“You’re 20s are when you put in all your work.”

I’ve been given this advice a few times since graduating, especially as I hunt for jobs and ways to manage my student loans. The problem with working away your 20s though, they go fast and before you realize it you’re 40 and still haven’t done anything.

The theory is, if you work hard in your 20s, then you get to enjoy your 30s and 40s, settle down, have a family. The thing is though, none of that is guaranteed.

Study abroad and school sponsored trips are great, but why should your traveling days be limited to your time as a student? Yeah, those European trips are probably behind you until you’ve got the money to drop, but you can still take a road trip, or explore what your state has to offer.

Consider that many graduates are on at least a 10-year payment plan for their loans. If you waited until you paid those off, you’d be 33 or 34 before you ever started seeing the world. On top of that, if you went to grad school or pursued a doctorate, you’ll be even older before you look away from those awful monthly payments.

If you went to college, that’s at least 16 years of your life spent in school, so don’t you think your 20s are an even better time to head out? Why would you wait any longer?

Paige and I have been lucky to travel like we have, but the key is to make the most of the connections you have. In North Carolina, California, New York, we have family all over the country, and you probably do too. Instead of waiting for a boring family reunion, see if you can stay with family while you explore a new place.

We’ll get a taste of Japan on our honeymoon, but the US still has so much to offer, we’re ready to see it. Whether it’s with Chicly USA, or we just pack up and head out one day, Paige and I are going to live in our 20s, not just watch them slip by.

Of course, you have to figure out what is best for you, but at least do it. You control where your life goes, so go have an adventure.

Images courtesy of Paige Hogan