10 Rules Every Twentysomething Should Break in Her Life

Because sometimes, it's OK to do your own thing

21 March, 2018
10 Rules Every Twentysomething Should Break in Her Life

1. "Stick to what you know and are good at"

OK OK, so we all play to our strengths in life and admittedly fall into patterns and habits, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't test yourself once in a while. How will you figure out what your true talents and passions are if you stay within your comfort zone? You never know what might be around the corner.

2. "Never make the first move"

Girls, it is 2016 and there is NO room for dallying right now. Thanks to *the Internet* there is basically no such thing as the "guys should make the first move" rule anymore - and if you follow it, you might be waiting for a while.

Just check out Bumble - a whole app dedicated to women being in control - and heaps of other dating apps that bring back the balance when it comes to love. Oh and remember, this applies in the real world, too.

3. "Certain colours don't suit your skin tone"

Time and time again, women are told what colours, prints and patterns will suit their colour/shape/body type, but really, shouldn't we all be wearing what makes us happy and confident? Yaaas.

And if you want any guidance on how to wear whatever you want, however you want, we reckon the lovely ladies over at Confetti Crowd might have some ideas...

4. "Women shouldn't travel by themselves"

In the year 2016, the majority of roads less travelled have, er, actually already been travelled by many solo women before you - and will be travelled by millions after you. So whether it's your own personal fear holding you back or other people's influence, DON'T LET IT. Solo women can - and do - travel all over the world on their own individual, safe and independent journeys.

5. "Don't speak to strangers"

Whilst this might be hammered into us as children, speaking to strangers can open more doors than you know when it comes to your personal life, career or otherwise. Whether it's at a networking event, through friends of friends or even on the Tube to work, don't be afraid to greet a face you don't already know.

6. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all"

We're not encouraging cat fights in the street, but sometimes it's important to stand up for yourself and not let other people walk all over you. Twitter trolling and internet bullying is on the rise - but so is the number of convictions every year for people who carry out cyber abuse. Don't engage in a bitter dispute with strangers over the internet but DO report the problem and carry on with your life. If we don't stand up to cyber bullies, they will continue to multiply.

7. "Don't wear bold lips and eyes together"

If the likes of Snow White have taught us anything, bold eyeliner and a lippy CAN work together on a day to day basis, and your makeup doesn't have to be subtle on the eyes to complement the lips or vice versa.

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8. "Spend all your time at the office"

While your twenties is the perfect time to concentrate on building a career and planning for your future, it is also arguably the most independent decade you'll ever get to live. Work hard, yes, but don't forget that there's more to your future than just your job. Spending time on your own can help you realise what you want in life and making room for hobbies, friends and partners will only have a positive effect on your life as a whole.

9. "Drastic haircuts only look good on certain face shapes"

If you've been obsessing over Ruby Rose's cropped hair for the last 12 months (haven't we all, love) but are too scared to take the plunge because people say it "won't suit you", just go for it. If it doesn't suit you, it'll grow out - and if it does? You've just found your new signature.

Of course if you're nervous about going for the chop without a proper idea of what it'll look like, there are plenty of apps where you can experiment with different hair styles on a picture of your face. And they're pretty fun to play, too.

10. "You shouldn't apply for a job more than two levels above your current one"

If you're trying to climb the ladder, finding the right opportunities to apply for is hard - which is why you shouldn't limit the type of job you apply for and look inside your current company. Of course, being realistic will help your hunt, by why not apply for the manager's job when you're an assistant? If you don't try, you'll never know.

Helena Deards, Talent Acquisition Manager for BT says: "You've already got an advantage over other candidates – you're part of the company, you know what works and what doesn't. Approach the hiring manager and talk openly about your application, be clear that you're interested and ask for their constructive feedback. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you hear!

"Even if it's not a role for you now, at least they know that you're interested in progressing and will keep you in mind in future. It's a win-win."

Credit: Cosmopolitan
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