Feeling at a Crossroads in Your 20s? You’re Just Getting Started

Doomscrolling through Instagram, you see people your age launching startups, buying homes, getting married. Meanwhile, you’re still trying to figure out what you even like. It hits hard—like a reality check you didn’t ask for. 

But here’s the truth: you’re not behind. You’re just getting started. Your 20s aren’t for having it all figured out—they’re for figuring it out. 

Being “Behind” is a Hoax 

Let’s be candid: the idea of “being behind” is BS. Behind what, exactly? Some generalized checklist? A stranger’s reel on Instagram? 

There is no universal timeline. No deadline for success– You set your own pace. No rule that says you have to hit certain milestones by 25. Most of those expectations come from comparison– and comparison is a façade. 

No one has the same timeline. 

Your 20s can feel like chaos. You’re a young adult trying to make sense of it all—full of hope, pressure, and a million choices. 

But here’s the good news: just the fact that you’re thinking about your path means you’re already on it. So take a breath. This decade isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions. 

We love to imagine life following a linear path: graduate, get a job, find a partner, buy a house. But in reality, it doesn’t care about your 5-year plan. People who seem like they’re ahead now? Someone lands their dream job at 23… and burns out by 28, wondering what’s next. Another person feels completely lost until 30… then finds purpose, stability, and peace all at once. 

All that means is: everyone is on a different stretch of the road. 

What are your 20s really for? 

Your 20s are a stage to explore. Try new jobs. Move to new cities. Meet different people. Date. Quit. Start over. Repeat. The beauty is, you're allowed to experiment. 

You’ll mess up, You’ll be frustrated. You will change your mind. That’s the process. And the more you stumble, the clearer your path becomes. 

Use your 20s to embrace flaws and focus on learning and growth– not perfection. 

And you’re not behind, You’re building. You're adjusting to life, just like everyone else. 

Author: Nebula Islam

Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Haller, C. Psych, Clinical Psychologist