Jasmine Rodgers | Contributing Writer
Ever wondered why your 20s are so difficult? It’s because you didn’t have this knowledge!
1. Know when to send flowers: Sometimes a sympathetic text just won’t do. Birthdays, funerals, hospital recoveries, births, weddings, anniversaries or Father’s Day (seriously, switch it up a bit) are all occasions when flowers are a good choice. Remember to choose a nice arrangement and know if your recipient is allergic to any flowers.
2. Know how to dress appropriately for different occasions: You can’t wear jeans to everything. A cocktail party, a classical music concert, a wedding, a black tie affair (obviously) and an upscale restaurant are instances when fancier dress is necessary. If your grandmother would question your outfit, then you’re probably dressing inappropriately for the occasion. Go to your room and change. Shame on you!
3. Know when to stop talking: There are over 7 billion people living on the same planet, but somehow you feel compelled to talk only about yourself. Unless it’s an emergency, be introspective and think about why you’re talking nonstop. Maybe you’ll realize you’ve just stuck your foot in your mouth or that nobody cares.
4. Know how to listen: Once you’ve stopped talking, give the other person your undivided attention. It’s guaranteed that you’ll learn something new, unless the other person’s the one who needs to listen, in which case you can keep texting.
5. Know how to have a decent conversation: Sometimes talking about selfies, “defining the relationship” recaps and GIFs can get old. Instead, opt for coffee, a night on the town, or lunch; do away with cellphones and ask personal questions instead. The phrase “talk it out” isn’t overrated.
6. Know when you need to take a break from Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter: APU encouraged unplugging as a spiritual discipline a few weeks ago and maybe some of you did it, but I’m guessing some of you did not — myself included. Whether it’s for a class or personal enjoyment, the temptation of social media is omnipresent. It’s not going to be easy, but when you don’t have to be on your phone or computer, choose to meditate, cook, read or sleep instead.
7. Know how to cook (or at least a few things) well: Some of us can burn water, but cooking is not an unobtainable skill. If you learn how to cook a few good dishes — not just grilled cheese — people will respect you.
8. Know how to throw a dinner party: Yes, it may sound old-school, but dinner parties can make your day if you put enough work into them. Have it catered or do it yourself. Breaking bread with friends once in a while is a great way to keep them.
9. Know how to save for retirement: According to projectonstudentdebt.com, the average student debt in public four-year institutions and private nonprofit four-year institutions in California was $20,296 in 2012. Needless to say, putting aside money for the future is imperative, especially when you’re young. For example: At 22, you start saving $40 per month. The first year you save $480. Fast-forward 40 years and your savings has grown to $19,200, and that’s not including interest. You don’t need to be Warren Buffett; you just need to save.
10. Know that you should always take care of yourself, even when you don’t have the time to: Do classes, work and other life challenges have your energy reserves tapped out? Good, it’s time for you to fully immerse yourself in quality time — with yourself. Sleep in, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, do that thing that you’ve always wanted to do.
11 . Know that people over 50 aren’t old: Too often, I hear people my age referring to people in their 50s as old. Initially I’m bothered, but then I realize that they’re not thinking about what they’re saying. Really, someone who isn’t of retirement age and generally knows more about life is old? I beg to differ. According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, old is “[something] dating from the remote past.” The next time you fix your mouth to refer to someone over 50 as old, remember that they’re just older than you, not old.
12. Know that some people are ridiculous: Yes, everyone’s different, but some of us are just plain ridiculous. Those are the individuals who create drama, tension and strife where there shouldn’t be. Unless you have the time and mental capacity to deal with people who have unfathomable personalities, don’t waste your time. The sooner you find out that they’re a Pandora’s box, the more time you can spend making loyal friends.
13. Know when to give up on something: Working yourself to death is not the answer. Just because you have expectations doesn’t mean that they’re realistic or humanly possible to fulfill. If you’ve truly given (insert life goal here) your all, drop it and move on with your life — it may be the solution you were working so tirelessly to find.
14. Know that doing the right thing is hard, but that’s no reason to quit: In contrast with the last point, working hard can also be an indicator that you’re doing the right thing. Perhaps it’s that English class with the 12-page paper, or the relationship that gets better with every challenge you overcome together. Adversity can be Gatorade for your soul, if you take the time to work through it.
15. Know that most suffering is optional: The phrase is simple enough, but it’s much harder to realize when your suffering has become voluntary. If you know that something is wrong, seek help. It’s not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength that you’re ready to move on.
16. Know how to keep commitments: It seems obvious enough, but we’ve all lapsed on that promise once or twice before. If you promise to do something, do it. No matter how inconvenient, boring or difficult the favor may be, following through with commitments and promises lets people know you’re dependable and genuine.
17. Know that energy drinks aren’t a food group: Seriously, they’re not good for you. Just Google the health benefits of energy drinks — oh, that’s right, there’s nothing supporting that statement.
18. Know when to grow up: This is for those of you who still believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus and the stork. You’re welcome.
19. Know that you’re one in a million: It’s a cliché, but literally, you’re really one in a billion. Scientifically, there’s really no one else like you and there never will be.
20. “Your Life is Big…” – Oprah: Of course, there had to be an Oprah quote. In my defense, this one is straightforward and inspiring. Often, it’s the saying “life is short” that is the most popular, but that can inadvertently turn life into a bucket list. If we think of our lives as big and vast, that leaves a lot of room for living.