This Writer Is 25!

Achievement: You're in your mid-twenties! Now what?

If you’re reading this, it’s official. I’m 25 and have entered my mid-twenties. Happy Birthday to me!

I had wallowed through pre-birthday blues earlier this year (and days leading up to turning 25), and the summer, my mind has been in many places — processing being a quarter of a century, having quarter-life crises, and aging out of Leonardo DiCaprio’s ideal woman-to-date age-wise.

24 was a year where I learned so much about myself as I grew in my career, spiritually, and embraced all parts of myself as I became more and more a woman each day. As I reflect on my early 20s, I can’t help but think of a tweet I saw last May about the 20s stage of your life.

Instead of thinking my life is over and I’m old and decrepit, I love thinking of how your 20s don’t start until your late early twenties to your mid-twenties.

It seems like my early 20s have flown by since I graduated from DePauw in 2023 and Medill in 2024 and have been finding my footing in adulthood like applying to full-time jobs and looking to see where my career will start, keeping up with current friends, reconnecintg with old friends, and dedicating my time to hobbies that I haven’t been able to pick back up or have been curious about.

Without further ado, here are 5 things I have learned about my early 20s and myself to celebrate the big 2-5:

Don’t compare yourself to others

We’ve all heard that comparison is the thief of joy, and whoever said this has never said a truer statement. There have been times, especially now, when I have compared myself to others to the point where it has me doubting myself. I have wondered why my career hasn’t started and whether pursuing a career in writing was a good idea, why I don’t look like others my age or younger on social media.

What I have learned and have to process every day is that life looks different for all people, as I see close friends of mine start new chapters in their lives, whether it’s getting married and having children, or starting their master’s degrees and traveling the world or watch influencers — my age and younger — buy penthouses in New York and attend New York Fashion Week. Everyone has their path, and it will take a longer season for certain events to happen in others’ lives.

Don’t fear aging

Aging has been another thing I haven’t been keen on. I only say this as trials and tribulations begin to sprout as I enter my mid-twenties, such as diving into the job search, managing my finances, and having the balls to make doctor’s appointments. The only way to progress and experience new chapters in life is to age. It’s a natural step in the process of life, so it’s best to embrace it as such, as each age you learn new things about yourself.

Relationships change — some for the better, others for the worse

As I have gone through my twenties, I have met so many people, from awesome mentors to good and best friends to great colleagues. I am grateful for everyone in my life at this stage, but it doesn’t mean that all of my relationships haven’t changed.

I have friends I chat with every day or every other day and see every week or every other week, while I have other friends I haven’t spoken to or have lost friendships. All of these relationships have shaped me in some shape or form, and even if they all aren’t meant to last a lifetime, I’m grateful for the time I have had the people in my life.

Tap into your old hobbies and discover new ones

I have been a hobbyist as early as high school, whether it would be knitting and crocheting, drawing and painting, or writing fiction and fanfiction. These hobbies have followed me into adulthood as I continue to have love for the hobbies I have listed above.

Since then, I have discovered I love digital and film photography, making new coffee and tea creations, playing on my laptop and Nintendo, listening to music and collecting vinyls — the list is endless. Tapping back into my hobbies and exploring new ones in my 20s have been one of the main things keeping me sane.

Save. Save. Save.

Budgeting has been a must for me as I have reached my mid-twenties. While I indulge and occasionally purchase a blind box or new lip tint, there are bigger things I want in the future that include, but are not limited to, an apartment, a car, and future trips I want to make. The only way to obtain this is to tell my money where to go and to know when to tell myself no. It’s a challenge, but it’s something you get better at as you work towards it.

There have been a lot more lessons than these. Trust, but I'd rather eat cake than sit here and list them all, so I’ll see you for the next one!