What three “gifts” would you give a 20-something if you were a “Forty-Godmother”? 40-something women share three things to help a 20-something get a head start on the confidence to make decisions that are right for themselves. No more woulda, coulda, shoulda.
1. Explore. You are never going to be 21 again. You are never going to be 22 again. You are never going to be anything again. Enjoy the gifts that you were given at that age. Go out there and see what creative or intellectual pursuit is going to be your foundation to grow professionally. Find something you can hold on to and love….something that doesn’t bore you.
2. We’re so lucky where we grew up…how we grew up. I thought things would run out. It turns out that more and more great things unfold. It’s just completely unpredictable. I didn’t realize there was an abundance of stuff here for us. Then I realized — no — beautiful things can keep happening …with money or without money. It was a rejiggering of what special is and what value is and what is important to me. It’s easier to live with that in mind than this idea of getting somewhere.
3. Budget. Ever since I had to pay for college, the Excel spreadsheet became my best friend. How much money do you have? How much do you need to spend? I planned out 2 years with very, very little income and living really small in New York City. And loans for grad school too. It was okay.
-40-Something, NYC, from studying law to psychology and evolving from retail to art design