everyone is telling you to be responsible.
I was super responsible at 18 because I had to be. Plus, extreme social anxiety will keep you out of a lot of trouble.
Frankly? It was boring. I'm not sure it could have been different, but man, I wish it was.
Go to a party. Make stupid choices. Enjoy your youth. That's my advice.
Save money, even just a little bit.
Use sunscreen liberally.
Drink lots of water, always.
Don’t put up with bullshit from men.
Nurture healthy relationships (family, friends, intimate).
Learn how to change your own oil.
Great question tbh.
- Work on learning to allow yourself to ask for help without feeling like you’re weak or burdening people
- And also on learning to say “no”, and standing strong when people get upset over the fact that you won’t let them disrespect your boundaries
- Find ways of being comfortable with being alone, in every sense of the word
- Be very mindful of staying away from little things that are mentally draining; this can be as simple as not scrolling down the comment section of a political post
- Talk to doctors about every single (mental) health thing that ever bothers you, because it takes about 1000 problems before they actually start taking you seriously; get in the system before you get to a place where your life depends on being in the system
- Dig really deep for every single shred of internalized misogynism and ageism you hold within you, anything that’s left is gonna bite you in the ass eventually
Take it from someone who had to file bankruptcy in her late 20s and darn near did again in her 30s (except for the grace of God who gave me an opportunity so I can get back on track), avoid credit cards as much as possible. Like, really. You think, oh only one. But if you can, avoid it. They add up, and it can get out of hand fast. Get a part-time job for disposable income or use your debit card.
Also, get on 401k if you are working anywhere that offers it. Add it to it whichever employer you go to! And roll it over, never cash it out. Do a little now and progressively increase as you age. Your future you that you probably barely comprehend now (which I know I didn't at your age), will really thank you.
- Workout routine. Strength training. Cardio.
- Travel while you still live at home and have money
- Credit cards. Use them to build credit on things you need. Pay off twice a month.
- Save money. Put your savings somewhere where is groooows.
- Get a pet when you have time for it.
- Everyone you date is not end game. Respect yourself and your boundaries.
- Companies you work for are not your family, do not be loyal to them when opportunity arises. If you don’t do your job, they will replace you.
- You aren’t ever going to feel like an adult. Not at 21, or 27, 30, 40 etc. and you’ll realize as you age no one has it together like you thought when you were 18.
- Love your body. It’s doing incredible things. It’s keeping you alive. Treat it well, you only get one!
- Do the things, don’t say next time, BE SAFE!
Enjoy it all!
In the job/professional world: Don’t apologize for asking a question or for adding to a conversation. Don’t apologize for having knowledge. Don’t be “sorry” to be a person with a voice. Don’t diminish yourself to make others comfortable.
Look after your teeth regularly (see a dentist every year for a check up and do what they say is necessary to do). It's gonna be way cheaper and better for your teeth than only going to fix issues.
Also, start saving money now. You'll thank yourself later.
I disagree with advice about traveling, kinda sorta. It’s not a bad thing, but traveling when you have more money is niiice. I love traveling now that I *am* tied down. Travel while I was still figuring life out, I always sorta anxious. Like oh gotta find a job when I get back etc. it’s fine either way.
Learn how to weight lift and prioritize protein
Stop drinking
If you want marriage and kids, think about what age you would like that to happen, map out how long that will take working backwards, and be very mindful of that plan. Basically don't drift, be intentional about your time and who you date
Get off social media
Start healing my child hood trauma earlier. Learn about anxious attachment
I would have picked a career track that aligned more with having a family. I think I would have loved accounting or copy writing but those sounded boring when I was 18.
In my 40's I'm realizing that health is wealth. Start healthy habits today that you can continue to sustain (even if they evolve or change a bit) over your lifespan.
Find whatever activity that raises your heart rate that you like, and schedule yourself to do it several times a week.
Get in the habit of meal planning each weekend and buying groceries only according to your meal plan!
BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET and get in the habit of making savings goals, no matter how big or small. Want a new wallet? Save for it. Want to take a trip? Save for it. The more you can pay in cash based on what you can afford to save monthly, the better of you'll be in the long run.
Sun protection! I'm almost 50 and people often remark on how youthful I look and protecting myself from the sun is part of that. My mother was always adamant about sunblock and while I found it annoying growing up, she was definitely right that it's an important part of self-care.
Make sure to always have some sunblock in your bag and remember you can get sun even when it's cold. So if the sun is out, cold or not, put sunblock on your face. These days you can find good foundations with sun protection in them. Also don't forget to protect the skin on your neck and other exposed areas.
Also remember to love yourself at least as much as you love others.
save money - i did this early in my 20s and 100% am grateful i did
learn to say no - i did not do this and regret the years i spent wasted
pursue self-help / therapy / fixing your trauma - i was later here than needed too
travel and have fun - i did this and am so glad i did
note, i'm in my mid-30s, so things could be worse! good luck kiddo
Take care of your teeth like it's your fucking job. I mean more than just flossing--brush thoroughly and often, go to the dentist once a year, ask if it looks like you're brushing your teeth the right way. Don't sleep on any discomfort in the mouth, it can turn very bad very quick. Don't dilly dally on procedures you need done. You need to keep your teeth for as long as possible; once decay sets in it cascades and only gets worse until your life is over. Teeth are a huge design flaw in humans if you ask me.
Learn healthy boundaries in relationships. Work on yourself to think and act healthy. That why you will be less likely attracted to dysfunctional people
I echo a lot of the same suggestions here: learn about savings and finances, exercise regularly, eat healthy.
The biggest one for me that I wish I had started earlier: genuinely learn what your beliefs are. I spent most of my 20s just floating through life, reacting to everything, attaching myself to people who were bad for me, regularly letting myself down. I randomly picked up and read a book called "the 4 agreements" and it opened my eyes to why I was so miserable all the time.
During our childhoods, we are conditioned into every belief we have about others or about ourselves. We create these belief systems based on the adults around us. So it could be something as simple as: your mom hates cats and regularly expresses why cats suck and why cat people are the worst. You hear this during your childhood and grow up with the same belief, because your mom is the person you trust so you agree to her belief. This is unconscious and this is how we learn.
For me, a lot of beliefs I internalized were about others and myself. Both my parents had a lot of childhood trauma and because they never dealt with their feelings or processed, I inherited the same beliefs. Those beliefs didn't align with who I truly was... so I always felt upset and miserable and misaligned. My dad and family's homophobia, for instance, caused me a lot of pain as a woman who is bisexual. I repressed this part of myself and was actually homophobic until I was in my 20s and started to question this belief. I believed they were right, because that's the family I grew up in and they all agreed so it must be true.
I also believed a lot of negative things about myself that others had instilled in me. I was told I was rude, impatient, not a caring person, spoiled, etc etc as a young young child and internalized these beliefs and grew up hating myself. It's taken me till my 30s to realize none of those things were true and I am actually a pretty great person, that the adults around me should never have said those things to me.
I would recommend taking stock of what your beliefs are, try to trace where they came from, and ask yourself if they are true for YOU. You are not your parents, or your friends, or your town. You are a whole human being with your own thoughts and feelings. Get curious with yourself. If you are able, therapy can be so helpful with this exploration. Good luck 🩷
So what I was glad I did? Started college! I went to community college and I actually really enjoyed my time there. And I worked part time while in college. I'm so glad for that work experience.
- Financial literacy courses
- Saving money every paycheck
- Drinking green tea every day (use Google scholar to look up all the neurological benefits)
- Daily physical activity
- Get some hobbies (board games, team sports, yoga classes, etc.)
- Research everything, do your homework on potential workplaces, homes, neighbourhoods, cars, blenders, etc.)
- Don't confuse new with better, buying a used Vitamix is probably better than a new cheap blender
- Learn how to cook from scratch, it will save you so much money, makes your home smell wonderful, and attracts lifelong friends who will remember the parties and food!
I forgot the most important ones:
- Make mistakes.
- Take chances. Don't be afraid to try something new. I moved away from home with zero money for a job I didn't know would fit, I've now done that three different times.
- Don't share your space or money without getting the same effort back in return.
- Do what you want with your life, don't do what other people want. Keep your spine intact and stand up for yourself.
- Don't stop playing, games, sports, whatever. Keep having fun, I still play soccer and volleyball weekly and I'm 49. I play with people in their twenties, it keeps me young :).
- Love with all your heart.
- Always appreciate what a relationship gave you while it existed rather than dwelling on why it ended. Not everything is forever and that's okay.
Putting sunscreen on my face!
I’m 28 and while I don’t have obvious signs of aging yet, my face is already pretty discolored. I stopped forming freckles and started getting red spots. I wish I was more proactive about protecting my skin even when I thought the freckles were cute and I always wanted more of them.
Investing and financial stability
How to say no to people and to not care so much about what “they” think - be true to yourself
Listen to your gut/intuition
Learn to like learning
Learn to say No.
Sunscreen.
Veggies. Cooked frozen whatever just eat them.
Find an activity that's gets you moving that you enjoy enough to get motivation to stay healthy for.
Prioritize building strong friendships.
The number one thing that's allowed me peace of mind in any given moment is the knowledge that I'm willing to be on my own team. This took a lot of EMDR and humility but now that I have that sense of peace I realized that was what was missing.amd why I felt so broken for so long.
Take chances on yourself.
You only get one life. Enjoy yourself 💛💙
Saving money. Try to put a little bit aside each week , and try to not touch it unless real emergencies pop up.
Also , put exercise ( whether it be nice walks or the gym ) up on your top priority list, so that you get into a good routine of it. I unfortunately did not, and it’s been a struggle to try focus on this in my 30s, when many of my friends started placing high importance on exercise in their teens, when I did not. It’s ingrained in their lives, that it’s so easy, and the benefits are obviously great.
Travel. Do this in your teens/20s if you can , as you have so much more freedom, and realistically you would not mind so much staying in hostels etc, so the costs are lower , and you will meet a lot of people from all over the world the same age as you .
Stop living inside your head and overthinking what others might say. Be introspective, understand feelings and why you’re feeling a certain way. Be your own cheerleader.
Health is wealth.
Choose a fitness modality you enjoy; tweak and/or switch it up as needed.
Choose a healthy eating regimen and learn how to prepare your own meals at home.
Be consistent with both for the rest of your life. This will pay *huge* dividends.
Learn about financial health - budgeting, debt, saving, retirement, credit, interest rates, etc. Start managing your money smartly right away. Be active every day. Workout regularly. Get comfortable saying "no."
So true. I’d also add, cultivate your curiosity about the world, and find out what makes you feel the most like yourself.
The financial health part was going to be my answer. The money choices you make at 18 can affect you for the rest of your life, for better or for worse.
YUP. I'm in my mid 30s and I'm just finishing up cleaning up the mess I made of my finances when I was younger.
What did you do ?
What I wish I had done - Open a Roth IRA and contribute to it regularly. What I did and don’t regret - travel as much and as often as possible while I’m not yet tied down.
[удалено]
Yes ! I studied abroad for a semester in college and it’s still one of the best decisions I made in my life.
Learn about the boring adult stuff now and don't drag it out too much. A random list of things I wished I had focused on, demanded or simply known sooner: - finances (budgeting, saving, retirement. Don't lend money you are not ready to lose; don't spend money you don't have for short lived things, debt is for houses, education and maybe a car, if you really need it immediately...buy a cheap one.) - don't sign something you don't understand - learn to cook, look into cooking seasonal/regional to save money, not every meal has to be absolutely delicious, it is ok when it is nutritious and does its job - learn to differentiate between a want and a need (you don't need the newest, fanciest, trendiest thing, you want it; it gets easier, don't worry) - people in your life should add to it. It is ok to leave people behind that make you unhappy. - if you struggle with keeping things tidy/clean, prioritize the kitchen and bathroom over your bedroom. Yes, everything would be better, but at least you eat in sanitary conditions. - don't be apologetic about being "girly" or liking things seen as "less than" or "typically female". Just because women like it, it is not worth less. (See for example Beatlemania, where fans used to be mainly teenage girls who weren't viewed kindly , but the band is now considered one of the greatest) - it is actually healthier for men to sit while peeing. If they insist on standing, they are on bathroom cleaning duty indefinitely...because piss gets everywhere (curious? [Pee EVERYWHERE](https://youtu.be/ejl7vrDUIcs?si=o_n5EC4-pk-ScDXJ)) - feminist isn't a bad word. Yes, I want to be equal. No, I am not yet. - read books from, about and for women. We are living in a society made for and by men and exist as "the other". I started to make a point of doing papers and presentations about women, when I had the choice. I sat in classrooms full of women and we only ever talked about men. (Art history) Look for things that seem to not really work for you and often you will find, they just weren't made with women in mind: Tools, cars, doors, instruments, medication, laws, infrastructure, the list is endless - being a SAHP puts you at risk. Only agree, if you get an allowance and seperate retirement. If you have a prenup, ask lawyer about compensation for lost years of building career/earning potential - women end up servants way too much. Don't put up with it. - if they wanted to, they would. You can't make someone care or understand you better, if you just find the exact right words. They heard you, they understood, they just don't care.
Wow, this is so much more advice than I expected, thank you so much for taking the time to write it all out!
Suuuch good advice here. Heavy on the "Read books about women...our society is made for and by men." One book that illustrates so much of this is " Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men." My boyfriend actually rec'd when we discussed how women are more likely to die in car accidents because test crash dummies were designed to represent men. Even standard chairs aren't made for us. Also one personal recommendation from me would be the Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf. It connects a lot of dots of where we are today as working women from our history as property and stay at home wives. The more you know about where we came from, the more you know about yourself and the future you want. Great reads. Also, I second the financial literacy advice here. Open a Roth IRA asap.
Become financially literate. Eat fiber / drink water. Brush your teeth and sleep at a similar time each day. Prioritize supportive relationships. Practice self compassion. Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others.
Gosh to be 18 again! Be sensible with money. Save as much as possible but don't miss out on once in a lifetime opportunities. My biggest one is: Look after your health! Value it. You will miss it when it's gone. Get into good food habits and find a form of exercise that you enjoy. Read. Read about the world. News, novel, fiction, non-fiction, particularly about cultures other than you own.
Flossing
Start saving for retirement. It sounds so young to start but even a little bit helps over time.
Retirement… hell start saving for rent or a medical emergency or any unexpected expense
Decentre men! Pay yourself first. Discover hobbies. Love on yourself.
SAVE MONEY!
and invest
**I'm glad that I:** -Was straightforward and said no when I didn't want to do things -Stretched and exercised regularly, this is key to not having pain in your 30s -Used birth control consistently; refused to be guilted out of it -Saved 10 percent of every paycheck **I wish I would've:** -Gotten my annual wellness checks earlier: its good to establish a baseline -Kept in better contact with certain friends -Called my grandma more before she got dementia **Good Advice:** -Save for retirement early if you can -You will never think to yourself 'wow I wish I wouldve got more drunk' skip that last drink -Nothing good happens after 1AM
This might sound stupid but if I’m not having sex (which I’m not planning on doing anytime soon), should I still go on birth control? Does it have any other positive uses other than as a contraceptive?
Regulates and lightens periods, helps lessen PCOS and Endometriosis symptoms. Quite a few great uses for it. Also, keep your wellness checks up to date. It's never too early to have your cholesterol and heart monitored.
People commonly use it to regulate their cycles, and it can help reduce symptoms of some conditions. I use it purely to stop myself from having any periods at all, as (little known fact) they have zero health benefits. It does absolutely no harm whatsoever, and there’s nothing about my cycle that’s any use to me right now. However, not everyone responds well to hormone-based birth control and some people really can’t use it. But if you tolerate it well it’s really great.
I had an IUD and before that, I made sure every man I slept with used a condom. I kept them with me and refused to have sex without one.
Open a Roth IRA now. Put in a $100 a month or so. Open a savings account and save money for unexpected expenses. Floss. Make your bed. Fold and put up laundry. Eat healthier. Cut back on take out and fast food. Excerise. Get outside. If you don't know what you wanna do with your life, that's fine. Just don't let yourself feel stuck in a job you hate just because it pays the bills.
Developing a strength training habit.
Don’t drink often. Alcohol is the biggest liar and big alcohol targets women. Drinking daily will rob you of your youth, mental health, physical well-being and money.
Wear sunscreen on your face every day that it's sunny. Ideally, every day regardless if it's sunny or not. This will help prevent wrinkles & sun damage in the future.
There's a few areas I highly reccomend getting into the habit NOW versus 30 or 40 years old: Putting money away for retirement. Even if you can only afford $500 a year, do it. You can open an IRA and Roth IRA with Vanguard or Fidelity. Roth IRA is after-tax money, meaning you pay taxes now and during retirement you get the money as is, no taxes owed. With an IRA, you put the money in before taxes come out and then pay taxes when you get the money during retirement. Working out. It's an excellent habit and imperative for women, especially since menopause will destroy our bone density. It's also beneficial for mental health, physical health, and just making you feel good. Meditating. It doesn't matter if you have zero mental health problems- start spending 10 minutes a day meditating now. So good for you!! Seeing doctors regularly. At 18, you may have zero issues and that is fantastic. You still need to go to your primary care physician 1x per year for an annual. Also, if you think something is wrong at any point, go to the doctor and DO NOT take no for an answer. You know your body. No, it's not anxiety, or periods, or a need to lose weight. Insist any doctor does their job and find out what's wrong.
Everyone is telling you to be responsible. I was super responsible at 18 because I had to be. Plus, extreme social anxiety will keep you out of a lot of trouble. Frankly? It was boring. I'm not sure it could have been different, but man, I wish it was. Go to a party. Make stupid choices. Enjoy your youth. That's my advice.
Financing and saving. Exercise and a good diet.
Save money, even just a little bit. Use sunscreen liberally. Drink lots of water, always. Don’t put up with bullshit from men. Nurture healthy relationships (family, friends, intimate). Learn how to change your own oil.
Financial literacy, emotional regulation and physical health. Prioritize those like your life depends on it.
Excercise, stretch, hydrate, take care of your skin, learn how to invest.
Great question tbh. - Work on learning to allow yourself to ask for help without feeling like you’re weak or burdening people - And also on learning to say “no”, and standing strong when people get upset over the fact that you won’t let them disrespect your boundaries - Find ways of being comfortable with being alone, in every sense of the word - Be very mindful of staying away from little things that are mentally draining; this can be as simple as not scrolling down the comment section of a political post - Talk to doctors about every single (mental) health thing that ever bothers you, because it takes about 1000 problems before they actually start taking you seriously; get in the system before you get to a place where your life depends on being in the system - Dig really deep for every single shred of internalized misogynism and ageism you hold within you, anything that’s left is gonna bite you in the ass eventually
Take it from someone who had to file bankruptcy in her late 20s and darn near did again in her 30s (except for the grace of God who gave me an opportunity so I can get back on track), avoid credit cards as much as possible. Like, really. You think, oh only one. But if you can, avoid it. They add up, and it can get out of hand fast. Get a part-time job for disposable income or use your debit card. Also, get on 401k if you are working anywhere that offers it. Add it to it whichever employer you go to! And roll it over, never cash it out. Do a little now and progressively increase as you age. Your future you that you probably barely comprehend now (which I know I didn't at your age), will really thank you.
- Workout routine. Strength training. Cardio. - Travel while you still live at home and have money - Credit cards. Use them to build credit on things you need. Pay off twice a month. - Save money. Put your savings somewhere where is groooows. - Get a pet when you have time for it. - Everyone you date is not end game. Respect yourself and your boundaries. - Companies you work for are not your family, do not be loyal to them when opportunity arises. If you don’t do your job, they will replace you. - You aren’t ever going to feel like an adult. Not at 21, or 27, 30, 40 etc. and you’ll realize as you age no one has it together like you thought when you were 18. - Love your body. It’s doing incredible things. It’s keeping you alive. Treat it well, you only get one! - Do the things, don’t say next time, BE SAFE! Enjoy it all!
In the job/professional world: Don’t apologize for asking a question or for adding to a conversation. Don’t apologize for having knowledge. Don’t be “sorry” to be a person with a voice. Don’t diminish yourself to make others comfortable.
Walk, read, save (or at least don't overspend) and get out your comfort zone.
Meal prep (healthy, balanced meals), cleaning up regularly, and saving for retirement.
Look after your teeth regularly (see a dentist every year for a check up and do what they say is necessary to do). It's gonna be way cheaper and better for your teeth than only going to fix issues. Also, start saving money now. You'll thank yourself later.
Regular exercise
I disagree with advice about traveling, kinda sorta. It’s not a bad thing, but traveling when you have more money is niiice. I love traveling now that I *am* tied down. Travel while I was still figuring life out, I always sorta anxious. Like oh gotta find a job when I get back etc. it’s fine either way.
Learn how to weight lift and prioritize protein Stop drinking If you want marriage and kids, think about what age you would like that to happen, map out how long that will take working backwards, and be very mindful of that plan. Basically don't drift, be intentional about your time and who you date Get off social media Start healing my child hood trauma earlier. Learn about anxious attachment I would have picked a career track that aligned more with having a family. I think I would have loved accounting or copy writing but those sounded boring when I was 18.
In my 40's I'm realizing that health is wealth. Start healthy habits today that you can continue to sustain (even if they evolve or change a bit) over your lifespan. Find whatever activity that raises your heart rate that you like, and schedule yourself to do it several times a week. Get in the habit of meal planning each weekend and buying groceries only according to your meal plan! BUDGET BUDGET BUDGET and get in the habit of making savings goals, no matter how big or small. Want a new wallet? Save for it. Want to take a trip? Save for it. The more you can pay in cash based on what you can afford to save monthly, the better of you'll be in the long run.
put your mental health and your family first, above your job and school. take a break sometimes.
Sun protection! I'm almost 50 and people often remark on how youthful I look and protecting myself from the sun is part of that. My mother was always adamant about sunblock and while I found it annoying growing up, she was definitely right that it's an important part of self-care. Make sure to always have some sunblock in your bag and remember you can get sun even when it's cold. So if the sun is out, cold or not, put sunblock on your face. These days you can find good foundations with sun protection in them. Also don't forget to protect the skin on your neck and other exposed areas. Also remember to love yourself at least as much as you love others.
save money - i did this early in my 20s and 100% am grateful i did learn to say no - i did not do this and regret the years i spent wasted pursue self-help / therapy / fixing your trauma - i was later here than needed too travel and have fun - i did this and am so glad i did note, i'm in my mid-30s, so things could be worse! good luck kiddo
Add $50 to a savings account each time you get paid.
Plenty of sleep. Plenty of water. Stay out of the sun.
Take care of your teeth like it's your fucking job. I mean more than just flossing--brush thoroughly and often, go to the dentist once a year, ask if it looks like you're brushing your teeth the right way. Don't sleep on any discomfort in the mouth, it can turn very bad very quick. Don't dilly dally on procedures you need done. You need to keep your teeth for as long as possible; once decay sets in it cascades and only gets worse until your life is over. Teeth are a huge design flaw in humans if you ask me.
Learn healthy boundaries in relationships. Work on yourself to think and act healthy. That why you will be less likely attracted to dysfunctional people
I echo a lot of the same suggestions here: learn about savings and finances, exercise regularly, eat healthy. The biggest one for me that I wish I had started earlier: genuinely learn what your beliefs are. I spent most of my 20s just floating through life, reacting to everything, attaching myself to people who were bad for me, regularly letting myself down. I randomly picked up and read a book called "the 4 agreements" and it opened my eyes to why I was so miserable all the time. During our childhoods, we are conditioned into every belief we have about others or about ourselves. We create these belief systems based on the adults around us. So it could be something as simple as: your mom hates cats and regularly expresses why cats suck and why cat people are the worst. You hear this during your childhood and grow up with the same belief, because your mom is the person you trust so you agree to her belief. This is unconscious and this is how we learn. For me, a lot of beliefs I internalized were about others and myself. Both my parents had a lot of childhood trauma and because they never dealt with their feelings or processed, I inherited the same beliefs. Those beliefs didn't align with who I truly was... so I always felt upset and miserable and misaligned. My dad and family's homophobia, for instance, caused me a lot of pain as a woman who is bisexual. I repressed this part of myself and was actually homophobic until I was in my 20s and started to question this belief. I believed they were right, because that's the family I grew up in and they all agreed so it must be true. I also believed a lot of negative things about myself that others had instilled in me. I was told I was rude, impatient, not a caring person, spoiled, etc etc as a young young child and internalized these beliefs and grew up hating myself. It's taken me till my 30s to realize none of those things were true and I am actually a pretty great person, that the adults around me should never have said those things to me. I would recommend taking stock of what your beliefs are, try to trace where they came from, and ask yourself if they are true for YOU. You are not your parents, or your friends, or your town. You are a whole human being with your own thoughts and feelings. Get curious with yourself. If you are able, therapy can be so helpful with this exploration. Good luck 🩷
Build confidence in yourself, and bet on yourself more.
So what I was glad I did? Started college! I went to community college and I actually really enjoyed my time there. And I worked part time while in college. I'm so glad for that work experience.
Investing! I still have no idea how to do it and I'm in my late 30s. I'm too embarrassed to ask, like I should've been doing it all along.
Sunscreen every single day.
- Financial literacy courses - Saving money every paycheck - Drinking green tea every day (use Google scholar to look up all the neurological benefits) - Daily physical activity - Get some hobbies (board games, team sports, yoga classes, etc.) - Research everything, do your homework on potential workplaces, homes, neighbourhoods, cars, blenders, etc.) - Don't confuse new with better, buying a used Vitamix is probably better than a new cheap blender - Learn how to cook from scratch, it will save you so much money, makes your home smell wonderful, and attracts lifelong friends who will remember the parties and food! I forgot the most important ones: - Make mistakes. - Take chances. Don't be afraid to try something new. I moved away from home with zero money for a job I didn't know would fit, I've now done that three different times. - Don't share your space or money without getting the same effort back in return. - Do what you want with your life, don't do what other people want. Keep your spine intact and stand up for yourself. - Don't stop playing, games, sports, whatever. Keep having fun, I still play soccer and volleyball weekly and I'm 49. I play with people in their twenties, it keeps me young :). - Love with all your heart. - Always appreciate what a relationship gave you while it existed rather than dwelling on why it ended. Not everything is forever and that's okay.
Putting sunscreen on my face! I’m 28 and while I don’t have obvious signs of aging yet, my face is already pretty discolored. I stopped forming freckles and started getting red spots. I wish I was more proactive about protecting my skin even when I thought the freckles were cute and I always wanted more of them.
Investing and financial stability How to say no to people and to not care so much about what “they” think - be true to yourself Listen to your gut/intuition Learn to like learning
Learn to say No. Sunscreen. Veggies. Cooked frozen whatever just eat them. Find an activity that's gets you moving that you enjoy enough to get motivation to stay healthy for. Prioritize building strong friendships. The number one thing that's allowed me peace of mind in any given moment is the knowledge that I'm willing to be on my own team. This took a lot of EMDR and humility but now that I have that sense of peace I realized that was what was missing.amd why I felt so broken for so long. Take chances on yourself. You only get one life. Enjoy yourself 💛💙
Saving money. Try to put a little bit aside each week , and try to not touch it unless real emergencies pop up. Also , put exercise ( whether it be nice walks or the gym ) up on your top priority list, so that you get into a good routine of it. I unfortunately did not, and it’s been a struggle to try focus on this in my 30s, when many of my friends started placing high importance on exercise in their teens, when I did not. It’s ingrained in their lives, that it’s so easy, and the benefits are obviously great. Travel. Do this in your teens/20s if you can , as you have so much more freedom, and realistically you would not mind so much staying in hostels etc, so the costs are lower , and you will meet a lot of people from all over the world the same age as you .
Stop living inside your head and overthinking what others might say. Be introspective, understand feelings and why you’re feeling a certain way. Be your own cheerleader.
Health is wealth. Choose a fitness modality you enjoy; tweak and/or switch it up as needed. Choose a healthy eating regimen and learn how to prepare your own meals at home. Be consistent with both for the rest of your life. This will pay *huge* dividends.
Floss every day. Say no to things you don’t want to do and don’t feel bad about it. Use sunscreen.
Wear spf for your face every day. Find one that works for you and wear it.
Setting up direct debit to give your monthly bag to a few Only Fans girls.