“You Will Regret It Later On”: 30 Millennials Share The Best Advice They Have For Gen Z
As exhilarating as it can feel to be young, it's easy to also feel lost and unsure. Let's face it, without life experience, it’s pretty darn hard to know what to do and, just as importantly, what not to do. Mistakes are good teachers, but seldom fun to go through.
A netizen asked people 30 and older “What advice can you give to people in their early 20s or younger?” and folks from across the internet gave their best suggestions. So get comfortable as you scroll through and take note if you are on the younger side. Upvote your favorites and share some wisdom if you happen to be thirty or older.
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If you feel like college isn't for you or you have no idea what you want to do, you can make a very respectable living and have far more job security if you learn a trade. The world will ALWAYS need electricians, carpenters and plumbers...etc.
When I was growing up, college was pushed on us so hard that we would feel like failures if we went into a trade. Buying into that mentality is something I will always regret.
Don't take criticism from someone you wouldn't ask for advice. Why would you let a bunch of basement-dwellers' DMs make you feel bad about yourself?
Take care of your teeth.
To be more specific, if you're like me and find yourself without insurance in your early 20s, find your nearest free clinic to keep up with this. I did not do this, and a root canal, an extraction, and like 20 fillings later I wish I had kept up with the dentist and flossed waaaay more.
It's okay to keep things private and live offline. As you get older, you might regret how 'open' you were with the world.
Don’t start using tobacco products. Your health will thank you.
I have never met a single nicotine user that doesn't wish they had never started, including myself. seven months nicotine free.
For guys especially - don't be afraid to seek help if you feel you're struggling mentally (male s*icide rates remain shamefully high in Western societies). Also, no matter how embarrassing you may find it, if you have medical concerns about your d**k, balls, prostate, etc., then for f***s sake go see a doctor.
Don’t keep toxic people in your life based on brief memories of good deeds. It’s temporary and probably manipulative tactics. Friendship is a two-way street, it’s a mutual giving. If this person tears you down, makes jokes at your expense, doesn’t contact you unless they want something. Get rid. I had so many toxic friends in my early 20s that took me way too long to get rid of.
The entire economy is set up to abuse you in every way that it can. Learn math, financial literacy and how to plan EARLY, OFTEN and CONSISTENTLY.
Indulge in your hobbies, it’s so fulfilling and gratifying. Sketching, painting, pottery, crochet? DO IT. Hobbies nurture the soul and feed the spirit. If it makes you happy keep at it. You don’t need to make a career out of it. Just so long as it makes you happy.
Don't rush growing up. Enjoy yourself.
And please for the love of all that is good let your children enjoy being children. This world is crazy and life will throw enough at them without people making kids grow up too fast.
Don’t be afraid to say I’m sorry/ I was wrong/ I don’t understand/ could you please explain that again? People don’t think about you as much as you think they do.
Yes! Advocate for yourself! I learned this way too late and it’s helped me so much. Especially helps with school. Good teachers love when you ask questions because it means that you care about learning and getting it right. And accountability is a great virtue to have that people will respect you for.
Take care of your body. Eat healthy and exercise. You will be shocked at how much your body starts falling apart as you age. I know I was.
Keep in mind that when someone who is older and more experienced gives you advice, they're generally giving the advice that they wish they had followed when they were young. It's not necessarily advice that is calibrated for you or your circumstance.
So, as an older and more experienced person, your advice is to be sceptical about the advice that older and more experienced people give you?
Don't try and be the person that everybody likes. Not everybody is going to like you. Deal with it. The faster you realise that some people are always going to be a******s, or the faster you realise that some people are just never going to like you, and that you shouldn't give a f**k, in return - the faster, and happier, you will be.
Remember those insulting, bullying jerks in high school? They become bosses. Do not expect to be able ever please those types of people.
I have two pieces of advice. Do not run up debt it will follow you or ruin you. Do start saving money as soon as you possibly can. If you have 5000 dollars in savings you will be better off then 70% of Americans.
... And NEVER reveal to anybody, including family, that you have savings. Also NEVER lend people money from your savings.
Wait to have kids.
Nah. Go by what you feel is right in your gut. Have them in your twenties, have them later, or not at all. There are pros and cons to each
Drink less booze or non at all.
I went crazy with the booze in college and struggled with alcohol in my late 20s. My wife urged me to quit and I finally quit 2 years ago and it's been fantastic! You don't need booze!
Learn to cook. Way cheaper and way healthier. Learn to change your car’s brakes yourself. There’s not much else with owning a car where you can turn a $500 fix into an $80 fix in two hours.
Don’t stay in a job that makes you miserable. I’ve had multiple jobs and at nearly every single one I was treated like shit by management or bullied by coworkers. My mental health suffered and I was miserable. I’ve since left years ago and found myself a happier one. It’s just not worth it, even for the pay.
But only risk changing jobs when the economy is doing well and there are jobs in your field to choose from.
Wear sunscreen… everyday.
Regardless of skin tone or type.
And cover up. A wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, and long pants will go a long way to protecting your skin. Ad before the "bUt It'S HOT!" comments, fabric and fit is key. Natural fibers like cotton and linen breathe well; wear loose-fitting clothing. Saudi men don't wear the robe style clothing for fashion; it's practical.
Please put your own health at one of the highest priorities. Both physical and mental. Things get much harder the older you get. Your health will help you if you take care of it for many things.
If it means deciding on taking breaks from things that's OK.
One needs to realize that as one ages the body deteriorates faster than one can keep it in shape. So one should start young to get in the habit of long exercise workouts so when you reach 65 you can still get around with minimal pain. After that age the worn out parts will never heal. And avoid exercise with impact on the joints, as knee replacement will take a year out of your life to recover from.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. When you do own up to them, learn from them and move on.
Appreciate your body and imperfections! Don’t waste your 20s feeling insecure about things you cannot change. You will likely look back one day and wish you had the body you have now so enjoy it. Wear what you want. If insecurity creeps in, think about what you DO like about yourself every day. Remember there will be people out there who LOVE the things about you that you don’t like so much.
When have freckles been even remotely imperfect ? That is the most adorable thing ever
Never stop being active.
This needs to be higher. A sedentary lifestyle can and will cause you all sorts of health concerns. Just ask this former computer geek\Television addict. My screen time is down to an hour a day now from 10+ hours a day.
Don’t get married yet. You have no idea who you actually are and what’s really important to you in your early 20s.
Learn to enjoy your own company. I've watched too many people tolerate abusive, horrible partners solely because they didn't want to be alone. I'm 32 and blissfully single not because I can't find a partner, but because I'm fulfilled without one.
Save for retirement. Nobody else is going to help you in the US.
DO NOT SETTLE! You are young. You may feel societal, familial, or relationship pressures to settle. Whether that be settling in a relationship with someone you are afraid to leave, or settling in a career that you don't like because it will appease your family etc... don't do it. You will regret it later on down the road. Enjoy life, be free/ be your authentic self.
I wasted my 20's with someone I didnt like or want to spend my life with. I felt like I didnt have anywhere else to go and we had 2 children so I stayed. Now that I can be on my own we actually co-parent really well and I am so happy. I have started to dip my toe into the dating pool again but I am very critical of my needs as well as my children so I have no problem taking my time and even just being on my own. I recognize I am deserving of my standards and feel no need to rush which is a blessing.
You can’t control what other people say or do. You can only control your own actions and words. Stop trying to change others and focus on ensuring what you say and do reflects who you are. Likewise, nobody else can control your words or actions. Be accountable for yourself, and don’t let someone else have control over what you say or do.
Love people. Hold onto the people who matter to you, learn to forgive (with the caveat that you keep a soft eye out for manipulators), and know that no one is perfect. But they’re worth keeping around. Hold on tight, for as long as you can.
Nurture friendships. After school, a lot of people drift apart. I was surprised to see that a handful of my group of friends were still in touch and bff’s, decades after school. I realized that was because they made that effort to really continue being a part of each others lives.
If you think you might have a addiction take care of it now. The whole "you hurt the people closest to you" isn't a cliche and if you have a conscious it'll be hard to live with. It's better to get it taken care of sooner than later.
THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO STOP THAT ADDICTION RIGHT NOW. GET HELP. NOT “I’LL DO IT TOMORROW,” TODAY. It’s going to take a while, but the longer you put it off, the worse you’ll feel.
Ask that guy/girl that you like if they want to go on a date. In ten years you might be married, or total strangers, but at least you won't be saying "I should have done it".
And if you are shy and introverted, get some counseling to help get you out of your shell. I regret my generation looked at psychology as being for only really disturbed people, because it really helps everyone.
Don't just socialise with people in your age group. You can learn a lot by spending quality time with people a few decades older. And when you yourself get older. Try to make younger friends too.
Practice things youre bad at. In 10 years you will be good at them…and you’ll only be 30 something.
Your college degree doesn't mean you're hot s**t and doesn't entitle you to anything. Unless you're a byproduct of nepotism you're most likely going to have to suck it up and do low paying b***h work till you can build experience or connections.
Calm down, dude. This is supposed to be advice, not b*tching about 'kids these days'.
Try to have at least 2 months' paycheck in your savings for bad times. They will happen.
Easier now with direct deposit, $25-$50 per check in to savings. After a while you will never miss it
Don’t hoard too much stuff you don’t use anymore. Sort as you go along or you’ll have a very big job on your hands when you move out (if you haven’t already). Also clutter free is just better for your mind.
Choose a life before it chooses you. Best advice I can offer. Get working. Go to college make something of yourself. Make a family. Do anything you can do before you let life choose you.
After 30 time seems to go by faster. Enjoy and cherish what's important, life can change in the blink of an eye.
Don’t focus on one thing. Try to learn as much as possible on as many different topics as possible. And I don’t mean just academically, I mean everything. If you see your grandma weaving, cooking, cleaning, anything, ask her and try to learn something, even a little goes a long way in the long run. Same with your parents, family members, coworkers, etc. Early on you can make mistakes and not suffer the consequences as much as you do when you get older. You remember when you were young, and your parents taught you to look both ways before crossing? That, not only you do it unconsciously today, but the same principle is applied at other things without you even realizing it. That’s why I say, learn as much as you can, whenever you can. Your future self will be unequivocally grateful.
Don't overdo it. You're young, but you'll age quickly if you overexert. A damaged knee is forever, and that makes weight harder to take off.
Every few years, sit down and literally plan where you want to be in ten years. Like what do you want your relationships to look like, job, life.. break it down by things you care about and journal it. And give yourself a few action steps. You can always adjust but it’s good to give yourself concrete goals.
At 72, where do I want to be in ten years? I'll settle for above ground.
Take all opportunities to spend time with your friends and get out there to try new things. All my groomsman have been my buddies since high school or younger. I only get to see them on holidays or a rare fluke these days. All married some with kids etc, we still get to game maybe 1 evening a week but that’s a far cry from pretty much my entire life before my 30s. It’s such a wild lifestyle change from the life I had in my 20s. I was never required to be anywhere or do something to the house or go to some event at that time. Don’t get me wrong I am loving this chapter for different reasons but that low income/renting apartment/living with a buddy/dont know what’s gonna happen today freedom is something I miss.
Get yourself a good set of dishes. Don't get fancy. Something made to last and is resilient enough for everyday use. You don't need a second set of plates for guests. That's for baby boomers who still have sitting rooms.
Get a good cast iron pan and a set of stainless steel pots and pans. They can stand up to a.lot of heavy use
Avoid anything advertised as non stick because once scratched the coating is worthless and it will release toxins into your food.
Don't buy the knife block; get yourself a bread knife, a paring knife, and a chefs knife that can hold an edge. A sharp knife in the kitchen is always safer than a dull knife. Get them sharpened regularly.
Breathe. Seriously. Learn how to take deep belly breaths.
Along the same lines, meditate. It’s a game-changer.
This is an important coping skill for me. I didn't realize until I was in therapy that when I'm anxious, I literally stop breathing. My therapist would regularly remind me to breathe.
If you work has a 401K, put in, at minimum, as much as they match (if they match). Even if they don't, open that personal Roth IRA and put in what you can. Even putting in $100 a year will add up dramatically — hell, even $50 a year will make a difference. Also, try really hard not to cash it out. Life happens, but if you can just leave it and let it sit, it will pay dividends later.
S&P 500 all the way, i think it was like a 14% ROI last year, where the 10 year average is a return of 155%. If you put $1000 into the S&P, and then add only $100 a month for the next 30 years, you'll have invested $37,000 and end up with $260,000
Own your possessions, don’t let your possessions own you.
And true happiness is found through connection or accomplishments, not acquisition nor control.
My parents are always trying to give me stuff they’re getting rid of. A shelf or a good vase they have one too many. Every week I’d go over and there by the door would be a small pile of stuff they think I might like or need. My house is about 1/5th the size of their house and I have stuff piled everywhere and no time to clean or organize. After a year of trying to explain that we don’t need another spatula or box grater I finally just showed my mom a picture of my house piled high and told her to find a place for it. A few more firm discussions and then we flat out said anything you guilt us into taking, will go right into your garbage can as we leave the driveway. The final word that put a stop to it all was when I said they were putting an incredible burden on us. By decluttering their home, they were making our home intolerable.
Find jobs or schedules that stimulate a realistic work/life balance you want. In your 20s your confidence will be challenged alot because you are at the beginning of adulthood. Don’t burn out or think you need to be at the bottom to be on top. You are going to find out the higher you climb, the dumber people are.. and it’s just a game of understanding work-to-life balance.
Start building habits of friendship now, whether its a weekly poker night, or a spa day, etc - start scheduling group activities now, while it seems unnecessary, so that later when life goes crazy you will have your friends there with you.
Hard work and determination are still going to get you further than the opposite. The world is not fair, but that’s no reason to give up. Giving up guarantees you will lose. Stay ambitious, even when people around you cease to be. Beware of the allure of victimhood - it seems to be very fashionable at the moment, but it will do nothing for you beyond the brief dopamine rush of an expression of sympathy.
Try to be as honest with yourself and others as possible. You don't want to do something? Is it because you think it's a bad idea or is it because you are afraid of failure?
Have as much sex as you can. It's not going to last forever.
I would add: "protected" to the sex. Not meaning with as many people as possible either as STDs are rampant and some are devastating to acquire. But find someone you really love. Sex gets better with the same person the more you practice together and learn what turns each other on.
Dont run after men so hard and focus on your career/business because men will come into your life no matter if u broke or have money they will come. Also get your life together not just money wise but health wise and mental wise. When u do that more men will be more attractive to u which is what u want why because u will have more a selection to pick then having to just settle for anyone meaning anyone that u are not attractive to physical and mental as well. So basically force on yourself in your 20s so in your 30s u can focus getting a husband.
Build your credit as soon as possible, be responsible with it. Bad credit will F you endlessly and it’s hard to get out of the bad credit pit. Where you live, what you drive, emergencies and such will all be defined by your credit.
Take naked pictures. Like professionally.
No I don’t mean send them to people!! And don’t do it for a boyfriend or a girlfriend - just for yourself!
You will look back years from now at how gorgeous you were and how much your “flaws” were really not flaws and were quite lovable.
Actually have someone take photos of your back when you are young. That way you have a reference for the doctor when you get older and they might see something that could be the beginnings of skin cancer when a mole appears.
To actually try and find a serious partner in your mid 20s. Growing up I’ve always heard your 20s are for having fun etc and don’t get pregnant. However once you hit your 30s you realise everybody good is already taken.
Here's my advice to the younger generations: Leave your eyebrows alone. They are fine, I swear. Do you have two? Then you're good. Don't touch them.
Agreed. Many millennials regret those pencil-thin brows and they’ve never grown back…
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Men especially - learn how to take care of yourselves. Cooking, cleaning, scrubbing toilets, laundry and every disgusting part of having children is NOT beneath you. You are not "helping" it is your responsibility just as much as your spouse. If you can't do these things it's because your parents didn't do their job. It is NOT up to your wife/partner to take care of you.
And caring for your children is *NOT* "babysitting". It's parenting, and you're just as responsible for it -- whether your parents chose to teach you this fact, or not.
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How about -Don't blame previous generations for everything that goes wrong with yours because before you know it you'll be the ones getting blamed.
Sorry but no. The economy, social security, environment, and housing are squarely to blame for the previous generations and they are still voting and making it impossible to correct those mistake.
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Here's my advice to the younger generations: Leave your eyebrows alone. They are fine, I swear. Do you have two? Then you're good. Don't touch them.
Agreed. Many millennials regret those pencil-thin brows and they’ve never grown back…
Load More Replies... Men especially - learn how to take care of yourselves. Cooking, cleaning, scrubbing toilets, laundry and every disgusting part of having children is NOT beneath you. You are not "helping" it is your responsibility just as much as your spouse. If you can't do these things it's because your parents didn't do their job. It is NOT up to your wife/partner to take care of you.
And caring for your children is *NOT* "babysitting". It's parenting, and you're just as responsible for it -- whether your parents chose to teach you this fact, or not.
Load More Replies... How about -Don't blame previous generations for everything that goes wrong with yours because before you know it you'll be the ones getting blamed.
Sorry but no. The economy, social security, environment, and housing are squarely to blame for the previous generations and they are still voting and making it impossible to correct those mistake.
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