Beware: The biggest mistakes you can make in your late 20s

But amid cries of frustration at being told (again) that they actually could afford a flat in London if only they tried hard enough, the twenty-somethings of today can still be found desperately seeking tips for how to succeed.

Looking for advice beyond ‘put down that iPhone’? These Quora users have shared what they think are the biggest mistake you can make in your 20s.

Not spending enough time with your parents

“We have always called our dad whenever we needed advice. We have always called our mum whenever we needed someone to empathize. None of us can imagine a day when we can no longer pick up the phone and do that.

“We are so busy growing up we often forget our parents are also growing old.”

Trying too hard to fall in love

“I see many people around me completely wasting their time, energy and resources in trying to construct that fairy-tale love story that they read about in novels or watch in movies.

“Many times they succeed in attracting an attractive person and in a few cases some of them turn out to be long lasting and beautiful relationships. But more often than not, the initial physical infatuation wanes after the initial super-romantic touchy period.”

Wasting time

“This is the age where we have maximum potential and can take risks. Being idle or wasting time on unnecessary things is the worst thing that we can do to ourselves. Time is the only thing that cannot be regained.

“We tend to overlook this aspect, but I’m sure that we will regret it someday and then nothing can be done. Hence, proper utilisation of time is essential.”

Saying yes to everything

“We feel like taking up every opportunity that comes our way is a good decision, but it’s not.

“Most people say yes to everything because they want to please everyone, and then they are trapped. They feel resentful and used because they are bound to do things which they don’t want to.”

Settling for less than you deserve

“It’s not too late to start a new relationship, to have children, to change the course of your education, to start exercising, etc.

“Settling is a very unpleasant experience, with long term repercussions. It may seem like the right idea at the moment, but the results are devastating.

“Learn how to either be unhappy or how to complain, because you’ll be doing one or both from now on.”

-Independent