Life in Your 20s

For the past year or so, I have done a lot of reflecting on my life and my future – as I would assume many of you have as well during the pandemic. I’ve experience periods of deep anxiety and fear, but also periods of strong hope and genuine joy.

One thing that has weighed on me pretty much since the ripe age of 14, but especially in the past year, is what my purpose is and what path I should take in life.

Being in my early 20s, I feel as though there is a very apparent stigma behind what life should look like for a 20-something-year-old. The existential weight one can feel due to these stigmas can quickly become a large burden.

What if I don’t find love? What if I don’t have kids until after 30? What if I don’t travel? What if I don’t graduate? And if I graduate, what if it’s too late? What if I can’t find a job in today’s economy? How am I going to make money? Do I even enjoy my career path?

The list goes on and on, but I think all of these thoughts stem from one question…. what if I fail?

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I wanted to write this post because I know many people my age struggle with thinking they are falling behind if they do not pursue the same track that everybody else pursues.

I think there is a certain pressure we all feel from society, our peers, and in some cases, our family members to stay in line with the typical “graduate college in four years, find a stable job, get married by 25, settle down with kids before 30, and work until retirement.” It is very easy to feel as though you are failing at life if you don’t follow this track exactly.

I want to make it clear that I think there is nothing wrong with following the path mentioned above. I applaud any life/career path that allows one to live out their purpose. However, creating a space for everybody to fulfill their purpose involves recognizing life paths that might not be considered “traditional.”

It is crucial that we realize every track in life is valid. A prominent reason why we all get scared of failure is because of the idea that the path we want to pursue doesn’t look like the path of the person next to you.

This topic is something I have become very passionate about since I decided to switch majors in college, spend a few semesters working full time, and take my time getting my degree. My professional journey story is for another post, as we would be here for a few hours if I were to elaborate on the past few years right now, but the point is this: graduating “late,” not being in a committed relationship in your early 20s, taking time to focus on what is best for your mental health and wellbeing – is exactly what your youth should be for.

These years should be used to discover our true desires, passions, purpose, and most importantly – make mistakes.

By no means am I implying that I have it all together and you should all take my advice, but one thing I am certain about is that is it okay. You are exactly where you are supposed to be, and there is no time limit on finding your path in life or discovering true joy.

Even if you are not in your 20s, I hope this post serves as some encouragement that it is never too late to pursue something new or develop new passions.

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Anyone who knows me knows that music is one of my greatest passions in life. I love analyzing my favorite albums, following my favorite artists, and finding connections with people who enjoy the same artists as me. Music is something that has helped me through many stages of life, and it serves as a way for me to express myself and discover more parts of myself.

With that being said, I have made a playlist on my Spotify of songs that, to me, help being in your 20s seem a little less scary. These songs give me hope and serve as a reminder that it is okay for me to be on the life path I am on. I have linked the playlist below. I would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations!

I hope everybody has a great week! You are so valued and so loved!