My 20s were an undeniably self-indulgent time. I spent the entire decade blithely indulging my wants and desires. I traveled tirelessly, ate out at overpriced, blaringly-loud restaurants and spent way too much money on handbags.
Yet despite the fact that I often did what I wanted, I didn't know what I needed. For example, some of those dinners out were spent in an anxiety-filled funk. I couldn't put my finger on what I needed, but it certainly was not another $20 gimlet.
Self-awareness has come with age, and it has transformed my life for the better. Self-awareness has helped me to identify what my needs are. It has also taught me that my needs are very, very different from my wants and desires. The former are essential and non-negotiable; the latter are ephemeral and superficial.
For example, in my 20s, I wanted new clothes constantly — an expensive, self-indulgent, and stressful habit. In my 30s, I've refocused that energy on nurturing my needs — a loving marriage, strong friendships, a healthy lifestyle, and hobbies like reading and writing.
Having attained greater self-awareness has made me more confident, more relaxed, and generally more sympathetic toward myself and others. It has also made my 30s a heck of lot more fun than my 20s — even without those gimlet-filled dinners, which still happen occasionally.