25 Lessons by 25
What I’m Learning About Music, Money & Meaning in My 20s
This isn’t a polished guide. It’s a raw, real-time journal of the 25 biggest lessons I’ve learned (and earned) while trying to build a life around music, content, and creativity.
About me
I*’m Viv. I make music, content, and systems for sanity. I just turned 25, and instead of pretending I have it all figured out, I decided to document the process.*
These are the lessons I wish someone gave me at 20. I’m still learning, still refining, still building. But if you’re navigating the same fog of figuring it out, this page is for you.
You signed up to access this space, so please keep it personal and private. This is just for us.
Introduce your brand
SECTION 1: MUSIC + CREATIVITY
Lesson 1: Release > Perfect
🎥 "I used to sit on songs for weeks, tweaking every detail. Now I release before I feel ready. That’s when the real feedback starts. Document, don’t over-polish."
Lesson 2: No one will believe in your work more than you
🎥 "Waiting for someone to co-sign your dream is a trap. You go first. Your belief sets the tone."
Lesson 3: You’re not lazy — you just need a system
🎥 "You’re not inconsistent. You’re under-structured. Once I built a simple content workflow, I stopped relying on motivation."
Lesson 4: Collaboration beats competition
🎥 "Some of my best growth came from collabs, not grind. Your network is your creative multiplier."
Lesson 5: Your life is your content
🎥 "You don’t need a niche. You need a narrative. Tell the truth and edit well."
SECTION 2: MONEY + INCOME
Lesson 6: Budgeting gives you freedom, not restriction
🎥 "Budgeting is creative control. Know your burn rate so your dream doesn’t die from stress."
Lesson 7: Income stacking > overnight success
🎥 "My income didn’t come from one big hit. It came from 3 mini-hustles stacked smart."
Lesson 8: Don’t chase "viral" — chase repeatable
🎥 "Virality is luck. Systems are leverage. I post 3x a week. One will land."
Lesson 9: Learn to sell without selling out
🎥 "Selling is serving. If you believe in your offer, marketing it is kindness."
Lesson 10: Creative work is emotional labor — price accordingly
🎥 "You’re not charging for your time. You’re charging for clarity, courage, and energy."
SECTION 3: FITNESS + ENERGY
Lesson 11: Discipline leaks into everything
🎥 "When I started lifting consistently, my content and mindset leveled up too."
Lesson 12: The gym is therapy with progress bars
🎥 "No therapist ever gave me a pump. But both saved my brain."
Lesson 13: Your body is the only asset you can’t outsource
🎥 "Your music needs you healthy. Your mind needs you rested."
Lesson 14: Small rituals > motivational sprints
🎥 "Brush teeth. Stretch. Write one line. Don’t wait for the lightning bolt."
Lesson 15: Rest is productive (but earned)
🎥 "Recovery is part of growth. Earn it by showing up first."
SECTION 4: MENTAL CLARITY
Lesson 16: Feeling lost is part of the map
🎥 "If you feel like you’re wandering, you’re learning the terrain. Keep going."
Lesson 17: You’re not behind — you’re just comparing without context
🎥 "You’re not late. You’re just not on their algorithm."
Lesson 18: The inner critic is loudest before the breakthrough
🎥 "That voice gets mean when you’re about to level up. Take it as a sign."
Lesson 19: Learn to hold tension
🎥 "The unknown is uncomfortable. But all growth lives there."
Lesson 20: Don’t build alone — you’ll drown in your own thoughts
🎥 "Talk it out. Post the draft. Join the room. Community clears confusion."
SECTION 5: GROWTH + CONTENT
Lesson 21: Create first, clarify later
🎥 "You don’t find your voice. You use it until it sharpens."
Lesson 22: Be searchable or be scrollable (ideally both)
🎥 "Either show up when they need you, or catch them when they scroll."
Lesson 23: Consistency compounds
🎥 "One piece of content might not change your life. 100 will."
Lesson 24: Treat yourself like the product — iterate openly
🎥 "You’re a WIP. So is your content. Launch anyway."
Lesson 25: Share what you needed a year ago
🎥 "That version of you still needs help. Talk to them."
BONUS SECTION: MY CREATOR STACK
Gear:
Mic: [your mic name]
DAW: [your DAW/tool]
Camera: [your phone or camera]
Tools:
Notion for systems + tracking
Google Sheets for budgeting
Spotify playlists to set the vibe
Rec Reads/Pods:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Deep Work by Cal Newport
The Diary of a CEO (Podcast)
CALL TO ACTION: JOIN THE COMMUNITY
Want to build your own system while we figure it out together?
Join the Draft Mode Discord — it’s free, and it’s where this all continues.
[Join the Discord]
FOOTER LINE: This page is part of the Vivthings Creator Project. Built publicly. Shared honestly.