Your 20s are the worst and best years of your life combined. You’re on your own, but lost. You’re told to live it up, but told to have it all together. Your twenties are full of unspoken struggles nobody talks about nearly enough.
Here’s what you should know in order to fight them with strength and purpose.
You Don’t Have to “Have It All Together”
Some people have different progress and direction in life. There are people just graduated and some are promoted. But remember, most people are sharing highlights and not the below-the-radar mess. You may think you are behind, but in fact, life is not a race.
Many in their 20s struggle with comparison. It drains your peace. Focus on your journey. You’re still building your foundation. One step at a time matters more than fake perfection.
Quarter-Life Crisis Is Real
One day, you’re bombarded with career choices, relationships, bills, and questions such as “Is this it?” It’s normal. It’s a quarter-life crisis, and not a sign that you’re failing. That only means you are thriving.
Talk to a friend, a mentor, or even a therapist to open up what you are going through. Processing what you think and feel can help you replenish your goals in life. Let your breakdown lead you to understanding, not destruction.
Money Handling Feels Intimidating
You spend ₱150 on milk tea one day. You worry about rent next. Managing your finances is challenging, but you have to learning how to handle it properly to secure your future.
Begin small. Monitor your expenses. Save part of your earnings, even 5%. Learn about loans, insurance, and investment. Do not fear learning about money; you will appreciate it someday.
Career Confusion Is Normal
You may detest your career. Or just not know what career is best for you. Okay. What you learn in college may not be what makes you happy down the road.
Try on roles. Freelance. Volunteer. Try on sites such as JILI, where gaming, content creation, or marketing possibilities may develop into interests you never knew you had.
Relationships Change And That’s Okay
You’ll outgrow people. Friends whom you assumed would be lifelong friends can be swept away. Love may still be there, but romantic relationships, too, can be lost. All these things happen as you’re growing up.
Learn how to take things as they are and not personally. Work at your own pace with people who are genuinely supporting you. Release those things that suck the life out of you.
Mental Health Matters
More 20-somethings suffer silently from anxiety, depression, and burnout. Some people keep on grinding without giving themselves proper sleep and rest. That is not healthy.
Stay awake. Write. Rest. If all of this is too much to handle, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Taking care of your mental health doesn’t make you weak; it makes you a smart one.
Wrapping Up
Your 20s are a time of building. You’re supposed to fail, get lost, and question yourself. The purpose isn’t to know all the answers, but to keep asking the right ones. Trust in your timing. Keep learning. Be gentle with yourself. And whenever you catch yourself considering that you’ll give up, just remember: you’re not alone.
