A successful decade in review – failure and achievements in my 20s?
So I just turned 30 and I thought it would be a good chance to review my 20s. So here goes!
20 – still a teen
At 20 I was at university in my 2nd year going into my 3rd year. I was still young, enjoying freedom and partying often. Too much partying meant I did not study enough and had to resit an exam. I did however start playing Kabaddi and I was not the best but good enough to play in the second team. There isn’t too much to say about 20 other than I was still not yet mature.
21 – maturing
This is where I began to assume responsibility and routine as I studied harder and I was more organised. I also took up two committee roles as secretary for Imperial College Kabaddi Club and Sports Officer for Imperial College Hindu Society. This made me more busy but I could pretty much handle these roles. I was also maturing in a social setting, interacting with more people and spending more time with friends including going on my first trip abroad with my friends to Italy. Towards the later part of 21 I began to work on my physical development, going gym, gaining muscle and hence gaining weight. I had learnt discipline – regular routine, regular studying and regular gym.
22 – enjoying to the full
I turned 22 in my final year at university, my fourth year. It came to me that taking on too much meant I would be over working myself, going beyond my capacity. 22 was the year I enjoyed myself to the full but still maintained discipline in terms of study and gym. I had won a few Kabaddi tournaments, which included overcoming injury. I completed my degree and went on yet another holiday with my friends to Thailand and Cambodia.
23 – reckless adulting
I took the enjoyment aspect a little too far sometimes, and part of that was going on my first solo trip aboard to India. But this was an amazing trip which I always look back on proudly and strongly recommend people do. I was able to go beyond my comfort zone and I picked up Muay Thai. Once I finished my travels I secured my first job, getting an offer after interviewing with 3 companies. I moved out again, first to Clapham and then to Wimbledon. The 9-5 was a struggle especially catching the train and I was spending almost as quickly as I earned. I went on to purchase a car on lease. I was also exploring dating apps and partying with my friends / work colleagues. I went on my second solo trip to India which was really fun but not as fun or rewarding as the first solo trip.
24 – mini crisis
The struggle to save and too much partying took it’s toll. I was not feeling well mentally and I decided to quit my job. I didn’t know what was next for me. I had saved a little amount so I went on another solo trip to Nepal where I embarked on a trekking adventure in the Himalayan Mountains. This was an amazing trip full of beautiful scenery. I suffered from altitude sickness but was able to battle through this, reminiscent of overcoming my Kabaddi injury a couple of years ago. When I came back from Nepal I had ran out of cash and was in a mini crisis. My relationship with my family was fractious as I had moved back in with my parents. Perhaps the lowest part of my 20s.
25 – new beginnings
I began 25 interviewing at many places. With a helping hand I managed to turn myself around and secure my second job just before COVID lockdown. Despite the hardship COVID brought, this was a blessing in disguise for me as I could save almost everything I earned as I still lived with my parents. I paid all my dues and even paid off the car I got on lease. This is also where my investment journey began and I opened a stocks and shares ISA. I signed up to become a member of the Institute and Faculty Of Actuaries in order to become an actuary and started studying for exams.
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26 – becoming an adult
I was studying and working hard, managing to pass my first two actuary exams. After the second lockdown I saved enough where I felt comfortable enough to move out. I stayed with my friend and we had fun spending time together. I was able to get into my own routine and I started gym again. I didn’t go out as much due to COVID and I was saving more often than not. 26 was a rather uneventful year but slowly laying the foundations for the future.
27 – financially sound
I passed three more actuarial exams and my pay was rapidly increasing. I matured in the workplace and was able to bring value to the company I was working at. I started dating again and dressing smart. Gym was progressing and I got to one of my fittest states. Due to my improving financial situation I was able to move into my own one bed flat, still renting but able to afford the rent. I still spent frugally and was not going out so often. This was also the period where I met my future partner and we had started dating. I was heavily involved in Kabaddi, coaching the England team in Bangladesh, then subsequently becoming president of the England Kabaddi Union, EKU.
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28 – professional prowess
I passed another three actuarial exams and I was becoming relatively well off. I was also exploring freelancing outside of my usual 9-5 job, setting up my own company. I had also made the difficult decision of moving companies, handing in my resignation letter for the second time in career. My relationship was progressing well and my partner and I had already gone on two holidays together. My EKU presidency was going well and we made a lot of progress. I was now able to spin several plates at the same time, in other words, I had learnt how to “get things done” and prioritise well.
29 – constant successes
This was the year I moved flats and moved in with my partner. I also got engaged which I was successful in organising in Spain. Something that was not hard for me at all but may have been had it happened a few years ago. EKU progressed even further and we were able to take a contingent of 20 to the European Beach Kabaddi Championships with England Men’s and England Women’s both coming second. I also passed four actuarial exams which I was very happy about, cantering through the exams at pace. I settled into my new company and began exploring ways to bring more value to the new company.
What lies in store for the next 10 years?
As you can tell my 20s have been a journey from maturing to adulting and from crisis to success. I have missed out smaller points but the main events are here and the summary is mostly accurate. I am excited to see what my 30s bring in my personal and professional life. I think proactiveness and resilience will be the words I most use in my early 30s.
I am planning to start a new series which will be called Sanjay Unfiltered where I give my own personal opinions on topical issues but this is a low priority for me.
