Navigating the Twenties: Q&A with Nina van Graan

In the swirling sea of one's twenties, where each wave brings forth new challenges and opportunities, there emerge individuals who stand out as beacons of inspiration, leading the way through uncharted waters. Today, we have the distinct honour of introducing you to one such luminary: the remarkable Nina van Graan . Hailing from the vibrant landscapes of South Africa and now making her mark in the bustling metropolis of London, Nina's journey through her twenties has been nothing short of extraordinary. Today, she stands as a beacon of success, thriving in her role as a manager in transactions tax advisory in one of London's esteemed Big Four accounting firms.

As Nina enters the penultimate year of her twenties, she graciously imparts her wisdom to young professionals and budding entrepreneurs. Her advice to anchor oneself with three unwavering values resonates as a guiding light in the tumultuous sea of decisions that define this pivotal decade. Through her own experiences, Nina reminds us that these values are not just words, but steadfast pillars that shape our choices, both personally and professionally.

Yet, Nina's journey has not been without its trials. The monumental decision to leave the comfort of a beloved job in South Africa for the uncharted territory of London was a defining moment, marking her resilience and fortitude in the face of uncertainty. It is in overcoming such challenges that Nina finds her greatest triumphs, a testament to the indomitable spirit that courses through her veins.

In matters of the heart, Nina's reflections on romantic relationships in her twenties are a tapestry of self-discovery and growth. Each connection, whether fleeting or enduring, has been a crucible of lessons, revealing both her own strengths and areas for improvement. It is through these experiences that Nina cherishes the profound value of a partner who uplifts and supports her in her journey.

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Nina, and I am a proudly South African tax advisor living and working in London for the past two years. I am currently in my penultimate year of being “in my twenties”, and honestly this past decade has been filled with the greatest adventures, the biggest heartbreaks, an abundance of love, lifelong bonds of friendships, losses, gains and so much more. Rewinding to where it all began: I was born in Gauteng into a hardworking middle class family. Both my parents were public school teachers, and I can hands-down attribute any success I have made of myself to them. I was schooled in Pretoria and later obtained a BCom Law undergraduate degree and postgrad honours in Taxation at the University of Pretoria. Here I also met my husband who is the love of my life and my biggest supporter. Very few people know that ahead of these studies I spent a year at Rhodes University testing the waters of journalism. I share this with you to highlight how one’s plans after school can take a 180-degree turn into something completely different. Fast forward to today, I am at my second Big Four accounting firm corporate job and have recently been promoted to being a manager in transactions tax advisory in London.

What is your advice to young professionals/entrepreneurs in their twenties?

Throughout your twenties you will be faced with many challenges associated with growing up, paths to pick and life-changing decisions to make. A life mentor once told me, “Have three values that define who you are” – never stray from these values be it in your personal or professional life. These values can be anything from integrity to kindness. It sounds so simple, but the truth is when I find myself in an area of uncertainty I revert back to these values and see which choice aligns to them. My advice to young professionals is to establish values you want to live your life around and stick to them. These will almost certainly come in handy when you are faced with any challenge.

What was the hardest challenge you encountered in your twenties?

There have been so many! Ebbs and flows are part of life as we all know but in all honestly the biggest challenge I have faced was deciding to either continue in a secure job in South Africa (which I absolutely loved) or packing up, leaving everything I was familiar with and taking an opportunity overseas in a wildly unknown area I had never even visited, in a job in which I had very little experience. I could write an entire book about the expectations we had moving versus the hard-hitting reality. However, despite this being the hardest challenge I have encountered to date, overcoming the challenges associated with such a massive move has also been my biggest achievement.

How have you navigated romantic relationships in this phase whether dating, long term partners or being married?

Every relationship I have been in has taught me something I didn’t know about myself and sometimes areas on myself I needed serious work on. Navigating romance in my twenties, personally meant dating, and going through heartbreak to realise what I needed in a partner and what I needed to change in myself. I know people who have dated the same person from high school, got married, had kids and are in loving successful marriages. Other people are serial daters until they find ‘the one’ and finally settle down. Other highly successful individuals have never been in any serious relationship and that works for them. One thing is for sure, having a partner who motivates me and supports me is an invaluable part of my life and something I am forever grateful for.    

What’s the one thing you wish people had told you about being in your twenties?

I wish someone had told me not to take everything so seriously so soon. Your twenties should be the years of exploring, making mistakes, taking risks personally and professionally. It’s fine to deviate from the cookie-cutter mould of what it means to be successful from a societal point of view. My advice to anyone reading this is that it really is okay not to have a defined plan, or to have one that constantly changes. I cannot express in words how many times I have re-written my short- and long-term goals over the past few years, these change all the time. Often, we are so hard on ourselves in terms of what society expects of us at a certain age, or goals we need to reach as soon as we step out of school. Constantly grasping for the next big thing and making plans to climb a corporate ladder or invest in that side hustle. I think sometimes we miss that we are in the best years of our lives and taking a moment to enjoy exactly where we are is invaluable. It’s a balancing act I am still trying to master – being ambitious but also being in the now and enjoying how far I’ve come.

Navigating the Twenties

Written by: Nina van Graan

Edited by: Emma Reinecke

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