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Welcome to the Tricky Twenties Community 💛

Your twenties are a rollercoaster—filled with highs, lows, and a whole lot of what am I even doing? But here’s the thing: you’re not alone. This is a space for real stories, honest conversations, and unfiltered experiences about navigating life in your twenties.

Whether you’re figuring out your career, dealing with an identity crisis, struggling with mental health, or just trying to make sense of adulthood—your voice matters here. Share your journey, your lessons, your struggles, and your wins (big or small). Because sometimes, the best thing we can do is remind each other that we’re all just trying to figure it out.

So, what’s your story? 💬✨ Click below to explore stories created by the Tricky Twenties Community:

stories

Between Degrees and Uncertainty

For most of my studies, I felt like an imposter. As a first-generation student, I navigated a world that my family never had access to, and while I was proud to be there, I often felt like I didn’t quite belong. Conversations at home were difficult—my family didn’t always understand or appreciate the path I had chosen. “And when do you start working?” or “You just don’t know what it means to work hard” were phrases I heard too often.

And now, after finally graduating, I find myself disillusioned. Two months out of university, I’m staring at a job market that seems impossible to break into. Every position in my field demands 3-5 years of experience, but where am I supposed to get those years if no one is willing to give me a first chance? The political and economic climate doesn’t help either—across Europe and beyond, uncertainty seems to be the only constant.

Next month, I’m moving again—this time for a six-month internship. Another city, another start. But if I’m honest, the idea of uprooting myself yet again feels exhausting. I’ve done this too many times, and I long for some kind of stability. People tell me I should enjoy this time, that these years are supposed to be the most exciting, the most fun. But what if I’m ready for something different? What if I don’t want to keep reinventing myself every few months? And isn’t this pressure to constantly “make the best of it” just another way capitalism sneaks into our personal lives?

I don’t have answers yet. For now, I’m trying to take things day by day, reminding myself that I’m not alone in this, even when it feels like it. Maybe the transition from student to professional was never meant to be easy. I can’t help but hope that somewhere in all this uncertainty, a more stable, fulfilling path is waiting.

Navigating the Tricky Twenties: A Personal Journey

Where do I even begin? The twenties, especially the mid-twenties post-university, can feel like walking through a maze—exciting yet daunting. This little post captures some of the ups and downs I’ve been facing lately.

On one hand, I’m diving headfirst into my career. The reality of a 9-to-5 (or, let’s be honest, more like 9-to-7) work life hits hard. Figuring out the corporate world means a whirlwind of challenges, exhaustion, and a sprinkle of anxiety. I often find myself caught in a tug-of-war between the desire to throw it all away and travel the world—reliving the carefree days of student life—and the siren call of capitalism, where negotiating salaries and aspirations for more seem to loom over me.

And then there’s the new city I’ve moved to. Starting fresh without knowing many people is a wild ride. All my close friends are scattered across various cities and even countries, leaving me to navigate this journey solo. Building a network of friends in adulthood feels like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Without the built-in social circles of school or university, making new connections becomes a challenge. Many of the people I meet already have their established friend groups, making it clear that it’s not always easy to break into new social circles. I find myself craving connections beyond work; I want friends with whom I can share more than just office gossip. But how to meet them? I’m thankful for any tips.

And let’s not forget the dating scene. After being single for a while, the pressure to meet someone special feels palpable, and yes, I cringe just thinking about it. In this age, the idea that the next person I date should ideally be someone I can imagine building a future with is becoming more pressing. It doesn’t help that I’m surrounded by people who are in relationships. They’re no longer planning weekend getaways with friends but rather cozy trips with their partners. When I want to hang out with a friend, I can’t help but also be introduced to their significant other, which can be awkward unless I get lucky and actually like them.

The “Tricky 20s” can really feel like a balancing act—between career aspirations, social connections, and the desire for romance. But through this journey, I’m learning to embrace the chaos and uncertainty. After all, if there’s one thing I’ve realized, it’s that these moments—both challenging and exhilarating—are what make this decade uniquely memorable.

How to Live on 24 Hours a Day?!?

You wake up. You blink. And just like that, the day is over. Again.

You had plans—big ones. You were finally going to start that book, practice piano, squeeze in a workout, and cook yourself a healthy meal. But guess what? None of that happened.

Sound familiar? Yeah, me too. There’s so much I want to do—work, hobbies, exercise, social life, maybe even becoming a better person (whatever that means). But reality? Reality usually has other plans. Work drags on, traffic turns my commute into an survival challenge, and a “quick” phone check somehow leads to me owning a survival knife and a high-tech hiking backpack with a built-in water filter—despite the fact that my longest “hike” is from my couch to the fridge.

No matter how much I try to rearrange my schedule, something always gets left behind. And at first, that really bothered me. But honestly? Stressing about it just makes me get even less done.

So maybe the trick isn’t about squeezing everything into every single day. Maybe it’s about doing what fits today. Some weeks, I’m all about fitness. Other weeks, I’m a social butterfly. And sometimes, my greatest achievement is remembering to take the laundry out before it starts smelling… questionable.

If you’re constantly feeling short on time too, maybe the answer isn’t to do more. Maybe it’s realizing that some things can wait—and that’s completely okay.

A quarter-life crisis tale

Finding my place in the corporate world straight out of university was like being thrown into the deep end of a pool – exciting but terrifying. At 23, I landed what seemed like the perfect job on paper: great salary, prestigious company, fancy office. Everything I thought I wanted.

But seven months in, I find myself sitting in the train every morning, dreading to walk into that building. The anxiety creeps in on Sunday evenings, and by Monday morning, my stomach is in knots. I’m good at my job, but I feel like an impostor in a suit, playing a role in someone else’s story.

The constant pressure to perform, to appear confident when I’m actually overwhelmed, and to navigate office politics while still trying to figure out who I am professionally – it’s all more challenging than I ever expected. The shame of not feeling entirely happy in my “dream job” feels overwhelming sometimes.

Through conversations with other twenty-somethings, I’m slowly learning that these feelings are more common than I thought. That it’s okay to feel uncertain and that finding your path isn’t always as straightforward as society makes it seem.

I’m still figuring things out, and maybe that’s exactly where I need to be right now. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is admit that you’re still searching for what truly makes you happy.

Stuck, lost and questioning everything

If someone had told me a few years ago that I’d be in my mid-twenties, completely uninterested in the degree I spent years working toward, I probably would have laughed. Or cried. Probably both. I used to think I had it all figured out. I picked my field at 18, convinced it was the right path. Back then, it made sense. But now? I sit through lectures, scroll through job listings, and feel… nothing. No spark, no excitement. Just the heavy realization that I don’t actually want to do this for the rest of my life. The problem is, I have no clue what I do want to do instead. Everyone around me seems to be moving forward, starting their careers, getting promotions, finding their passions. Meanwhile, I’m stuck in this weird limbo, torn between finishing something I don’t love and jumping into the unknown with zero direction. I’ve tried everything: career quizzes, journaling, even asking my friends what they think I’d be good at (which, by the way, is a dangerous game because now I apparently give great therapist vibes?). Nothing has given me that aha moment I’m desperate for. Sometimes I feel like a failure, but I’m trying to remind myself that it’s okay to not have everything figured out. It’s all about being kind and patient with yourself I guess.

Is it normal to feel behind?

Does anyone else also have this feeling of lagging behind? I’m in my mid-twenties, but still live with my parents, have tried about three different study programs only to quit all of them after less than a year of trying. None of it seems interesting to me: the sitting around in lecture halls for three to four years, the living together with roommates that leave the kitchen like an enormous mess, and let’s not even get into the bathroom.. None of it is appealing to me, but I also have the feeling that I’m missing out. I never really experienced the “student life”, never really lived on my own. When I hear stories of my friends about how great coliving is and how much fun they experience, I feel a bit.. jealous? And yes, they tell me all the time that I am just doing things on my own pace and that at least I don’t have to deal with a large sum of student debt, but still. Sometimes it can feel pretty lonely and overwhelming, to not know what I want whilst everyone else is out there living their busy lives.

Learning to own my worth

For as long as I can remember, I was the girl who blended into the background. I avoided eye contact, second-guessed everything I said, and felt like everyone around me was just better at life. In my early twenties, it got worse. At work, I felt like an imposter. On social media, I saw people my age thriving while I overanalyzed every tiny decision. But then, over coffee one day, my best friend admitted she felt the same way. It hit me: we’re all just figuring things out. That realization changed everything. I started making small shifts like speaking up in meetings, setting tiny challenges, and reminding myself that confidence isn’t about never doubting yourself, but moving forward despite the doubt. Some days, I still struggle, but I’ve learned to trust that I deserve to take up space. I live by the quote: “I am more capable than I think” and it really helps me. To the introverts or shy ones, we got this!

A hack to get out of bed easier

I’ve never been a morning person. No matter how many times I promised myself I’d wake up early for a peaceful start to the day, I am too much of a snoozer to actually do so. Then, one day, a friend stayed over, and I noticed that when her alarm went off, she just got up without hesitation. She told me her secret: she always kept her phone across the room. Curious, I decided to give it a try. The next morning, I placed my phone out of reach, and when my alarm rang, I had no choice but to get up and turn it off. Once I was up, it was easier to stay up, and I didn’t fall back into bed. Within a week, mornings were no longer a struggle. That one small change helped break my snooze cycle, and I felt more energized throughout the day. If you find yourself constantly fighting your alarm, try putting your phone across the room. It might just be the game-changer you need for better mornings. Hope this helps you as it did for me!

What helped me save money

Up until a few years ago I had no clue how to deal with money. I was the type of person who lived in the moment, which is great for a lot of things, but maybe not for saving. It wasn’t until I started tracking my finances that I realized I had a habit of spending nearly everything I earned, leaving little room for saving. I began breaking down my expenses into categories like rent, groceries, eating out, and beauty & care, which helped me see where I could cut costs. As a foodie, I noticed I was spending a lot on eating out, so I set a monthly budget specifically for that. I also added “savings” as a category to make sure that not all my income was going right back out. Now, with a clear overview of my spending and a designated savings plan, I’m finally feeling more in control of my finances, and it’s such a relief knowing I’m building a financial cushion for the future.