Twenty-four: 24 things 24 women wish they knew at age 24

I'm over half-way done with year 24 of my life. It has been a rollercoaster of a ride thus far, and I still have a few months more to go! With that in mind, I decided to reach out to twenty four of my favourite women in my life and see what they wish they knew at this age (with some having this season of their life waaaay in the rearview mirror and some still living it). Here's what they had to say...

Diane, 24

I wish I knew how to save LOL

Angelina, 33

Learn to say "no" without having to explain yourself.

Janine

​You can't EVER go back!  I know you young people hear from us old people all the time that "time flies,"  that it seems that just last year we graduated from college,  just last month we got married, just last week my baby was born!  But truly, truly, before you know it your life will be more than half over!

"We only get one ride around the sun."  Eat the cake, buy the shoes, take the trip.  Be with people you love.  Be with people who love you.  Say what you need to say.  Don't be afraid to ask for what you want.  Stand up for yourself -- and for those you love.
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A moment that has passed will never come again.  You don't want to get 10 or 20 or 30!!  years down the road and find yourself saying "if only...."
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Josephina, 37

Get a great education. That is something that no one can take away from you.
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Alexis, 26

​Create your own environment. Put yourself in a place that will help you grow, not suppress your growth. Surround yourself with people who understand, or at least make the effort to understand you. There are always options. Do not settle for someplace that does not feed your core.

Emery, 28

Get more sleep. Seriously, even if you have to nap. Do it. You will crave for the days you can sleep leisurely. 

Alyssa, 25

Here's a story: A thief is caught and dragged before the king. Because he has been a repeat offender, the king sentences him to death. “Wait, wait, your majesty, spare my life, please,” the thief says, “I can do something for you that no one else can do! I can teach your horse how to sing!” The king laughs, but he‘s curious. “Alright,” he says, “You have one year to teach my horse to sing. If you cannot, your sentence will be carried out as planned.” So, every day, a guard takes the thief down to the stables, and watches him sing to the king’s horse. One day he finally says to the thief, “What are you even doing? You can’t actually think this is going to work!” The thief shrugs, and smiles, and says, “My friend, a year is a very long time. The horse might die. The king might die. Or, just maybe...”

Now I know there are a lot of different messages you could from this story, but the “or just maybe” really sticks with me. A lot can happen in a seemingly short period of time. Think about where you were this time last year. Do you think you would have believed you’d be where you are now? Imagine where you might be a year from now!
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This hits me harder and harder every single goddamn year of my life, to the point where I’m almost in awe of it. Anything could happen. “Or just maybe.” The problem you were worrying about nonstop last year has finally been solved. You might be somewhere completely different from where you wanted to be, but maybe it’s because you’re meant to be there. A part of your life that you thought set in stone, suffers a sudden, unexpected change.

Beloved, the world is hard, and it’s always changing. Don’t be afraid if you’re not where you thought you’d be. Don’t be too upset if things don’t work out the way you want. Take a deep breath. Remember: a year is a long time. You’ll be surprised where you end up.

Melanie, 40

Here are three basic needs for every person: a wish bone, a back bone, and a funny bone. Be hopeful in the face of adversity, stand up for yourself, and be able to laugh!

Kelly, 25

Don't quit. You can do so much more than what your mean inner voice says you can/cannot do. Follow the good voice.

Michelle, 31

Networking is not collecting contacts. Networking is about planting relations and making relationships.

Karen, 27

Surround yourself with people who will lift you up, not tear you down.

Sophia, 25

Ask yourself, "Who do you want to be?" Think about who you hope to grow into. That desire is as important as who you are currently, to set your intention and inform the steps you'll take now to get there.

Emma, 26

Count your blessings. Take stock of your personal and professional achievements and be proud of yourself. Be positive!

Jessie, 28

People lose their passion- don't be one of those people. They get a job to pay the bills and do what they love "on the side." The problem with that is that they eventually lose motivation, fall into a routine (and don't want to get out of it), and give up the very thing they once valued the most. It's sad... but it's a part of adulthood that many people don't talk about. But the thing is, they... I... look back in regret, almost basking in the "I wish I could have..." moments.

Terry, 40

I would not hold any grudges- none of them are worth it. ​It is very difficult to remain in a state of happiness when you are surrounded by negativity. Even if you feel hatred, don’t hurt other people for any reason.

Jessica, 35

Drink more water. Oh, and avoid drinking and smoking.

Sarah, 25

That there’s no timeline that things have to be done on. You can do anything on your own pace. And something about mental health. There’s no stigma to reaching out for help with mental health or anti depressants. There’s no problem with taking care of your brain.

Nathalie, 25

That it’s okay to not be where you want to be professionally, and better yet it’s okay to go back to the drawing board and start over. I feel as though once a week I’m assessing where I’m at in my career. It’s stressful and nerve racking but I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that there is no perfect timeline for “success”.

Kitty, 24

I wish I was told there was more than one way to "make it." I feel too pressured now... and don't know what to do.

Phoebe, 27

​Open your home to people those who are in need. Build a larger table, not a higher fence.

Caitlyn, 25

We still have a lot to learn - be open to that. ​It's the spontaneous adventures that bring extreme moments of joy. But they are best enjoyed when you know you have something safe to land on as well.

Jay, 32

​When people show you who they are, believe them. ​You are a reflection of the five people you spend the most time with - choose them wisely.

Hannah, 29

Invest in high quality things. This includes high quality pieces (such as 100% linen, cotton, silk, cashmere) that will never go out of style if they are classic pieces. The other important thing to invest it? Travel. Go see the world- it is so important to travel and expand your horizons. Travel, travel, travel.

Cherise, 30

​Get an idea of how to handle your finances. ​Travel while you’re young and able. Don’t worry about the money, just make it work. Experience is far more valuable than money will ever be.

What do you wish you had known at age 24?