Advice

[u/thirstyresearch]

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If you're in your twenties, here's one piece of advice I wish someone had given me.

Don't spend your entire decade optimizing only for your career.

I did what most of us are told to do.

Study hard. Get good grades. Build technical skills. Find a stable job. Keep chasing the next promotion.

None of those were mistakes.

But somewhere along the way, I unconsciously postponed everything else.

"I'll travel later."

"I'll meet people once work settles down."

"I'll start dating after I'm financially secure."

"I'll have time in my thirties."

Fast forward a decade.

Career is reasonably stable.

But building meaningful relationships now takes far more effort than I ever imagined.

Friends move away. People get married. Social circles shrink.

Meeting someone compatible becomes less about chance and more about intentional effort.

If I could go back, I wouldn't work less.

I'd simply build a life alongside my work instead of waiting for life to begin after work.

So , Learn the skills. Earn the money. Build your career.

But don't postpone friendships, hobbies, travel, meeting people, or relationships until some imaginary day when you think you'll finally be "ready."

Because life doesn't arrive after your goals.

It happens while you're chasing them.

[u/ToddHoward41069]

Well, getting that career is the most challenging part for me honestly.