I'd like to start by welcoming myself back to the Hive space. I was gone for a few seconds. I'd probably discuss that in subsequent posts, or maybe not. I also want to make it known that I'll post more frequently on this platform about my personal interests and life in general. I find content like this to be more intriguing and relatable. Such as this is.
Maximizing your early-twenties experience is the headline of my piece, but I should have titled it 'I'm trying to make the most of my early-twenties', now that I've given it some more thought. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm making every effort to enjoy my early 20s. I hope you find this post useful or at least enlightening.
In essence, my name is Naza. Somewhere at the University of Port Harcourt, I'm in my finals (which has spanned for the longest, all thanks to ASUU). And as the title of this piece suggests, I'm in my early 20s. 22 years old and still figuring things out in life.
Being in your early 20s is most thrilling since you can now be recognized as an adult by others. It's a pretty strange moment in life because, for example, to a 13-year-old, you may seem quite ancient, but to a man in his 30s, you still have a lot of time ahead of you. It's a phase in life where you start to accept the defects and insecurities you've probably never recognized about yourself. By dealing with the challenging emotions that come with starting a new period of life, I'm becoming conscious of how much letting go I still need to accomplish.
At this stage, you make a ton of errors. Being in my early 20s, i've learned that it's acceptable to take risks and utterly fail at things because, in reality, this is the best time to learn from them. This has been the toughest thing for me to take. I used to be the type of person who avoided failure by limiting my activities to only those in which I excelled, and this effectively constrained me in more ways than I can mention. I'm learning to accept failure. You discover what works for you through this procedure. Experimenting with new endeavors and figuring things out.
Given the state of this country, it can often be overwhelming and confusing due to the various expectations we set for ourselves, but it's alright to go at your own pace and do what suits you. There's no rush. It's acceptable to deviate from the norm. It's acceptable to move at your own pace. Saying no to activities that you do not find enjoyable or calming is completely acceptable. At this time in your life, you need to discover who you are.
I'm adopting this similar approach to myself as well because, if I'm being completely honest, there are some things in my life that I kind of put off doing out of fear of failing. For instance, this piece had been delayed the longest due to concerns about what my readers would think, whether they would comprehend it the way I had intended, and whether I would be able to convey the idea well. Although I'm still learning, I'm teaching myself to be bold in all of my endeavors. I'm not there yet, but the fulfillment that comes from at least engaging in the activities that I find enjoyable has been heartwarming.
Savor each minute. I discovered this one close to the end of my adolescence. I've come to realize that life is for living, and that this stage of life does not repeat itself. Live in the present. This might not be so simple though, as I've discovered that it's much simpler to wallow in the past, construct mountains out of molehills, and wonder what the future holds; but then, what happens next? It's important to make the most of the opportunities that come with these times.
I won't conclude this article without stressing the need of carving aside time for alone time. Create a life that is centered more on you than just other people. Pleasure in your leisure time. Reflect on your accomplishments to date and establish higher goals for yourself.
Light and affection.
