40 Good Habits to Start in Your 20s

Your 20s are the perfect time to reflect on and redirect your daily attention and actions. Since your 20s are such foundational and transformational years, the habits you start in your 20s can stick with you for the rest of your life.

In your 20s, you are likely starting to take on more and more of the “real world”. This means finances, work, homes, relationships, family, and more! It can all feel like a lot!

That is why it is so important to develop a solid list of good habits to start in your 20s that will help carry you through the madness!

Not only are good habits in your 20s going to help you take on all of the new experiences coming your way, but developing these habits now can also help you be successful through the rest of your life!

40 Good Habits to Start in Your 20s

1. Always have a long-term goal you are working towards

By always having a bigger, long-term goal in mind, you can remain motivated and inspired to do the day-to-day things. Setting big goals may feel intimidating, but ultimately it is something that will keep you successful.

2. Make a habit of planning

I am a HUGE advocate for planners and staying organized with a plan. Monthly, weekly, and daily planning is how I stay on track. Planners allow you to keep track of important dates, responsibilities, and even time-block your days to be WAY more productive. I’d be LOST without my planner. (Check out my FREE planning printables if you are looking to start today!)

3. Get on an exercise routine

Exercise doesn’t have to be super structured or intense. You don’t need a gym membership or to attend fancy classes. Sometimes just a walk outside or a quick at-home workout is the best movement of all. The best thing about exercise is that it promotes productivity and improves mental clarity and mental health. Getting in the habit of moving your body is such an important good habit to start in your 20s. The benefits to your psychical health, mental health, and overall well-being are insane!

4. Learn something new every day

Whether it be a new word, a YouTube tutorial, or even just a quick life hack you found on Facebook, make it a habit to always be learning. Getting comfortable with new things, new information, and new actions helps promote growth. This is such a good habit to start in your 20s… just think of all the new things you will learn in your life if you make this a habit now!

5. Get comfortable asking questions

This goes hand-in-hand with learning something new every day. Getting comfortable with NOT knowing things is actually so essential to your growth. For so long, I was afraid to say the words “I don’t know”. I thought it made me look dumb. But I now know that not knowing is natural and can actually be the best way to learn. Ask questions, listen, learn, and grow! This is a great mindset shift and habit to adopt in your 20s.

6. Make frequent medical check-ups

It is SO important to stay on top of your physical health. I know some people who refuse to go to the doctor and then end up with undiagnosed conditions or declining health. Be proactive in your health care! Take care of yourself as much as possible at home and stay on top of your routine check-ups.

A healthy life is a happy life!

7. Drink enough water

I’m sure you’ve heard this a million times… it’s just a fact: you need to drink your water! This is a good habit to start in your 20s and carry with you through your entire life.

8. Make the most out of your time

Time-wasting is such a bad habit to get into… but I know we have all been guilty of it.

This is one of the most important good habits to start in your 20s because, if you don’t, your poor time-management habits can quickly spiral into a lack of productivity. You may be wasting time in ways that you don’t even realize! Check out my post about all the hidden ways you may be wasting time every single day so you can be sure you are breaking this habit once and for all!

9. Stay informed on the news

Now, there is a balance that should be achieved here. Sometimes the news can be really dark and, if you consume it too much, it can hinder your overall happiness.

However, remaining informed is a good habit to start in your 20s. You should know what is going on in the world. An educated mind is a mind that can evoke change and betterment. Be that mind!

10. Change your sheets often

This doesn’t even need an explanation. Don’t be lazy and gross. 😉

11. Do your laundry often

Again, doesn’t need much of an explanation. It can be really easy to postpone laundry and let it pile up… but don’t make a habit of that! Instead, form the good habit in your 20s of just taking care of your laundry when it needs to be done!

12. Plan your grocery lists in advance 

Going to the grocery store with a plan and a list is a good habit to start for so many reasons. You are much less likely to reach for unhealthy foods, excess food, and spend way too much money if you go in with a list in your hand. Since you are likely doing your own grocery shopping now, this is one of the most important good habits to start in your 20s. This will save you time, money, and be better for your health!

13. Save extra money where you can

There are so many simple swaps you can make to save money every single day. Whether it be cutting back on excess shopping or just transitioning into making your Starbucks coffee at home, these little everyday swaps are a great habit to start in your 20s… the money will add up quickly!

14. Make extra money when you can

To add to the previous one, in addition to saving money, you can develop good habits in your 20s that actually MAKE you extra money too. There are TONS of opportunities for a quick side hustle to add some extra income into your everyday life.

15. Stop complaining 

Did you know that studies have found the stress of complaining actually has lasting negative effects on your brain? It literally damages your neurons and hinders your ability to create new neurons. Keep your neurons safe and your mind happy by getting into the good habit of not complaining.

16. Set a goal every day

This can be as big or as small as you want. Setting a daily goal helps keep you motivated and inspired. (Plus it feels pretty great when you accomplish that goal!)

17. Show up early

No one likes the person that is late for everything. Trust me, that used to be me. Don’t be that person.

Instead, build the good habit in your 20s of showing up to things EARLY. The people you are meeting will appreciate it.

18. Make at least one person smile every day 

Make it a habit to make at least one person smile every single day. Compliment someone. Buy a coffee for the person behind you. Spread positivity.

If you start this good habit in your 20s, just think of all the happiness you will be responsible for in your lifetime.

That’s pretty amazing.

19. Set a consistent morning routine…

20. … and night routine 

Having a solid morning and night routine not only keeps things consistent for you and your mind, but it also can boost your productivity like CRAZY.

21. Get outside more

This is a good habit to start for your mental health… simple as that.

22. Challenge your limiting beliefs 

Our minds like to tell us all the things we “can’t” do and the reasons we’re “not good enough”.

Shift that thinking by adopting the good habit in your 20s of challenging those thoughts, excuses, and limiting beliefs. We don’t need that negativity. Don’t let your brain bully you.

23. Always have a “look-forward-to”

Having something that excites you and you look forward to is a great way to keep your motivation high and your spirit up.

24. Limit your social media time 

Social media in excess can be really harmful to your mental health. Not to mention, it’s a total productivity killer. Start the good habit in your 20s of evaluating and modifying your social media habits when necessary.

25. Let go of people that make you feel bad

If you have friends, acquaintances, or even family members that continually bring you down and make you feel bad, set the habit now that it is okay to let those relationships go. You will find new people that lift you up. This leads me to the next good habit to start in your 20s…

26. Meet new people

New people, new experiences, new memories, new learning, GROWTH… you can’t go wrong.

27. Go to therapy

Oftentimes people think you only go to therapy when something is “wrong”. That isn’t true. Going to therapy is one of the most helpful good habits to start in your 20s. Let’s normalize going to therapy to just take care of ourselves… it doesn’t mean you are “broken” or anything is “wrong” with you. It is simply an act of caring for yourself.

28. Set a cleaning schedule

I think we can all agree that deep cleaning isn’t the most fun thing in the world… but it is necessary. Making it a habit in your 20s to set and follow a cleaning schedule can help keep you on track with these not-so-fun responsibilities.

29. Travel whenever you can

Make it a good habit to say “YES!” to traveling. New experiences, baby!

30. Meal Plan

Planning meals can be a good habit to start in your 20s for a few reasons. It takes the dinner stress off, you are more likely to eat nourishing foods (no skipping meals!), and you can save on groceries (no more waste!).

You can grab my FREE meal planners here!

31. Get enough sleep 

Getting enough sleep is vital for your health and happiness, which leads me into my next point on this list of good habits to start in your 20s…

32. Set a bedtime routine

No screens, a cup of tea, and some light journaling is my current favorite bedtime routine. Find one that works best for you.

33. Read

READ, READ, READ! Learn, grow, get lost in a book. Reading often is such a good habit to form in your 20s.

Here are Some of My Current Favorite Books: 

34. Stop the negative self-talk

Just stop it. It helps no one.

35. Practice positive affirmations 

Replace negative self-talk with some positive affirmations. “I am enough”, “I am worthy”, “I am loved”, are just a few examples of the many positive affirmations you could adopt while forming this good habit in your 20s.

36. Practice Gratitude 

You can also replace negative thoughts with thoughts of gratitude. Making gratitude a daily habit in your 20s will help lead you to a happier, more fulfilled life.

37. Journal

One of my favorite places to practice gratitude is in my 5-minute gratitude journal.

This journal literally takes less than 5 minutes and sets me up with such an amazing mindset. I have adopted this into my morning routine habits in my 20s.

I also love to journal anything that’s on my mind. Lately, I’ve been focusing on self-discovery and following these self-discovery journal prompts to learn more about myself!

No matter what you prefer, journaling, in general, is such a good habit to start in your 20s.

38. Take good care of your skin…

39. … and your hair 

Your skin and hair are two areas that really deserve some TLC. Forming good habits in your 20s around haircare and skincare will set you up for a lifetime of success (and beautiful, healthy hair and skin!).

Dermatologists recommend being preventative in caring for aging skin, meaning that it is better to start young than try to “undo” the damage later. That is why your 20s is a perfect time to develop good skin and hair care habits.

40. Love and respect your body 

Learning to love your body can be really difficult if you struggle with body image. However, setting up good habits in your 20s regarding how you speak to yourself can help you achieve your goal of self-love and body acceptance.

I won’t go too much into this here since I have an entire post on how to feel more confident, but learning to love yourself early in life is SO essential. It may feel difficult at times, but it is more than worth it.

41. Practice a hobby

Life tip: find a hobby that makes you feel like a little kid again. Then make it a habit in your 20s.

This pure, genuine blissfulness makes life so beautiful.

42. Wake up early

I am always absolutely astonished by how much more I accomplish when I wake up early. There’s nothing better than looking at the clock after checking off all your to-dos and it is only like 10 am! Ah!

Waking up early is a good habit to start in your 20s as it will help you be more productive and get you in a really solid routine.

43. Cook at home 

Cooking at home is such a great habit to adopt in your 20s. Not only will it save you money, but at-home is often healthier, tastes better, and is just plain fun!

I absolutely love to be in the kitchen. If you make it a habit to cook at home, I’m willing to bet you’ll develop a love for it too! Exploring new techniques and testing new flavors is the BEST! (Hey, maybe cooking can be your hobby from habit #41 😉 ).

{RELATED POST: 180+ Dinner Ideas + FREE Printable Booklet}

44. Be vulnerable 

This is a big one. Learning how to be vulnerable and open takes a lot of practice. That is why it is so helpful to add this to your habits to start in your 20s.

Vulnerability and openness to express emotion are what foster genuine connections and strong relationships. Make it a habit to be vulnerable, authentic, and emotional.

45. Keep an organized workspace

Whether this is your at-home office, your desk at work, or anything else, keeping the space around you neat and tidy while you work will help you be way more productive. Make it a habit to tidy up daily and keep your space nice and neat.

46. Create a healthy relationship with food and exercise

This is something that I really am focusing on making a habit in my 20s. For so long, I struggled with food, exercise, and body image. These negative thoughts were so harmful to me and my mental and physical health. Do the work now and make it a habit to nourish your body with what it wants and move intuitively.

Balance is key.

47. Prepare for the next day the night before

This is a game-changing habit to start in your 20s. Once I started doing this, my mornings got a million times easier… seriously! Just a few small nighttime habits make a HUGE difference in the morning.

48. Give yourself breaks

No one thrives off of being “go-go-go” all the time. It is so important to give yourself downtime to do things you enjoy. Take a break from work and go to dinner with your friends. Shut off your phone and binge-watch TV. Again, this is all about balance.

49. Practice self-care often

This is self-explanatory. Caring for yourself is a must-have good habit to start in your 20s.

{RELATED POST: 30-Day Self-Care Challenge}

Last but not least, the best of all the good habits to start in your 20s for last… 

40. LOVE YOURSELF 

Life is WAY too short to spend it at war with yourself. Working on self-love daily is a good habit to start in your 20s. Work on loving your mind, loving who you are, loving your personality, loving your body, loving YOU!

You are worthy of all the love… so give it to yourself! 

There you have 40 good habits to start in your 20s!

Pin This Post!

Your 20s are the perfect time to start building good habits and routines. The habits you adopt in your 20s will likely stick with you for life… so you better make them good ones! 😉

More Posts I Think You’ll LOVE

Books to Read if You’re Single in Your 20s

Ultimate Bucket List for Your 20s

21 Ways to Pursue Personal Growth in Your 20s

Happy Habit-Building!

XOXO,

Del