21 things I learned before turning 22

Life is pretty fascinating in the way it connects everything.

All the experiences (both the good and bad), lessons, and those intense ballet classes I’ve been through has prepared me to become the product designer I am today 🦋

A year ago on my 21st birthday, I published a post reflecting on my 20th year. I wrote how scary 20 was— the decline of passion in my long held dream, the loneliness I felt, and the trauma from the after math complications. But aside from that, I also wrote about my excitement as I discovered a new world outside of ballet. As I’m writing this today, I turn 22 years old. It’s definitely been quite the journey from the time I wrote that post. The change in self love, the return of passion for ballet, the discovery of a new passion in tech, and the evolution of my personal growth.

This article is dedicated to all the lessons I’ve personally learnt from my career transition and healing journey ✨

(Left) August 2020: Linkedin post on my 21st birthday (Right) August 2021: Instagram post on my 22nd birthday

August 31st 2021, my 22nd chapter begins— here’s to more good memories, exciting experiences, lessons, and self exploration ❤️

1. Take pleasure in the simple things (be grateful for even the smallest things in life)
2. Treasure your childhood passions. Keep them close to your heart < 3
3. It is okay to not pursue a career out of your first love passion aka childhood passion. It’s either going to be your career or side hustle or self care. It will always remain in your life as long as you treasure it always. It’s your soulmate for a reason.
4. The best friendships will never be questioned. You will get true happiness, laughter, and reassurance from those friendships.
5. Saturdays are my self care days. I take myself on a date, I go to ballet class, and I sleep.
6. You come first. Never let a job/employer dominate who you are and your happiness. If that employer truly cares about you, they will respect you for your needs and who you are.
7. Have hobbies—A hobby outside your current field, a hobby that relaxes your mind, a hobby that lights your soul, a hobby that shines light on your inner child…etc
8. Invest in your knowledge. Never stop learning, and never stop being curious ❤
9. Write your ideas down and implement them into reality.
10. Self discipline is a hard skill to learn. I am forever grateful to ballet for teaching this to me from such a young age (I learnt this the hard way…)
11. Appreciate the value of mentorship. I look up to my teachers, managers, and older co-workers as my mentors— I love listening to their stories, and learning from their experiences.
12. Learn how to understand and analyze your emotions.
13. Verbalize your appreciation to your loved ones. They will only know if you say it to them.
14. Journal about your day. (the good, the bad, the lessons, and all the emotions—You will understand yourself better.)
15. Don’t just aimlessly aim higher. It’s important to strive for better everyday but make sure to look back and remind yourself how far you’ve come and be proud of that :)
16. Build good habits. Start today— your future self will thank you.

I’m continuing the last few on my diary series I created recently on youtube called the “Post Career Change Diaries” where I highlight the most important lessons I’ve learnt throughout my journey. 👇

With that being said, what are some of things you would tell your younger 22nd year old self?

P.S I would love to feature everybody’s comments/tips in a new video where other 22 year olds/ early career folk peeps can reference! Let’s make this a thread ✨