Nood

Rolling Into 2024 *Like*
Get in *Noodies*, we’re going adulting. Behind us are the years that were spent stumbling down the hallways of life — this year we’re taking charge! If you’re in your mid to late 20s or early 30s, you know exactly where this is going (and it’s not back in time). The moment is here, and it’s time to put on the metaphorical big girl panties we’ve been eternally dreading and find the delight in ‘adulting.’
Ahead, we’re sharing our adulting secrets most women spend *years* figuring out in one easy, visually pleasing place. Welcome to the *official* adulting 101 cheat sheet you can bookmark now and reference again and again. So, take your seats *gals* —
*Schools in session.*

Take charge of your financial future

It’s no surprise that our first adulting tip is all about personal finance. I know—planning for your financial future isn’t as fun as putting together your vision board, but it’s just as (if not more) important.

Trust me (and the experts), as a woman in your late 20s to mid 30s, now is the time to form those good financial habits and prioritize long-term fiscal planning. According to CNBC, 56% of young women are likely to push financial responsibilities onto their partners. Our 2024 resolution? Regain that i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-c-e by taking your money into your own hands.

Learn more about investing, brush up on that retirement plan, finally build that emergency fund you’ve been putting off, and (of course) seek professional advice to guide you along the way. Ideally, with a wealth management team like ELLEVEST that’s designed for women by women who understand your unique needs. Your future self will thank you.

family and parenthood (if THATS YOUR THING)

If your unique life plans involve raising a family, don’t forget to include this in your financial big picture. Work with ELLEVESTor your preferred financial team to explore options and make a game plan, so you're more than prepared by the time you’re ready for this chapter. If you’re deeper into the family planning process, now is also the perfect time to discuss plans with your partner, explore fertility preservation options (if necessary), scope out childcare, etc.

Negotiate your worth

“You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself.” (Yes, turning to Elle Woods for confidence-boosting career advice is what adulting is all about.)

What Legally Blonde teaches us about the professional world and beyond is that advocating for yourself is how you reach your goals, no matter how high they are. This is especially true for women, where workplace disparities mean you have to confidently advocate for yourself to not fall behind your male counterparts. Private wealth advisor Sherry Paul advises the first thing women in their 20s do is ask for a raise. Yep! More money, less problems. Breaking free of the self-doubt scaries right out the bat helps counteract income disparities and missed opportunities and teaches you to advocate for your worth now and forever.

If you’re taking notes like yes, this is me but need a lil push. One-on-one career coaching with BetterUp is the ultimate confidence booster for honing those negotiation skills and learning to position yourself for those promotions and raises you so deserve.

Balance career and personal life

Adulting is all about balance or trying to find balance, that is. (Sending extra love to all our Libras.) In the midst of busy personal lives and checking off those career aspirations, you need time to just ~breathe~ and focus on your overall well-being.

Enter therapy. I like to think of therapy as the ultimate form of self-care that can literally benefit any aspect of your life. It’s adulting to a tee and the key to inner peace, so naturally, it’s a task many of us put off. But having that dedicated person to keep your mind on track shifts your mental and emotional wellness for the better and nourishes your inner child so you can take better care of the adult you.

And to be honest, there’s no excuse not to do it. Therapy is so affordable these days (highly recommend Online Therapy), you can do it virtually with Talk Space, or even text your therapist with Calmerry.

Prioritize your health and well-being

Navigating life in my early 20s was SOOO different than navigating life at 30. I’ve officially entered my quiet girl era, where self-care is at the tippy top of my priority list, and I’m finding joy in nourishing my body and offsetting the effects of years of self-neglect. Adulting is the post-party phase where you’re focusing on things that make you happy, like long morning walks with your dog, evening baths over midnight martinis, and spotlighting inner work over exterior validations.
Health is wealth here. So make those regular check-ups, practice mindfulness, maintain that balanced diet, and incorporate exercise into your routine in whatever ways feel good. (Alo Moves is my fave for mindful movement, meditations, and feel-good affirmations.)

Invest in meaningful relationships

Adulting doesn’t have to be a snooze fest. It can actually be the most socially fulfilling time of your life if you foster supportive and empowering relationships. So, while investing your coin in those high-dividend stocks, invest your time in social connections that leave you feeling inspired and understood, rather than spiritually and emotionally depleted.

The best thing you can do to ace the adulting test is cultivate deep connections—aka friends that uplift you, mentors that guide your growth, and romantic relationships built on mutual respect and shared values. Research shows that satisfying relationships lead to longer, healthier lives—a chic way of saying social connections are a fabulous return on investment.

Networking strategically

OK. So you’ve put in the hard work at the yoga studio, go to therapy, are on top of your finances, and make regular dinner plans with friends. Now’s the time to take all those skills and connections to the next level. Networking is essential for career growth and expanding opportunities. For one, it’s how you build a strong network of like-minded people who can provide the support, mentorship, and potential career connections to help you uplevel.

So take that leap of faith, babe! Buy that ticket to the mega-conference or that celeb-spotted award show. Or maybe you’ve had your soul set on being in the frow at a fashion week show. Whatever it is, the sky’s the limit. Be willing to take risks to make connections—I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t.

Invest in personal development

If you’re going to invest in anything—invest in yourself because that’s where you’ll see the biggest paybacks. Continuous learning and personal growth are integral to adulting, and there are endless ways to expand. You can attend workshops and conferences or take an online course that aligns with your interests and manifestations. You may want to develop new skills, stay updated with industry trends, seek opportunities for career progression—or all of the above. The self-growth journey never ends, and that’s the beauty of it. The most important thing is to remember that life is an experience meant to be lived. Seeking out joy and investing in yourself is all part of it, as is making mistakes, experiencing heartbreak, and (at times) feeling like you’re stumbling down the hallways of life. That’s what life is all about; it’s not always graceful, but the journey is wild and worth it.

Noodies, following these tips will help you succeed in whatever you want to do, but don’t be afraid to let yourself live fully and freely — mistakes and all. XO