Navigating your twenties is a mixed feeling. It’s a strange in-between where you’re no longer a teenager, but also not a confident “I’ve figured it all out” adult.
I stepped into my 30s last August, and that gave me a moment to look back into the decade that has shaped so much of who I am today. Moments of triumph, stretches of uncertainty, the sting of failure, and the joy of unexpected discoveries.
And while I know everyone’s journey through their twenties is unique, there are certain lessons that feel almost universal. Things I wish someone had told me when I stepped into my 20s. These reminders that would have offered clarity, comfort, or even just a bit of reassurance when I needed it most.
So, this is me sharing that wisdom with you—not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone who’s been through the chaos and doing alright, even if not the best.
If you’re in the thick of your twenties, trying to navigate the ups and downs of this transformative decade, I hope this will serve as a small guide, a friend’s voice to remind you that you’re not alone—and that it’s okay to not have all the answers right now.
7 Life Lessons to Guide You in Your Twenties
1. Be open to learning and unlearning
One of the most powerful lessons I learned in my twenties was the importance of being open to new ideas and letting go of old ones. And that often means confronting the social conditioning and beliefs that have quietly shaped you over the years.
We grow up absorbing so many expectations—about success, relationships, identity, society, and what it means to live a “good” life. But as you are navigating your twenties, you realize that some of these inherited ideas don’t align with who you are or who you want to become.
For me, studying Sociology played a huge role in this process. It gave me a lens to question the world around me and helped me unlearn so many stereotypes and assumptions I had grown up believing. It’s freeing to understand that not everything is about personal failure or success—larger forces, like systemic inequality or social expectations, shape our experiences too. This knowledge not only gave me clarity but also a sense of compassion for myself and others.
Whether you have a sociological lens to guide you or not, allow yourself to learn and unlearn in your twenties.
2. Make an effort to Know Yourself Better in Your Twenties
If there’s one thing I wish I had prioritized earlier in my twenties, it’s truly getting to know myself.
Your twenties are a rare window of time when you’re still figuring things out, experimenting, and evolving, and it’s the perfect decade to start asking yourself the deeper questions: Who am I? What do I actually want? What do I value?
Because, the better you know yourself, the more intentional your decisions will be, whether it’s about your career, relationships, or the kind of life you want to build.
Here are some small but meaningful ways you can start to know yourself better:
- Journal regularly.
- Spend time alone. Go on a solo walk, have a solo coffee date, or even travel alone—it’s a chance to reconnect with yourself.
- Ask yourself tough questions. What brings you joy? What are your values? What fears are holding you back? These aren’t easy questions, but exploring them is a step toward self-discovery.
- Pay attention to what energizes you.
- Explore your interests. Take a class, try a new hobby, or read books on topics you’re curious about.
Your twenties are a great time to explore and see what resonates with you.
Here are Questions to Help You Know Yourself Better.
3. Learn to take care of yourself
In your twenties, taking care of yourself should be a non-negotiable. This is the decade when you’re likely stepping into independence, juggling the demands of work, relationships, and figuring out your place in the world.
Taking care of yourself also means taking responsibility of your life. It means acknowledging that, at the end of the day, you’re the one in charge of meeting your needs, navigating challenges, and cheering yourself on through thick and thin.
There will be times when no one else fully understands your struggles or celebrates your victories. You need to learn how to show up for yourself, to root for yourself when things get tough, and to remind yourself that you’re doing the best you can.
Living away from family has been one of the biggest lessons in this for me. When I was on my own, I realized just how important it was to truly know my own needs.
Self-care has been incredibly empowering.
While navigating your twenties, the better you take care of yourself, the stronger, healthier, and happier you’ll be for everything else life throws your way.
More on Self-care:
-Self-Care Habits for Your Daily Routine
–5-Minute Self-Care Rituals for Your Morning Routine
–Self-Care Rituals from Around the World
4. Managing your Mental Health is as Important as Managing Your life
Life in your twenties can be challenging, and no one gives you a manual for navigating it all. But that doesn’t mean you have to go through it without support.
Whether it’s opening up to a trusted friend, leaning on family, or seeking guidance from a therapist, there’s strength in asking for help when you need it.
Your mental health is just as important as any other aspect of your life, and taking care of it is a sign of courage—not weakness.
I know this because I’ve been there myself. In my early twenties, the complexities of adulthood and all its uncertainties left me feeling like an anxious mess.
Financial uncertainties and my inability to handle even the smallest inconveniences would leave me feeling overwhelmed and spiraling into anxious thoughts.
It’s only in the past few years that I’ve started to better manage my mental health and feel a sense of balance. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t have to do it all alone.
So, If you’re struggling to manage your mental health while navigating your twenties, here are a few lessons I’ve picked up along the way:
- It’s okay to not have it all figured out. You don’t have to know exactly where your life is headed. Uncertainty is part of the process, and learning to sit with it (rather than fight it) is a step toward feeling more at peace.
- Keep an eye on your finances, but be kind to yourself. Financial struggles can be a huge source of stress, especially when you’re starting out. Learning to budget and prioritize your spending is important, but so is being compassionate with yourself when money feels tight. It’s a learning process—you’ll get there.
- Set boundaries, even if it’s hard. You don’t have to say yes to every social obligation or take on every responsibility. Your time and energy are limited, and protecting them is a form of self-care.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or therapist, sharing your struggles can lighten the emotional load
- Celebrate progress, not perfection.
You can also read: 10 Daily Actions to Improve Your Mental Health
5. Invest in yourself
Your twenties are a time of immense growth and change, which makes it the perfect decade to invest in yourself.
But “investing in yourself” doesn’t have to mean going back to school or taking on grand, expensive ventures. It’s about making intentional choices that support your well-being, growth, and future, no matter where you’re starting from.
Some practical ways you can invest in yourself are:
- Take daily walks or stretch for 10 minutes after waking up.
- Add one or two nutritious meals to your week instead of overhauling your entire diet.
- Commit to scheduling annual health checkups.
- Learn skills that could either help you in your career or enrich your life in some way. Eg: learn coding, crocheting, photography, gardening, or cooking.
- Saying yes to opportunities that scare you—whether it’s speaking up in a meeting or trying something entirely new.
- Learn the basics of investing.
- Exploring creative outlets like blogging, journaling, or creating art—things that don’t need to be “productive” but feed your soul.
For me, my twenties were the perfect time to dive into learning blogging and starting my own blog. Another simple yet impactful way I invested in myself was by reading good books. It might sound small, but those books (Tuesdays With Morrie, The Palace of Illusions) offered me new perspectives, practical wisdom, and tools to navigate life’s challenges.
So, start investing in yourself for yourself.
Related: 80 Tiny Ways to Improve Your Life, Keystone Habits to Help You in Breaking Bad Habits
6. Learn to Organize, Plan, and Simplify Your Life in Your Twenties
In my twenties, I discovered that organizing, planning, and simplifying my daily routine made me far more productive—and less stressed. By taking small, intentional steps to structure my life, I finally felt in control of my time and energy.
Here’s what works best for me:
-Using a planner and a calender to schedule my tasks and appointments.
– Instead of listing everything I could do, I ask myself: What are the 3-5 things I truly need to accomplish today? This keeps me from overloading myself and ensures I’m focused on what’s important.
– A clean environment helps me think more clearly. I regularly tidy my desk, unsubscribe from spam emails, and organize my digital files into folders. These small habits create a sense of calm.
– I’ve learned that scheduling downtime is just as important as planning work. Whether it’s a 20-minute walk, an hour to read, or an entire day off, intentional rest makes me more productive in the long run.
-At the start of the week, I take a few minutes to pick out and organize clothes for work, errands, or even casual outings. It’s one less decision to make each morning,
– Before going to bed, I spend 5 minutes reviewing what I accomplished and planning for the next day. It helps me sleep better knowing I’m starting tomorrow with clarity.
– I focus on doing my best with the tools I have and adjusting when things don’t go as planned. It’s been freeing to accept that not everything will get done—and that’s okay.
– Every few weeks, I take time to evaluate what’s working and what isn’t. Am I spending my energy on the right things? Are there habits I need to tweak? This reflection keeps me aligned with my goals.
Your twenties are the perfect time to learn these skills—they’ll make your life easier now and in the years to come.
7. Build and maintain Meaningful Relationships in Your Twenties
Your twenties can sometimes feel isolating, especially as people take different paths, move away, or face their own challenges.
But prioritizing relationships with people who genuinely care about you—and being that kind of person for others—creates a support system that will carry you through not just your twenties, but the rest of your life.
I’m fortunate to be blessed with an incredibly supportive group of people—my friends, family, and partner. Their presence has been my anchor during both the highs and lows of my twenties, and I’ve come to realize just how crucial it is to nurture these kinds of relationships.
-A few close, supportive relationships can bring more joy and meaning to your life than a large group of acquaintances ever could.
-Life gets busy, but it’s so important to take the time to nurture the connections that truly matter. Even a quick check-in can mean a lot.
-Not every relationship is meant to last forever, and that’s okay. If someone consistently drains your energy, dismisses your feelings, or holds you back, it’s a sign to gently let go. Protecting your peace and prioritizing healthy, positive relationships is an act of self-care.
-At the same time, seek out people who inspire and uplift you—friends, mentors, or communities that align with your values and growth.
Relationships thrive when they’re built on mutual care. Be there for the people who matter, celebrate their victories, and offer your support when they need it most.
There’s no way to rush through or bypass your twenties, no matter how challenging they might feel. This phase of life, with all its transitions and uncertainties, can sometimes seem overwhelming and endless. But it’s also a rare and fleeting time—a season of growth, exploration, and transformation that won’t come again. The circumstances you’re navigating now are shaping you in ways that will anchor your future self.
The most important thing to remind yourself is that you are not ‘falling behind’ or ‘running out of time.’
Growth doesn’t happen all at once; it unfolds gradually, often in ways you can’t see right away. Every challenge you face, every decision you make, is helping to build the foundation of who you are. So embrace the messiness, take things one step at a time, and trust that this period of change is leading you toward something greater.
You might like reading:
–30-Day Challenge Ideas for Your Wellbeing
–How to Practise Positive Self-Talk
–How to Embrace Mindfulness Everyday
