25 Tips on Turning 25

Vanessa Rebello

Last week I completed a quarter of a century on this planet, and decided to tweet a little gyaan that I had accumulated over the years.  Here are a few of the things that I can share with you today. 

1. Nothing is permanent. Nothing makes sense. Nothing is 100%. And that’s alright.
2. Don’t quit a job without another in hand, especially with financial obligations. The job scene is unpredictable for freshers. 
3. A broken heart and an empty bank will teach you a lot more than any educational institute ever will.
4. To be good at something you need to actually DO it. Persistently.
5. Don’t waste your time with crappy people. They suck the life out of you and move on. Learn the art of indifference instead.
6. As far as possible, never owe anyone any money. The vicious cycle of debt will kill you, one payment at a time.
7. What you love and what pays the bills might be two separate things. Either incorporate the two or find a way to do both.
8. People are going to talk. No. Matter. What. Let them.
9. A good friend is one who tells you when you’re full of shit.
10. You will be taken advantage of in some way or the other. Learn to recognize the people who do this and avoid them.
11. Learn to be happy for people. Jealousy gets your nowhere.
12. Your 20s are when you have the least to lose. Take risks in love, work and life.
13. Cut the bullshit out of your life. People or otherwise.
14. Don’t get attached to ideas. Put them out there. Push the good ones. Just remember: The best ideas are always bigger than you. 
15. Meet people. There are so many of them out there and they all have something to offer. Take what you get, give what you can.
16. Figure out who you are and accept it. You need to learn to enjoy your own company.
17. Family comes first. Always.
18. The way you look matters. People are superficial – accept it. If you can beat this with your intelligence/personality – good for you.
19. Learn to laugh. If you can’t laugh at yourself, don’t feel bad when people laugh at you.
20. Smile and wave. Sometimes you’re going to need to be courteous to people you don’t like. Suck it up and do it.
21. Ask. If you don’t know something, ask. Don’t pretend to know. Don’t Google it later. Just ask.
22. Your parents are growing old. The day you fully understand this is the day you’re an adult.
23. Keep secrets. Don’t gossip. It’s important to be nice.
24. Read. Douglas Adams. Richard Dawkins. Blogs. Websites. Something. But read.
25. Love.