I’m officially on my 25th trip around the sun and wow… life is crazy, life is good. Of course everyone asks, “how does it feel to be 25?!” Honestly, I don’t even know lol. I didn’t feel 24, let alone 25. Physically, I’ve been feeling about 75 because every morning my knees hurt and my back has been hurting since I was about 21 so there’s that. Mentally, I feel like a real adult now. You know how when you turned 18 you were considered an adult but you still didn’t have any huge responsibilities and life was still a breeze? Yeah, I can’t relate. Bills never stop and I’m ready for a nap at all times. But all jokes aside, it’s a blessing to be 25 and I am so excited for what’s about to come. Back in 2014, I tweeted that I wanted to skip to the part of my life where I was 25, had a degree, and a career. Well, I have 2 degrees, I’ve started my career, and I absolutely love my life. Maybe my next tweet will be, “can I skip to the part of my life where I have a nice house, a fine husband, and we take vacations every 6 months?” and see what I get lol.

I feel like I should be giving life tips about everything I’ve learned in my young life but honestly I’ve spent a good portion of my 20s just “winging it”. Some years were better than others but I have learned a lot, and some things I learned the hard way. Here’s some advice so you don’t have to wing it:

• Keep God first. That’s probably obvious but let me tell you, without Him we are nothing but lost souls. Pray all the time, even when things are going well and learn to lean on God.

• Don’t compare yourself. Your time is coming, your turn will be here, and your journey is your journey. What’s meant for you will always be yours, be patient and focus on God’s plan for you.

• Spend less, save more. If you weren’t born into the Kardashian family, you’re going to want a savings account for yourself when things come up. Spend wisely, but save, save, save.

• Travel. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, road trip with your friends/family, or a solo trip, travel when you can. There’s so much culture to see and food to eat outside of your city.

• Learn to say no. Not everything and everyone is worth your attention, energy, and effort.

• Work hard. If you’re in school, keep those grades up. If you’re working, always do your best. You won’t regret doing your best but you will regret creating more work for yourself later.

• Date wisely. We’ve all been with someone who was trash… please grow from it lol. If you’re with someone who you know isn’t good for you, what are you doing? If your goal is to be married one day and you’re with someone who you know you aren’t going to marry, cut it. Don’t have unrealistic expectations of people, but don’t lower your standards and settle for less than you deserve. Don’t lead people on if you know you don’t want them. Be the kind of person you would want to date.

• Write down your goals. Come up with a plan, work the plan, and don’t stop until you get there.

• Get a best friend. Not 10 people who you call bestie… no, get yourself a best friend that’s going to tell you what you need to know and not what you want to hear. Someone to support you, pray for you, have fun with, cry with, and vice versa. Life gets crazy sometimes and you’re going to need someone who’s always going to be there for you.

• Go outside. Look at the sun and the moon from time to time and remember that life outside of social media and phones exists. Go to the park, sit in your backyard, whatever you have to do and don’t let life pass you by - Instagram ain’t that deep, I promise.

• Be kind. People may not remember what you said or what you did but they will always remember how you made them feel.

• Learn the lesson the first time. We all make mistakes, but don’t keep making the same one. When you’re wrong, apologize. When you know you can do better, do better.

• Go to sleep. I am a professional napper and I don’t care what anyone says… Go. To. Sleep. “Sleep when you die” is overrated, if you’re tired go to bed lol. Work will be there when you wake up and you’re more productive when you’re not tired. Take a nap and thank me later.

• Take care of yourself. Mental health and physical health are important, especially as you reach your mid 20s. Life is weird so take some time for yourself to do things that make you happy. I’m still working on the physical health part because I’m not about that gym life but just know - when I get slim thick and get this anxiety under control it’s over for y’all!!!

I’m not a professional therapist so if you take my advice and it doesn’t quite work, please don’t come for me lol. I’m learning everyday and doing my best to build the life I want to have. The struggle is real but so are the blessings. Have fun, do your best, and enjoy everything that life has to offer. Take the good with the bad and don’t be so hard on yourself… Cheers to 25!

See you in my next post! You know you’re coming back, so you might as well subscribe and tell a friend to do the same…

“Your word is lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Psalm 119:105 NIV

All My Love,

Tyler