Dear 20 Somethings...

I am very lucky to be in a job where I work with 20, 30, 40 and 50 somethings. I learn from those more experienced than me and I stay young thanks to my fellow 20 and 30 something colleagues. I have the best of both worlds. Especially now during a pandemic, where taking care of our mental health is so important, I am blessed to be surrounded by a great network of colleagues, friends and family. But being that I am in my mid 40's (gasp!) I find that my younger colleagues and even the adult children of friends and family have reached out to me for advice, encouragement or just simply a cup of coffee and conversation.

The world has changed it seems since I was in my 20's. First of all there was no Instagram or TIK TOK and Social Media was not even on the radar, yet! I feel like there is so much pressure these days to look good, travel to exotic destinations, drive fancy cars and live in homes that look like something out of House and Home Magazine. With everyone's daily life right down to what they had for breakfast posted in some picture on the internet, no wonder why so many young people are constantly on their phones trying to keep up with the Kardashians it seems. How stressful!

I like many others, have social media accounts and during the pandemic I found myself unfollowing celebrities as it was getting depressing seeing them on their private planes travelling and simply flaunting their wealth during the pandemic. This is just not the reality for the average citizen trying to survive.

I have learned quickly that not everything I see and read on social media is real! In a recent Instagram post there was a young adult female waking up at the RITZ in Paris having breakfast overlooking the Eiffle Tower, but what is the real story of that girl in the picture. Clearly that post is all about selling a dream and not so much a reality. Just because the picture looks perfect, it doesn't really mean it is.

Life is not always going to be perfect and reality is not always going to be glamourous. Do not feel pressured to be someone you are not, or to live a life you cannot afford. Be true to yourself and what makes you happy. Do not worry about impressing your neighbour, if it means you are miserable. Good things do come to those who wait. Unfortunately, life is not cheap, but be wise with your money and you too can enjoy nice things. It is nice to be able to get what you want, but when you are starting off in life, worry about what you really need and work towards getting what you want as you become more established.

We live in a hurried society, where we live to work. But I really prefer the mentality of my European relatives, where they work so they can live. Nothing in life is free, be prepared to work hard so you can equally play hard and enjoy life.

I once read a quote from Oprah that stuck with me.

" Be thankful for what you have; you end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will NEVER, EVER have enough. "

Dear 20 Something, try not live your life through a screen, always focusing on what you do not have, instead put down the phone and celebrate what you do have!