What to expect when you hit 20s

Hey guys its been awhile since you last see me! 

Hi I am Kife and I am turning 24 this year. Recently just completed my reservist and man I feel old now. Its a year since I stepped into this the working industry and I have some pointers for you, younger people out there!

Do you think stepping into adulthood is really that fun? Well judge it after reading this.

1) You feel lost & not ready

I mean after graduation/ORD from the army - you will most likely feel lost. 

At some point of time you want to take a break, but at the same time it seems that everyone else is working and having their life planned out and you don't want to be at the back of the line. 

At the same time you don't know what to do so most likely, you will start off with a random job that pays your bills.

Not ready? You will get used to it soon.

2) LOADS of planning & decision making

This is inevitable. Everybody grows old.

At one point you will realise a lot of insurance agents start looking for you. They will tell you to start young because what you're planning now will affect the quality of life when you retire. 

Projected payout are not figures that you will be guaranteed. Whether or not your investment turns out well, who knows? But there are risks to take and I must say, you should start planning soon. 

3) There are a lot more things to learn

Not everything you learn when you were studying helps you with your job and if you don't start learning you will most likely become replaceable.

When you're in your 40s and at the max salary for your position (every position have a max salary) the chances of you getting retrench will be very high. 

Why? Because with the salary you're getting, your boss can easily replace you with 2 or 3 younger talents.

HOWEVER, one thing that they can't take away is your knowledge. So it is time to prep yourself with many skills so that you become irreplaceable and important.

4) You always feel broke

You have more money in your bank account now compared to last time . But you always feel dirt broke. 

Why? Let me do a small calculation for you.

Let's say your gross monthly salary is $2500

CPF - $500 (20%)

Bills - $50 (let's say you're only paying your phone bill)

Investments & Insurance - $200 (If you actually plan for your future)

Parents - $400 ($200 each?)

Savings - $1000 (save 50% of your salary is good)

WHAT YOU ARE LEFT WITH - $350!!!!

Ya you must think that you have a lot of money now right? $350 is like back during school days only that you have to pay for your own transportation most likely $80 (ADULT FARE) and you only have a good $200+ to spend for the entire month. not to say there are a lot of miscellaneous things that I didn't count in, for example : attend weddings, travels, occasional splurging etc... 

AND OF COURSE, it won't be enough so you will have to dig your savings (then you save lesser) 

So you feel broke a not? You feel broke af. 

5) You feel old and tired easily

Working 5-6days a week drains you out mentally. Slowly you realise that you do not have the strength anymore and you feel tired and just want to spend time at home doing nothing. 

The party days will soon come to an end, and you will feel that its okay because you don't want it anymore and that you have to use your energy on your work.

In addition, there will be a lot of whining and complaining. but when you complain you're old, the older people will scold you. Because they are more tired than you! 

6) You feel that you're not advancing in life

At this moment, most likely your friends are experiencing marriage & parenthood. 

The amount of people getting married in. your circle will increase, and the amount of friends giving birth will most likely to increase. What are you doing now? Single af.

Some time later there will be this feeling of crisis because you are still stuck and not advancing and it feels like everyone else is at the next stage of life and you're not.

But trust me, you will get over it because you know that different people takes different kinds of lifestyle. 

Be envious of marriage, but does marriage suit you? If not why get married now? Is it because it became a 'trend' that you have to follow or is it because its just life? 

You will find your answer soon enough.

7) You afraid to grow old

You probably think it is okay now. But I'm sure when you look into the mirror part of you feels scared. Wrinkles are forming, Your hair drops more and more and you're not looking any younger. 

Kids start calling you aunty/uncle. You have come to the realisation that, oh you're really not that young anymore. But someday you will be old and you just have to be embracing life and age gracefully. 

8) It feels like you don't have much friends anymore

Yes. This is true. You're experiencing adulthood same goes to the people around you. Your friends are busy with their working life, family and commitments. It is bound to happen and you can't escape that. 

Your close friends will all be busy and it will be very difficult to arrange a meet up because of the difference in schedule. Finding someone to go out on your off day will be difficult. and this goes to point 9.

9) You will feel lonely 

There will confirm be this emotional breakdown. Because you feel that your friends don't care about you anymore. However you will get used to it gradually and overcome it.

You will realise that is not that they don't care, is that everyone became mature and grew out of the feeling of attachment. You become more understanding as a person when this hits you and of course you guys are still best friends no matter what. 

You just have to find something to do during those times and eventually you will be used to this new lifestyle.

10) You can no longer be ignorant 

There's no more saying, Aiya~ next time then think, now is not the time. What do you mean it is not the time? 

Now is the time for you to think and you cannot escape from the problems that you're facing anymore because why? YOU ARE NO LONGER A KID.

11) You have withdrawal symptoms 

Remember those times when you're a kid and can't wait to step into adulthood start earning your own money? Ha Ha after working awhile you feel like dropping back to your childhood with no stress, everyday just need to think what to eat, go where play. 

Sorry, time cannot rewind, you can only get adjusted and move forward.

Having said all that, I'm not negative towards my adult life. These were phases that my friends and I experienced and shared about so I might as well write it here on my blog to share it with you guys!

You can agree or disagree there's no right or wrong, everybody experiences things differently and I hope this gives you a rough idea of how being an adult is like when you hit 20s!

Seeya~