lexieonline

I have found myself looking up this headline multiple times, and here I am now writing my own! Being in your twenties is such an interesting time in your life. It is the prime-time of your life and also, (what I think) is the scariest, yet hardest time in your life. I say that not knowing what life will be like in my thirties, forties, etc. Who knows… it may be scarier (and probably will be). Anyways! Do you want to make the most of your twenties? If so, start with this list of 20 fun things that you can do in your twenties to spice up your life and excite and free your mind and soul!

1. Go overseas

If you read my first blog, this will make complete sense. I believe that traveling is so important and going overseas is definitely something that should be done in your twenties. Of course I am going to encourage anyone and everyone to travel far and wide and experience the world for themselves.

2. LEARN TO COOK

I enjoy trying new recipes as you will later see if you stay following along with my blog, and I think cooking is also a great form of self love and therapy. It is a great distraction and it is always fun to try new and interesting recipes! Check out my foodstagram: @lexielikestoeat

3. DON’T WORRY SO MUCH ABOUT MONEY

Yes, I know the struggles of only having little to no money in your bank account. Been there, done that more times than one. I want to stress to you to NOT worry so much about money. If you spend every day saying “No, it’s too much money” or “I’m not going to go out with my friends because I don’t have money”, you are missing out on memories over something so materialistic and something that will always be back. Money is persistent, memories are not. Just get chips and salsa and a water! Bill: $0.00. Pre-game before! You can still find ways to have fun and not miss out when you have little to no money. Don’t miss out on the fun.

4. FIND A HOBBY THAT YOU ENJOY

Something I really enjoy doing in my spare time is photography. I have always loved taking pictures of things and people. I think hobbies are a must and I always find it interesting to hear about the different hobbies that people have. For me, one of mine that I enjoy is photography. There is just something so fun about taking photos and editing them!

5. JOURNAL

I love being creative. It is my go-to thing to do when I get sad or bored. I started keeping a yearly journal and create a section in it for each month to collect movie tickets, pictures, receipts, and stickers, and anything else. I look back at these when I am sad and it reminds me of the good times I have had, and even the bad times and how I got through it. Journaling is good for the soul and I suggest it for anyone!

6. CALL YOUR GRANDPARENTS ( AND YOUR MOM )

I grew up around my grandparents and have always valued my relationship with them. Your grandparents are important and they love you. Call them! They want to hear how you are doing and they want the best for you. This goes for your parents, as well.

7. GO ON A ROAD TRIP

Back to traveling! I think that a road trip is a must while you are in your twenties. Hop in the car, drive across the United States, see things you haven’t ever seen before. I went on a road trip out west over winter break of my senior year of college. We went to a bunch of different national parks like Zion, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, and of course the Grand Canyon! A goal of mine is to take a picture in front of every state welcome sign before I am married. On this trip, I knocked out 6 states! I still have to take a few more road trips to meet my goal, but that just means I have to make more memories and have a few more great experiences while doing it!

8. GET INVOLVED ON YOUR CAMPUS

Getting involved with yearbook, SAA, SND, and other organizations across campus helped me grow and meet so many new friends and make life-long connections. I believe that being involved is a great way to stay busy and find people who have similar interests as you. Surround yourself with people that are devoted and are willing to help you grow as well. Being in clubs gave me the opportunity to go to Chicago and St. Petersburg and meet journalists from all across the U.S.

9. START A PRAYER JOURNAL

I heard about this in a sermon once. The pastor said to start a prayer journal, but called it a worry list. He said to write down all of your worries, pray about them, and then date it. He then said later on that you would look back and realize that your worries were no longer worries and they would turn into answered prayers. Believe me, it worked. I have been doing this for a little over a year now and it still amazes me every time I look back at my old worries and see how they were answered.

10. HOP ON A PLANE

ADVENTURE AWAITS! I love traveling, it excites my soul. Travel as much as you can while you are young! Nothing and no one is holding you back. Remember that. Hop on a plane, meet strangers that you sit next to on the flight, go try new foods and new drinks, meet new people in whatever place you fly to! Traveling is so much fun and the experiences you make along the way build your character and help you grow. I am a go, go, go type of person and have to stay busy 24/7. I am always thinking about my next adventure and what I can do to improve my life. So go hop on a plane and see where it takes you!

11. LEARN HOW TO NETWORK

As a twenty-something year old, networking is important and it all boils down to “who you know” and the connections you have made for yourself along the way. Learn how to network! Whether it be at bars, on campus, meeting people through other people, social media, or sending LinkedIn requests, networking in a vital part in our world, especially when it comes to finding a career after graduation. Go out and makes those connections across campus and in your community.

12. FIND YOUR FAVORITE WINE

When I first started drinking wine, (of course I was 21) I thought that I was a white wine girl. I would sip on Pinot Grigio or Barefoot Moscato all night and enjoy… it…. HA! I don’t know what happened or changed my palette. I think I met Victoria Daily and she turned me into a red wine girl. Ever since then, I have enjoyed Pinot Noir. Particularly, Sweet Walter. Even though it is a sweeter wine, it is delicious and always my go-to. I do like a bitter red wine as well and I would not necessarily say I am picky at all, but Sweet Walter is a must for everyone to try! If you want to check it out, Click here.

13. SEND HAND-WRITTEN LETTERS & THANK YOU NOTES

There is just something special about a hand-written letter. Take time to send a hand written letter! It is thoughtful and so considerate. My grandmother has sent me letters in the mail for the past 4 years that I have been in college. I have kept every single letter from her. She took the time to sit down, write to me, and mail it out. She even sent me a letter when I was studying abroad in Salerno! How sweet is that? I remember in middle school we would give our friends hand-written letters and I still have all of those to this day as well! Even if you don’t think so, the little things like this make a big impact on someone and it is the thought that counts!

14. TALK TO STRANGERS

I love people and I love meeting new people. You never know how someone’s day is going, so be nice to strangers. Talk to them, it just might make their day. They may go back home to an empty house and their only interaction for the day might have been the cashier at the grocery store or the teller at the bank. Who knows, maybe you just might make a new friend!

15. SWIM IN THE OCEAN

Don’t be afraid to get your hair wet. Jump in the ocean. Dive into the waves and feel the salty water against your skin. Go night swimming, go at 5am, go at 3 in the afternoon. Jump in the ocean in Destin, FL, jump in the ocean in Virginia Beach, VA, jump in the ocean in California. Jump in the ocean in Italy! Point being, have fun and just simply live. Take any opportunity that comes your way and be happy.

16. FALL IN LOVE

Ahhh, yes. I had to say this one. Fall in love. Loving someone is such a special feeling. To care immensely for another person and get to make memories with them, know everything about them and have them know every little thing about you, it is special. It’s intimate. Strong feelings of attachment and love towards another person can be scary, and yes. Trust me, it is scary. Falling in love is like a roller coaster of emotions for one particular person. You feel a powerful sense of empathy towards that one person, feeling their pain as your own and being willing to sacrifice anything for that one person. If you are anything like me, you will give your all in a relationship and do anything for the person that you love. You won’t ever want to give up on loving someone. Falling in love is terrifying, but you learn a lot about yourself and the person you love in the process. Take the risk, and love to your heart’s content.

“Take my hand, Take my whole life too, For I can’t help falling in love with you…”

17. GO TO CONCERTS

Go to as many concerts as you can! Listen to the music and dance with whoever! You never know when this opportunity might slip away (COVID). Whether it be live music on the Square, a band at the Brandon Amphitheater, or a music festival, concerts are so much fun and an amazing experience. Enjoy the present time with the people you are with. Make memories! (:

18. PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE AND GET LOST

Sometimes we just need to take a break from social media, get outside, and go exploring. We need a good brain break every now and then, maybe more often than we actually think. Put your phone away. Use an atlas. Use a road map. Delete your socials for a week and see how you do without constantly worrying what other people are doing. Pick some wild flowers, drive down a pretty road with the windows down, spend the day in the park.

19. SAY YES MORE THAN YOU SAY NO

Don’t be afraid to say yes to things. Saying yes might just lead you to a new experience or opportunity. You might just meet some new friends or find a new passion! You never know… Be optimistic and positive more often and good things will come your way.

20. MAKE TRUE FRIENDS AND KEEP THEM

Friendships are forever. Friends are your support system and a vital part of your life. They will be there for you through thick and thin, on the rainy days and the sunny days, on the snow days…… and the days when you can’t get out of bed because you are so sad. Friends will bring you tiramisu when a boy hurts your feelings because they know it is your favorite dessert and they will even buy you a milkshake from Sonic when a boy couldn’t even do that for you. They will sneak you into a bar when you are still underage, buy your food on their Flex when you forget your student ID at home, and drive to the middle of a field to watch the stars with you at 1 in the morning when you feel like your world is ending. Make true friends and keep them because no matter what, they will stay constant throughout your life and never leave you. They will be there for you on your worst days and on your best days. They will love you when you screw up and when you succeed. I have been blessed with the best of friends that I know are always one call away. (Here are a few pics of some of my amazing friends that I am so thankful for.)