Figuring Out Your 20s: Bring Joy and Excitement to Your Life
I know my life won’t always be as it is now, so I have the most incredible opportunity to embrace my current season by practicing gratitude, creating consistent and fun experiences, getting off social media, and exploring new places.
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Seattle — Everyone around me is experiencing some change, and their lives look exciting. They’re moving, starting new relationships, or traveling to exotic places. I’ve compared myself quite a bit, wondering if I like my life, being less present, and focusing more on the future.
As I navigate comparison and work to be content with my own life, here are some things I’m doing to bring joy and excitement into my life.
Practicing gratitude
Every day I wake up healthy is a day I can be thankful for. Recentering my focus on what I currently have and being grateful has shifted my perspective. I can list out all that I don’t have, but counting my blessings one by one has shown me what I do have, and I find myself much more content with the life I currently have.
Creating a fun reoccurring experience
Since I’ve opted not to date and instead enjoy my own company, I’ve had to create consistent experiences that I find fun. Last week, I reignited my love for movie-going. The thrill of watching a trailer, building anticipation to watch the movie, buying a ticket, getting movie theater snacks, and experiencing the film for the first time with strangers cannot be replaced. I’ve created a movie list and have expectantly reserved Tuesdays for movie dates with myself.
Getting out of the house and off social media
Doom scrolling has done nothing positive for me and feeds comparison more than we rather admit. I’ve chosen not to know everything everyone is doing, which has been the best thing for me. Whether it’s going to a coffee shop and writing, reading a book at the beach, taking a walk when it’s sunny out, going to the mall, or doing activities that force me to be off my phone and more present, these have all helped to see the beauty around me.
Exploring new places and taking day trips
There is so much out there to explore. This past weekend, I took the initiative to take a day trip to Vancouver, B.C. Instead of staying home, I gave myself a low budget and went somewhere new. I ate great food at several restaurants and made new memories in a new place.
I know my life won’t always be as it is now, so I have the most incredible opportunity to embrace my current season by practicing gratitude, creating consistent and fun experiences, getting off social media, and exploring new places. I hope you can do the same!
Tracy Noze is a Seattle-based journalist.
Edited by Nykeya Woods