In our fast-paced and ever-changing world, young adults in their 20s are faced with challenges as they navigate through early adulthood. From establishing their careers to building meaningful relationships, the journey can be overwhelming and daunting. However, as they say, experience is the best teacher, and there is no one better to turn to for guidance than those who have already walked the path.

In this article, I bring you advice from women in their 40s who have been through it all and have come out wiser and stronger. These women share their insights on what they wish they had known in their 20s, what they have learned along the way, and how they have grown from their experiences. Whether you’re just starting out on your journey or looking to make a change, these words of wisdom from women who have been there can help you navigate your way to a fulfilling life.

1. Don’t be afraid to be single. Life has so much to offer, and while there are joys of being committed to someone, there are also some aspects of life where you will be thankful you’re single. You are complete not only if you have a partner. You are complete when you have the freedom to enjoy the opportunities that come your way. – Karen Tayao
2. Build your networks. Professional, spiritual, and whatever else. Be fearless in your 20s; wisdom is built from being daring in youth. – Patricia Garcia
3. Learn to love your body, your complexion, and your hair. They are you, from your ancestors. Do not ever feel disgraced, you carry the blood of some very strong people. Never ever compare with photoshopped humans in mags and media. – Sabi Lila
4. You are the only person that can make you happy. Be weird. Have an “I don’t give a f*ck” attitude when it comes to others’ opinions of you. Always be yourself. – Jen Malone
5. Life is not an ascending plane upward. Success can be a failure. A failure can be a success. Best advice- enjoy the ride. – Amber Whitney
6. Work hard, and save your money. My father always told me to put money in a 401k & I did that. I enjoy not working now & spending lots of time with my dogs. – M Paula Frocione Barber
7. Happiness is always there, you just have to work a bit harder to find it sometimes. – Delia Yapp
8. Start saving for retirement now. Spend as much time with family while you have them. Cultivate healthy relationships. Learn from mistakes. – LaShelle Michael
9. Let go of the stupid stuff, let go of the drama. It just doesn’t matter. You’ll never make everyone happy. Be a good person, work hard, and be happy! – Cara Donnelly Norby
10. Get your education, Get a great job, travel, and do what makes YOU HAPPY. Don’t ever get married or have children. Rescue Animals. They are so loving and the best friend you will ever have. – Michelle Smith Gibson
11. Listen to your gut, continuously learn things that you find interesting, keep your word, be kind, and see yourself as worthy of achieving whatever you wish – Jeanine Joy
12. Learn to be happy in your skin and with your own company. If the right person does come along, you will be ready to share the fullness of yourself. Learn to be handy. It will serve you well for your whole life. Lean on God through the tough times…there will be lots, but you will have the strength to get through them. – Julie Nelson
13. Figure out who TF you are – your values, goals, and needs – and then act like it. Don’t be around people or environments that compromise it. Put all of that (yourself) first and don’t listen to what anyone else has to say about it. – Amy Knapp
14. What other people think about you is none of your business. – Patty Lynn
15. Spend time with your parents – Kimberly King
16. Don’t get married! Stay single and successful! – Sandi Davis
17. Life is short. Love your people. Travel. Find happiness in whatever way it comes to you. Do YOU. – Andrea Jeanette
18. Always think positive. That gives you a better outlook on life and you will be happier for it. Always give thanks to God for your blessings. Let God guide you and you will go where you need to be. Then you will have peace that surpasses all understanding. – Barbara Ann Bissette
19. Don’t forsake yourself for anyone else. Period – Lauren Huppert
20. Accept that it is normal to not always be happy and that as humans, we are meant to experience a range of emotions. – Kelly Clemente

    

21. Nothing is a failure, learn from it and carry on. – Linda Reimer
22. Don’t rely on anyone but yourself. Especially with money. – Tanya Nissen
23. Invest your money well. You don’t need big kid toys and all the material crap. Go on trips. Don’t be afraid to let go of old friends who don’t value you. But at the same time, keep good friends, and don’t lose your identity to someone else. Those friends you will need in your 30s and 40s. – Jennifer Leigh
24. Stash funds just in case you ever feel the need to find an exit. – Jenn Freiman
25. You are not a rehab for your partner. People with bad habits do not change. Spend your energy with someone better. – Mary Nelson
26. Show up, work hard, don’t go into cc debt, wait to have babies, don’t lie, be a person of your word, and always do the right thing. Respect all and show kindness to all. – Michelle Madderra
27. You’ll never have it all together. And that’s ok – Jesse Ranee
28. F*ck it, go for it! Don’t wait for “the right time” if you want that house, go into debt and get it, if you want to travel, go! Work and travel until your heart’s content, if you want children, don’t wait! Pop them out! It’s nice to be “romantic” in life waiting for more money, the right time, or the right partner but life passes by so quickly if you don’t jump in it’s like a perpetual merry-go-round of life excuses why not and life is far too short to wait for anything or anyone. – Libby Turacchio Maiuto
29. Get to know yourself intimately, without influence from the rest of the world. And appreciate all the edges. You’re uniquely you. – Joy Owen
30. Command respect by setting and sticking to clear boundaries. Never be afraid to cut anyone off who steals your peace. – Melanie Valencia
31. Do not settle for less than what makes you comfortable. This applies to everything. Listen to your intuition. Seriously, it knows more than you. – Judi Shepard
32. Getting older doesn’t suck. Superficial things are a waste of your life.  Toxic positivity is dangerous.  Love yourself. No matter what. – Ella J. Obi
33. Life hasn’t begun to kick your butt yet. So don’t be in a rush to get married and have kids. Get a good job, save money, so you don’t have to struggle, things are gonna get a lot worse – Sue Dawson
34. Don’t settle for a person cuz you’re lonely or get married by graduation.  Being child-free is an acceptable option.  Don’t overuse your credit cards.  Take a career personality test to define your career path.  Don’t use your student loan $$ to buy drinks, drugs, or clothes.  Seek therapy so you can be emotionally and mentally healthy. – Allison Page

35. In life, you will always have 3 choices, to be right, to be comfortable, or to be comfortable with being right.  Make yourself at a point of being comfortable with being right. – Sumeet Punjabi

36. Stay true to yourself.  Do what you love–not what you’re told to love. Create the environment that’s right for you. Choose your friends wisely. Develop positive habits. Create certainty and leave room for uncertainty. Be vulnerable.  Help others it will make you happy.  Make people smile; that will also make you feel better.  Love people who you think hate you and broke them with your kindness.  Always smile at the end that’s for your happiness.  – Samira Rasheed
37. If it makes you happy, it doesn’t have to make sense to others. – Prasanthi
38. Talk to/Get advice from people whom you aspire to be years from now. – Dinah de Lola
39. “Just be kind”. Life is fairly unfair. Everyone has struggles in life, not the same difficulties but in million different ways. One piece of advice one can live for is to BE KIND. Be kind to your parents who brought you into this world. Be kind to everyone around you. Be kind to yourself who are still trying to figure out the way of life. “It’s okay not to be okay!” Feel the pain, adapt, then learn to smile again.  “Have fun.” Life is full of colors when you know how to enjoy it harmlessly. “It is your life, your responsibility. BE YOU!”. No one can dictate who you wanna be. Your choice, your action, your credit! You may fall, rise up and learn. – Aileen Pepito
40. On Life: Live unapologetically. Decide for yourself.  You don’t owe anyone an explanation of how you want to live your life.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, face the consequences, it’s okay to fail.  Allow yourself to f*ck up, that’s how you will learn to pick yourself up and move forward.  Work on your goals and dream first; make yourself smart, strong, and successful but compassionate.  On Love:  Date wisely.  Don’t date out of fear of missing out.  Choose who you let into your life.  If a man isn’t good for your mental health, walk away.  Don’t collect heartbreaks and regrets over time.  Love and respect yourself so that you’ll be strong enough to walk away when you feel you’re not being treated well.  Invest in people who invest in you.  – The Author

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