I'm 46. No elder yet but I've done some stuff that formed me in a good way.

Do shitty jobs for a while. And I say that with the most respect because I've done them all.

• call center
• cashier at a supermarket
• customer service
• waiter
• ...

It'll teach you to appreciate good jobs later in life.

Travel abroad and interact with people. Profound experiences will follow. You'll open up to other cultures and opinions.

Travel on foot or by bike and camp. You'll view our planet and nature in a different way.

Build routines. Everyday routines are obvious but try to embrace some more periodical routines like gathering with some friends around the solstices. I invite people around winter solstice every year without them knowing the occasion. Nothing big, just some simple food and drinks. No party, just getting together. Campfire at night is tradition. I try to invite new people to the group every year and nobody is obliged to come. Life can be busy as you get older.

Value experiences over possession but don't throw away your money. Life altering experiences don't have to cost much. You can travel nearby or on the cheap.

If you like to draw, follow some entry drawing classes. If you don't like to draw, follow some photography classes. Entry level stuff is fine. It'll teach you to be a better spectator. (Learning how to look at and interpret art teaches you the same skill)

Not sure I enjoyed my 20s, had more of an "it gets better" arc but I would say value your friends. It gets harder and harder to meet up and to make new friends, do the most you can to stay close to the ones you have now & your life will be better for it.

Working in customer service. Everyone should work either at retail, and/or in a restaurant as wait staff. Male or female. You will get treated like crap. The idea is that you won't later do the same to other retail/service workers.

At the very least, you should, if you ever intend to frequent such establishments, anyway.

Being in a service job that is your only source of income and wealth. Where you will end up hungry and homeless if you lose it.

I think there are two separate questions here.

1. Which experiences should not be missed? Those that help you grow. In no particular order: heartbreak, loss, defeat, love, friendship, challenge...
2. How to enjoy your 20s? Well I guess that somewhat depends on your funds, your preferences and your location.

What I'd recommend: Don't stick to what you know, you have the rest of your life for that. Try new experiences, keep an open mind, meet new people, visit different places, learn things. And chase your dreams before life has got you on your knees.

Learn a different language not in your native languages language family

Turning 50 next year, total eclipse was the neatest experience so far. I saw it in Indiana. It's impossible to describe or capture in photos or video, you must experience it in person. Absolutely worth traveling for if you're able.

Make friends, explore hobbies, be eager to learn

Read a book that is >100 years old.

Two months ago you typed like this: https://thelemmy.club/post/54902713

We all know you’re literate.

First, sober up and get control of yourself.

Then, do whatever you want. 20s are still young.

If you ever have the chance to go snowboarding in fresh powder snow on a sunny winter day, you should. I know, it's expensive, unnecessary, wasteful, difficult to arrange and perhaps even dangerous. It's still worth it if you can.

LSD

Labor. I don't mean this in a right-wing way, or an ableist way, I mean that those who can, need to. Capitalists and landlords work to remove themselves from the fundamental productive process, because ownership creates no value. Labor should not be a punishment, nor something enslaving us, but should instead be something we do because it benefits the good of all, and the systems of private ownership directly plunder the social product and alienate us from the products of our social labor.

Retail work

Travel alone and do some volunteer work.

A deep interpersonal relationship, one that finally shifts the focus from one's self-centeredness and hedonistic desires to caring about someone else, to prioritising the other. As sad as it is to say (because not everyone gets to it), I don't think you can be a proper mature adult without it, you'll just be a selfish, shallow child with no patience for the other. So, taking care of a gf/wife and taking care of your children obviously belong to this category, as well as being a devoted caregiver in general.

If you don't like travelling don't travel. I guess knowing requires to have travelled.

Just try new stuff you're curious about.

Your true nature