{"id":6785,"date":"2014-01-08T11:30:54","date_gmt":"2014-01-08T15:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.customizedgirl.com\/blog\/?p=6785"},"modified":"2014-01-08T11:30:54","modified_gmt":"2014-01-08T15:30:54","slug":"5-unconventional-lessons-for-twenty-somethings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.customizedgirl.com\/blog\/5-unconventional-lessons-for-twenty-somethings\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Unconventional Lessons for Twenty-Somethings"},"content":{"rendered":"

The path to adulthood is a paved road of smudged eyeliner and hilarious stories. Here are some of the things we wish a smart, sassier older sister had typed up for us before we fumbled our way thru our twenties.<\/p>\n

Build a network, off-line.<\/h3>\n

\"Off<\/a><\/p>\n

Snapchat and Twitter are fun and great, but you need real-life conversations to compliment those @ messages. We know that it\u2019s pretty easy to get sucked into social network addiction, so set a goal to meet someone once a week for drinks. On-line is fun and great, but nothing is more important than old-fashioned face-to-face conversation.<\/p>\n

Have a hobby that isn\u2019t Pinterest.<\/h3>\n

\"Non<\/a><\/p>\n

Hey, we love Pinterest<\/a> too and we have proof. But the thing about Pinterest is that you can quickly lose 5-6 hours scrolling through pins. You need to have a hobby that involves off-line activity; something to engage and challenge you. Why is it important? Hobbies often lead to new friendships and job-marketable skills that aren\u2019t taught in a classroom.<\/p>\n

Read words that aren\u2019t on a screen.<\/h3>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Books are sexy, and we aren\u2019t just talking 50 Shades of Grey. Why bother? Reading print books has been linked to improved sleeping habits, helping to lower depression, and increased mental stamina. Steal 30-45 minutes a day to read something that\u2019s not on your phone, you\u2019ll thank us.<\/p>\n

Write great e-mails.<\/h3>\n

\"Write<\/a><\/p>\n

Seems like weird advice, huh? Email is a learned skill, not just an app. In our e-mail flooded world, you need to write emails that stand out and demand to be opened. When you\u2019re applying for a job, odds are your email message will be the determining factor that leads an HR rep to open and read your resume. Don\u2019t take email lightly.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to be afraid.<\/h3>\n

\"Albert<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not an oxymoron. If you truly want to live an adventurous life, you\u2019ll need to challenge your skills and push your comfort zones frequently. Being afraid isn\u2019t a sign of weakness, it\u2019s a sign that you\u2019re doing something worthwhile. Start small to build your fear tolerance \u2013 think about committing to one activity a month that pushes you outside of your comfort zones to try something new.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got a lot of people telling you how to live your life when you\u2019re navigating through your twenties. You\u2019ll make lots of mistakes and you\u2019ll find lots of things about yourself that are surprising. We think that these 5 simple lessons will help you become a more complete version of yourself, however you define that.<\/p>\n

What advice would you add to this list?\u00a0 Share your lessons in our comments below!<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/div>\n