Your 20s are one of the most important decades of your life. Many of you will graduate college and start or change your career during that time. Others will relocate and choose where they’ll settle down. A majority will meet the person they’re going to marry. Plus, if you do it right, you’ll also create awesome memories and meet some of your closest friends during this time. While you should go with the flow on some things, your 20s are a vital time to be intentional so you can set the foundation for an even more amazing time in your 30s and beyond. Here are 5 hobbies to pick up in your 20s that will benefit you for decades to come.
1. Investing.
If you’ve never heard of the power of compound interest and investing, I’m about to give you a crash course that could completely change your life. People in their 20s have an insane advantage when it comes to investing money. You could invest way less money now than someone who starts investing at 30 and still have more than them when you retire down the line.
Here’s an example.
Sara starts investing $100 per month – from the time she’s 20 until she turns 65. Then she lets it sit there at the average 8% return, compounding until she’s 65. John, on the other hand, doesn’t start investing until he’s 35. He also puts in $100 per month and invests until 65, also compounding. Guess who has more money? Surprisingly, Sara. The power of compound interest turned her $100/month investment into more than $466,000, while John who started investing at 35 would have a little over $136,000 at 65. How’s that for crunch numbers?
Now, most of us are guilty of saying we can’t invest in our 20s. I’m guilty of it too. Money is tight and investing sounds complicated or even boring when you’re in your twenties, but it doesn’t have to be. Set up automatic investments like on brokerages such as Webull or Robinhood, or open a Roth IRA on Webull, or just buy the good ole reliable S&P 500 index fund regularly, and you’ll be miles ahead of the game by the time you’re 30 – and light years ahead at 60. If you have a job – yes, even a part-time job – try to put at least fifty bucks a month in investments. Of course, only if you can afford it. You’ll thank me later. Here are the links to the brokerages like Webull and Robinhood if you’re interested in signing up and collecting some free shares for a limited time while they still last.
2. Networking.
I remember being in college and my early 20s when I realized that it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. By the way, I’m so lucky to know you through this channel, so please stay connected by liking this video and subscribing for more!
In most cases, personality and networking have a great deal to do with promotions, raises, and new job opportunities. If you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth, don’t worry; anyone can learn how to network. Four types of relationships could come out of networking, which we cover in greater detail in one of our past videos. If you’re in college, start with alumni connections. Most schools have some sort of program or a series of events that connect current students with alumni in their field. If that isn’t an option, check out apps like MeetUp or Facebook groups that cater to the field you’re interested in. Internships and entry-level jobs are also great places to make connections with bosses, clients, and co-workers. So long as you’re genuine, reliable, and try your best in whatever role you choose, you’d be surprised at how much others will be open to helping you.
I was a simple waitress for years yet established rapport with big-shot clients who offered me jobs in unrelated fields like insurance and state-funded construction! Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance or opportunities and, remember, the worst thing that could happen is nothing and the best thing that could happen is a brighter future for you!
3. Traveling.
If you have never left the country, are an experienced traveler, or have always wanted to explore the world, your 20s are the prime time to travel. Most of you won’t have kids, a mortgage, or other commitments tying you down. Teach English abroad for a one-year experience with some income or save up and go backpacking for a few months with friends. There are tons of blogs, YouTube videos, and websites dedicated to giving the best tips for traveling on a budget, alone, with friends, and every other scenario in the book. Traveling will enrich more than just your Instagram page; you’ll learn about other countries and cultures, meet awesome people from around the world, have wild adventures, and grow exponentially. What’s one place you would love to visit? Let me know in the comments! I personally lived in, worked in, and explored three different continents during my early 20s and it vastly shaped me into who I am in my late 20s, for the better. Not only that but when I did return to my home base to start a career, my past traveling experience was always highlighted in interviews and by my bosses!
4. A sport or exercise.
When you’re in your 20s, you feel invincible. You have fun in the sun, eat and drink freely with limited physical repercussions, and beat yourself up without feeling much pain. Then your 30s hits and all that consequential damage starts to show up. Metabolism slows, skin damage suddenly appears, and your body begs you for a full eight hours of sleep to function. It’s not a nice change, but there are things you can do to ease the transition and create a stronger body to take you into the future. Getting involved in sports or exercises in your twenties – and through them! – will give you the physical background you need to stay healthy, strong, and even more attractive as you age. Building muscle strength in your 20s increases your bone density, protecting you against age-related muscle loss and osteoporosis. When done right, cardio at this age can also lower your chance of heart disease, high blood pressure, and age-related joint pain as you get older.
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5. Volunteering.
You don’t hear about this much in your 20s or as you age, but volunteering is an awesome hobby to pick up and stick with throughout the years. The benefits are massive and include enhanced strength and mobility, reduced risk of chronic diseases, increased sense of purpose, and reduced stress levels. Not only that, but you’ll meet a diverse group of people, establish community, grow as a person, and be able to set an awesome example to those in your life now and in the years to come. There were definitely times in my 20s when I stopped volunteering for one reason or another, but every time I came back to it, I was reminded of the good it brings not only to others but to my internal self.
Conclusion:
Your 20s are going to be some of the most amazing and freest years of your life. You will grow as a person, learn more about what you need and want, and develop strong bonds that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Don’t waste a minute of it and be sure to take up these five hobbies to set yourself up for both fun and success.