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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Shay ·

Talk Amongst Yourselves: Wish I knew in my 20s…


Happy Wednesday friends!
Today’s Talk Amongst Yourselves…things you wish you knew when you were in your 20s.
My list is long friends.  My list is long.  
Here are just a few of the things I wish I would have known in my 20s…
1. Tanning beds are going to cause you major damage in the future.  Get the heck out of them.
2. Stop all of that running and pick up some dumbbells.  
3. Low fat/fat free/sugar free stuff isn’t great.  Just eat real food in moderation.
4. You’re going to have braces THREE TIMES while you’re in your 20s but it’s really not as bad as it sounds (although, it sounds just awful).  One day, you’ll be in your 30s and be so thrilled that you suffered so much for your myofunctional health.
5. There are so many ways to be a mom…even if you don’t get pregnant, you can love a child just as much that didn’t come from your womb.
6. Glittery eyeliner is never good.
I could go on for days and days.  Now, it’s your turn.  What do you wish you would have known in your 20s?  Comment below.
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Comments

  1. Jen says

    I totally agree with the tanning bed one!! Also I wish I had cared less of what others thought about me and remembered that God is the one I need to seek to please. I actually have 2 months of my 20s left, but I'm looking forward to starting a new decade when I turn 30!

  2. Nicole K says

    I'm not 30 yet turning 28 soon but being a wife and mom to two amazing kids will make you learn a few things.My number one thing is stop caring what people think.Younger me care A LOT and now I feel secure in who I am.Other thing was not to use any drug store products on my hair! It's worth the money salon every time lol

  4. RED says

    1. Having credit cards does NOT mean that you have money!! Spend wisely!
    2. I like the dumbbells one….I keep hearing that you need a little cardio but it is the weights that have the biggest impact (which I still don't understand)! What kind of exercises do you do with dumbbells?
    3. Loved ones won't be here on this earth forever, so spend as much time with them as you can. It can be a long time before we see them again in our forever home
    4. It is so much better to be you than to be who others think you should be

  6. Cheri says

    Wow… I have children your age and I would have told myself to be more patient with them and take the time with them…they grow up so fast. Now I hope they do this with their children.

  8. Ana Bland says

    1.- Remember not to live for the approval of people but from the approval of God.
    2.- Don't be so stubborn and learn do give in sometimes.
    3.- It's OK for hubby to use the throw pillows at night. Don't get mad if they lose their shape. One day he won't be there to sleep on them anymore.
    4.- Don't fret about not having been able to complete your degree. Read as much as you can to gain more knowledge on all sorts of topics.
    5.- Tell your parents you love them every single day. One day you'll regret not having done it.

  11. Paula says

    Travel more before children.

    Eat out a little less and save more.

    Don't be in such a hurry for children. (Although I was 28 with my first child) Enjoy being married a little longer.

    Read more because I would have more time.

    Go to more UT football games.

    Worry less.

    Be more direct and less people pleasing.

    Don't allow opinions to disable you, but trust in the Lord more.

    Learn about fashion earlier. Mercy…my 20s were awful. I was an elementary school teacher and thought I had to look the part. TOO MANY JUMP SUIT DRESSES. Poor husband! It talks about it all the time. How my 30s I dress better. ..lol

  13. Laci Murray says

    I had babies when I was 21 and 24……I wish I had known the baby years fly by so fast and to savor each moment. Even the yucky ones…. But most importantly I wish I had never felt the pressure to "potty train" before my kids were ready and better yet, take my son's paci away before he was ready or understood! I wish in my 20's I would have been as laid back as I have been in my 30's!

  14. SwankyMrsFranky says

    I am still in my twenties..mid twenties actually..so I feel as though I have some things to learn! I feel that so far in my twenties I have started to learn what "real life" is about and that not everything is easy. I think the twenties can be a season of learning and growth that determines who you want to be later in life. This "season" I have had to let go of a few negative people that I have been friends with for sometime because I didn't need a negative drain on the positive life I am trying to build. I also learned what it was like to be married, make new friends in a new city, and spend so much time with family members that I cherish with all my heart. I think that , so far, my twenties have been challenging, amazing, surprising, and wonderful. I look forward to all of the advice today :)!

  15. V @ X-tremely V says

    100% agree with the tanning bed one! What were we thinking?! So many things come to mind! Embrace your dark hair instead of trying to be blonde. WOW! I looked horrible and so washed out! Hmm..not sure why my friends didn't ever say anything. Maybe because they were all doing it too! lol! Dinner is not a chocolate shake and french fries. Eat some real food! Stop trying to plan every moment of your life — things will fall into place when the time is right and it will truly be for the best! Seriously so many things I could tell myself!

  16. Leigh Clark says

    Haha – the glittery eye liner is AWESOME!! Oh man – I wish I had enjoyed my time with friends so much more in my 20's! In my 30's its all about kids and work and hard to fit in friend time!! By the way – we had your chipolte fish tacos last night and they were a HIT!

  19. Kristen Lewis says

    That 30 creeps up WAY too fast! That tanning beds are the worst! That I was actually really thin and I wish I appreciated my body more. To appreciate each day for what it is and enjoy life. I wish I knew what real friends were in my 20s! I have so many good ones now compared to then!

  20. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    losing 5lb is so much easier than 40.. lose your baby weight lol … this is just for me .. please don't be offended.

    don't worry so much about what people think of you.

    try new things.. don't be scared to fail.

  21. Wannie says

    Great post, Shay! I still have a couple years left in my 20's, so I am very interested to see everyone's advice. Thanks!

  22. Kimberly Escarcega says

    I just turned 21 so I guess I still have a lot to learn 🙂 glad I can read through these and while you can't give this advice to your past self, people like me are reading and taking it to heart!

  23. Katherine Madsen says

    I would totally advise myself to BE NICER! You will never regret not being rude. Also to lend a helping hand to those in need… it often does you more good than it did for them! And also to enjoy each stage of life and don't rush into the next one.

  24. Lindsay Otis says

    Haha I love all of these! I am still in my 20s but I have learned my lesson about tanning beds, unfortunately I am still pretty awful about tanning outside. :/ love all of the advice though.

    Linds @ not a mom

  25. Jenn says

    I only have a few months left in my 20's. I would say the biggest things I have learned so far:

    – Work is important, but it is ok to have some fun and take some time off!
    – Travel now before kids and work gets too complicated
    – Everyone says your metabolism will slow down. Guess what, they are right! Learn moderation and an exercise routine that works for you
    – Save what you can, you will appreciate it later on
    – Make time for family

  27. Melanie says

    I'm 35, here's what I wish I knew 10 years ago:
    – Spend as much time with your loved ones as possible
    – Save more money
    – cherish ALL the children at home years, the days ARE long but the years are short (I had kids at 24 & 26)
    – Try ALL the foods (HA!)…you will probably like them 🙂

  29. Cristin says

    Get out of college debt as quickly as possible

    Sit down with a financial planner as soon as you graduate from college and get your retirement in order. Compounding interest and investments really make a HUGE gain over a 10 or 15 year period. Start your nest egg as early as possible, even if its small so that you are not playing catch up in your 40s.

    Travel, see the world. Figure out how to afford it. Need a backpack and a train ticket? Go! I have received more job offers based on my world experiences than my degree. In fact, I don't think most employers really care about it!

    Don't forget the foreign language you learned in college…in fact learn a 3rd or 4th one while you have the time.

    Go in to your 30's in shape…the older you get, the harder it is to lose the weight!

    And last, everything you do has an impact on someone or something…littering, using harsh chemicals in your home or on your body, or just being rude to a customer service employee on the phone. Your actions matter. Practice being a good steward now.

  30. Lacey Salmon says

    I hit 27 in March & for some reason that birthday was a hard one, probably bc I'm getting closer and closer to 30! I've had a great 20s, but definitely learned a few things!

    Always listen to prompts from the Holy Spirit to reach out to a friend or hug a loved a one, don't have regrets.

    Give generously! It's so rewarding to serve and give to others and I feel so bogged down sometimes with my own life but have realized how important and rewarding it can be to be selfless & thoughtful.

    Don't wait until you can afford it to have more children (this one came from a elderly gentleman at church)

    Save when you have a dual income! We lived a little, travelled a lot which I don't regret, but thankful for what we did save since we live on my husbands income now.

  31. Camille Ellise says

    I just turned 20 last month and i need to read all of these a MILLION times. thanks 🙂

  32. Elizabeth says

    I'm 60. In my twenties, I thought my opinions were so important and freely gave advice whenever I felt somebody needed it. So glad there was no Facebook as I would have spouted off way too much. I baked in the sun without sunscreen. There were no tanning beds back then, thank goodness, as I would have tanned year round.

  33. Betsy says

    1. Whether it's for a semester in college, with your spouse, or by yourself, live abroad at some point.
    2. Changing your major in college is okay and so is not graduating in 4 years.
    3. Find a fitness routine that works for you and stick to it.
    4. Don't try live up to anyone's expectations, but your own.

  34. ClintandGina says

    I'm 37 and what I wish I would have known in my twenties is:
    1. Just enjoy the season you are in…….I spent my single years dreaming of being married, longing to meet the "one". He finally came along when I was 27. He was worth the wait. If I could go back, I would just soak in those single years…….travel with my friends……go out to long dinners with friends and not even pay attention to guys.
    This leads to my #2
    2. God's timing is so much better than our own………God doesn't work on our timeline. I thought I would get married at 22, have a baby at 25 and live in a house with a white picket fence. I got married at 28, had my babies at 31 and 33. I wouldn't change my life for the world.
    3. Sweet girlfriends are hard to come by. Cherish them.
    4. Always make time for family…….you never know how long you have with them.

  35. The Nelson Happenings says

    I agree, SKIP TANNING BEDS !!!! Yikes, my skin is seriously paying for the damage I did.
    SAVE YOUR MONEY !!! While your young stick as much away for retirement as you can.

  36. Ashley Praytor says

    Travel, travel, travel!
    Learn to cook from items you have only in your fridge
    Appreciate your looks/body
    Say no to credit cards
    Getting a professional salon haircut and color is worth the money! Do not try to color your own hair!

  37. Andrea says

    This is a great topic. Here is my list:

    1) You don't know everything and that is okay.
    2) RELAX!
    3) Cherish every moment with your grandmother and uncle because they both will pass away within a four month span in your early 30's.
    4) Enjoy the kid's while they are toddlers because before you know it they will be teenagers and you will wonder where did the time go.
    5) Don't buy that BMW and listen to your mentor when she says to trade in the Acura for a cheaper car. Take that money you will spend on maintenance and car payments and put it into savings to buy a house.
    6) Listen to your mother about that guy that you are so in a hurry to marry. Ugh mom is right! LOL!
    7) Everything happens for a reason and some things are not to be figured out. So stop trying!
    8) Stay in college because it will save you a world of grief later.
    9) Take more time to figure out who you really are and less time being who people want you to be.
    10) You are BEAUTIFUL and God loves you! Don't let anyone tell you anything different.

    Thanks for the opportunity to share!

  38. averysmom says

    I'm almost 46 with two teens (14 & 16).
    Work while they are in preschool & elementary. You can be involved in their early years but they really need you involved more when they are teens. So many temptations, opportunities, peer pressures, growing pains come their way starting in middle school and double if not triple in high school. We talk to our kids a lot and it still amazes me what goes on in their or their friends/classmates heads.