Things I Wish I Knew at 25

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At 25, you feel like you should have life figured out. Society tells you that you should have a stable career, a growing bank account, a thriving social life, and a clear plan for the future. But the reality? Most people are still trying to piece it all together, making mistakes, second-guessing their choices, and wondering why adulthood feels nothing like they expected.

Looking back, I wish I had known the things I know now. These lessons could have saved me time, stress, and wasted effort. If you’re in your 20s—or even if you’re older and looking for guidance—these are the things I wish someone had told me earlier.

1. Your Career is Not a Straight Line – Stop Trying to Figure It All Out Right Now

At 25, I thought I had to choose the one perfect career path and stick to it for the rest of my life. I worried that every decision I made would either set me up for success or ruin my future. That pressure was exhausting.

Here’s what I wish I knew: Most people change careers multiple times. Some of the most successful people didn’t figure out what they truly wanted to do until their 30s, 40s, or even later.

• Experiment and learn. Try different jobs, industries, and skills. The best way to find out what you love is by doing, not overthinking.

• Develop high-income skills. Instead of obsessing over job titles, focus on skills like sales, copywriting, coding, public speaking, and leadership.

• Take risks early. The best time to try a new career, move to a new city, or start a business is when you have fewer responsibilities tying you down.

Your career is a journey, not a one-time choice. Stop stressing about having the perfect plan—just start moving.

2. Start Investing Early – Time is More Valuable Than Money

Most people don’t think about investing in their 20s. They assume they’ll do it once they start making more money. I made the same mistake, and I regret it.

What I didn’t realize was that starting early—even with small amounts—gives you an enormous advantage. The magic of compound interest means the money you invest in your 20s will grow exponentially by the time you’re 40 or 50.

If you invest just $200 a month starting at 25, you could have over $500,000 by retirement. But if you wait until 35 to start? You’d have to save almost twice as much to reach the same amount.

What to do now:

• Open a Roth IRA or 401(k) and start investing, even if it’s just a small amount.

• Read The Psychology of Money to shift your mindset about wealth.

• Live below your means now so you don’t struggle later.

Recommended Resource: The Psychology of Money – A must-read book on wealth-building. Get yours HERE

3. Take More Risks – The Best Time to Try is Now

Your 20s are the best time to start a business, travel, switch careers, or make bold moves. The older you get, the harder it becomes to take big risks.

• Say yes to opportunities that push you out of your comfort zone.

• Move to a new city, start that passion project, or learn a new skill.

• Understand that mistakes are temporary, but regret lasts forever.

The worst thing isn’t failing—it’s looking back and wondering what if?

If you're ready to stop waiting and start taking action on your goals, the Glow-Up Planner is designed to help you map out your biggest dreams, track your progress, and stay accountable. Stop overthinking—start building your future today.

4. Your Health Will Catch Up With You – Take Care of It Now

At 25, I felt invincible. I could stay up late, eat whatever I wanted, skip workouts, and still function. I assumed I could always fix my health later. But bad habits compound over time, just like good ones do.

By the time you hit your 30s, those poor choices start showing up in ways you can’t ignore—low energy, stress, weight gain, or chronic issues that could have been prevented.

• Sleep is non-negotiable. Aim for 7-9 hours. Stop glorifying burnout.

• Strength training is essential. Muscle loss happens with age—start now to stay strong.

• What you eat matters. Focus on real, whole foods. Cut back on sugar and processed junk.

Recommended Resource: Hydro Flask Water Bottle – Stay hydrated to boost focus and energy. Get yours HERE

5. The Right Relationships Will Help You Grow – The Wrong Ones Will Drain You

Your relationships will either push you forward or hold you back. Choose wisely.

• Don’t settle out of fear. A bad relationship will cost you years of happiness and self-esteem.

• Quality over quantity. Five real friends are better than 100 surface-level connections.

• Surround yourself with people who inspire you. If your circle isn’t pushing you to grow, you’re in the wrong circle.

Who you spend time with directly impacts your success, mindset, and happiness. Choose wisely.

6. Learn to Negotiate – Your Future Salary Depends on It

At 25, I thought salaries were fixed. I didn’t realize that almost everything—your job salary, freelance rates, even rent—is negotiable. Most companies expect you to negotiate, but many people don’t out of fear.

• Before accepting any job, research salary ranges. Sites like Glassdoor and LinkedIn Salary can help.

• Always ask for more. The worst they can say is no, and most will offer something.

• Negotiate beyond salary. Ask for remote work options, stock options, bonuses, or extra vacation time.

Recommended Resource: Never Split the Difference – A must-read on negotiation skills. HERE

7. Failure is a Stepping Stone, Not a Roadblock

Fear of failure holds so many people back from taking action. But the truth is, failure is one of the fastest ways to learn and grow.

• Reframe failure as a lesson, not a loss.

• Take risks early in life—the best time to try is now.

• Every successful person has failed multiple times before getting it right.

The only true failure is not trying at all.

8. Financial Freedom Comes From Managing Money, Not Just Earning More

A higher salary won’t solve money problems if you don’t know how to manage it. Learn how to budget, save, and invest wisely.

• Track your spending to understand where your money is going.

• Save for emergencies—having six months of expenses saved up gives you freedom.

• Avoid debt when possible—interest can become a lifelong burden.

Building financial security in your 20s gives you freedom and options in your 30s and beyond.

Want to start managing your money smarter? Download a Budget & Financial Planning Template to track your income, expenses, and savings goals. Get yours HERE

9. Stop Trying to Impress People – Most of Them Don’t Care

In my early 20s, I wasted so much energy worrying about what people thought of me. I wanted to be liked. I wanted to seem successful. I wanted to fit in. But looking back, I realize most people were too focused on their own lives to even notice.

You don’t need to impress anyone. The people who matter will respect you for who you are, not for how you look, what you own, or what job you have.

• Let go of fake friendships. If you feel drained after hanging out with someone, they aren’t your people.

• Stop saying yes to things you hate. Your time is valuable—protect it.

• Be yourself. The right people will gravitate toward you. The wrong ones will fall away, and that’s a good thing.

The moment you stop caring what others think is the moment you become truly free.

10. Success is a Long Game – Focus on Consistency Over Perfection

Many people expect overnight success, but real progress takes time. The key is to stay consistent and trust the process.

• Focus on building daily habits that compound over time.

• Stop comparing your journey to others—everyone’s timeline is different.

• Understand that small improvements every day lead to massive results over time.

Success isn’t a single event—it’s a series of small actions taken consistently.

Final Thoughts

At 25, I wish I had focused more on learning, taking risks, and trusting that I didn’t need to have it all figured out. Life is a long game. Your 20s aren’t about having all the answers—they’re about building the foundation for the person you want to become.

Start where you are. Improve every day. Be patient with yourself.

Want to take action on these lessons? Download the Success & Goal-Setting Planner to track your habits, build better routines, and design a life you love. Get yours HERE

Your future self will thank you.