An Open Letter To 20 Something Young Kenyans

By Lilian Wamaitha

“I don’t know what I am doing with my life. I am not in a relationship and I am yet to get a job that is in line with my career,” said a friend of mine the other day.

You can imagine my first instinct was to comfort her but then again I thought about my life. I am in my twenties and I still can’t say that I am where I want to be in life.

I know for sure that if you are reading this, you are probably in the same situation. Maybe you are yet to land a job and all your friends seem to be way ahead in life. Hell, most of your high school friends already have families and you can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed because you think that you have missed on a huge part of your life.

So that day, I went home and wrote myself a letter – a letter to my twenty-something self that I will share with you because the last thing I want is to live a frustrated life thinking that I will never achieve my dreams. I know I will.

Related10 Misconceptions in Your 20s That Are Keeping You Frustrated

Dear 20 something Me,

1. It’s not the end of the world

I know it seems like life is moving at a slower pace for you but that okay. The most important thing is that you are still forging ahead.

When you look at the miles stones you have made in the past, then it will make more sense that you are where you are. Your future is still bright.

2. Please don’t compare yourself to others

I know you have those friends who seem at the height of their careers, another one has just gotten married and someone else has already turned their passion into a lucrative business. This will only lead to more stress. Instead, accept where you are in life and focus on believing in yourself.

3. You are the only one who controls your life

People moving on around you, may scare you but honor that. It’s the most beautiful part of the puzzle. Use that fear to make better choices in your life, career, and relationships. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and enjoy your life. Do something that you will be proud to tell your great grand kids one day.

4. You don’t need kids

I know everybody seems happy showing off their babies on social media and you are thinking, “Holy crap, what am I doing with my life?”

Trust me you don’t need kids to be happy. If you haven’t had them yet, then it’s not the right time for you. You are just in your twenties and there is so much around you that you can find happiness in.

5. The best is yet to come

Trust me on this, you are living your best moments – it’s just that you haven’t realized it. Never be scared to dream (whether big or small, they are all valid). And by the way, it’s okay to change your mind once in a while, you are normal. If you think that something is not working, dream some more.

6. Don’t sweat on small stuff

Drop worrying about small stuff and save the worry for big stuff, scratch that, don’t worry about that either. Things will always work out and it doesn’t do you any good by worrying about things you have no control on. Trust me, as long as you maintain your integrity and authenticity, the rest will fall into place.

7. Prepare

I know you don’t like planning for things but instead, enjoy living in the moment, but please do. Save up to invest later. Look for other ways to supplement your income. The future will still come and you want to be somewhere. You don’t want to be the thirty-year-old, who doesn’t have a career or a business. Choose one.

Trust me you will come to realize that time is the most precious commodity you have, so don’t waste it.

Keep Rocking It,
Your 20 something-year-old self

Related: 10 Goals You Should Set To Accomplish Before You Turn 30

What’s your opinion on the letter? Share your precious comments below.

Lilian Wamaitha is a Communications and Digital Marketing Officer at Career Point Kenya. Contact her via lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke. Click here to like us on Facebook

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