I spent most of twenties living in St. Louis. It was a great time of discovery about myself and about life. While I didn’t realize it at the time, most of the spiritual truths I build my life around today were developed during that time. More than anyplace I have ever lived, I felt a keen sense of connection with the place itself. My twenties were also a fertile creative time, with many story ideas still percolating, still waiting for me to develop the discipline to sit down and write them out. Your twenties are a time of experimenting and learning life lessons that will shape your future.
- I learned to appreciate the seasons and feel connected to the rhythm of the year.
2. I fell in love with the first snowfall each year.
3. I learned to appreciate beautiful moments when they happen. Many of those memories from my twenties life me up today.
4. I learned to (try to at least) see the joy in everyday things and experiences.
5. I learned to notice my surroundings through the city’s architecture. Notice what is going on around you wherever you are.
6. I developed an incurable passion for old homes and their craftsmanship.
7. I noticed trains and longed for a time when our country would use them to their fullest advantage. I am still longing for that.
8. I began to fight against losing the best parts of the past and the lessons learned from the worst parts of the past.
9. I learned to feel connected to a sense of place, and to embrace the traditions that have shaped me.
10. I found beauty in imperfection. Patina became my favorite aesthetic.
11. I escaped to independent films at beautiful old movie houses.
12. I found the easiest way to regain my internal balance was to take a long walk.
13. Through St. Louis’ amazing city parks, I learned the value of shared public spaces.
14.. Over and over again this place taught me that sadness is inevitable and that it should be experienced and honored as a vital part of life. This is perhaps the most important of the life lessons I have ever learned.
15. Having grown up in the suburbs, I learned to appreciate an urban landscape.
16. I learned the essence of who I am, who I love and what my unalterable core is. I think this is the real purpose of our twenties.
17. I learned to appreciate being alone and being with others. I function best when I find the right balance between connecting and solitude.
18. I learned that it isn’t healthy to continue to ignore unpleasant things, personally or communally.
19. I found that where you are does not define how happy or unhappy you are.
20. I learned that people of poor backgrounds, modest means and great wealth all share the same emotions and face the same larger lessons as human beings.
What life lessons did you learn in your twenties? Which do you wish you had learned?
Originally published on Brian Beholds 1/21/2016, revised 2018