Ever get the sense that your twenties are a crazy rollercoaster ride with no seatbelt in sight? You’re not alone. These years have a reputation for dizzying highs, surprising lows, and a healthy dose of “What am I even doing?” moments. But here’s the best part: with the right approach and a few expert-approved techniques, you can make these years your springboard to a life you adore.
From managing friendships that flip overnight to creating habits that reward you for decades, your twenties are all about learning to trust yourself, being resilient, and growing. Here, find the key lessons to know that will enable you to thrive not just survive through every curve and turn.
1. Adopt Failure Early and Often It’s Your Secret Weapon
Forget everything you learned at school about success as a straight line. Your twenties are the greatest testing ground for big moves and, yes, even giant flops. As Mark Manson says, “Your greatest asset is not your talent, not your ideas, not your experience, but your time.” (Fail early and often; time is your best asset)
This is the decade to experiment, try new things, and allow yourself to learn from each failure. Whether it’s a business that didn’t work or a relationship that bombed, these are stepping stones for coming successes. The secret? Turn each failure into a lesson, not a loss. The more you’re learning now, the less stoppable you’ll be later.
2. Quit Comparing Your Path is One-of-a-Kind
Social media can create the illusion that everyone else is experiencing their best life and you are in the waiting room. However, this is the reality: “How other people judge us is none of our business. We won’t please everyone anyway.” (How other people judge us is none of our business)
Continuous comparison only breeds anxiety and self-doubt. Instead, look to your own development and be proud of your progress, no matter how incremental. As professionals advise, releasing expectations and being kind to yourself are mind-shifters for mental wellness. Your journey doesn’t need to be anyone else’s and that’s where its strength lies.
3. Friendships Will Change And That’s Okay
One of the biggest surprises of your twenties? Not every friendship is destined to be lifelong. Life is moving quickly, and so are people. You may lose touch with old friends as your values and interests change, and that’s okay. As Mark Manson says, “You can’t force a friendship with someone. Either it’s there or it’s not.”
Rather than holding onto relationships because they’re comfortable, put your energy into connections that allow you to grow. Surround yourself with individuals who challenge and encourage you. It’s not about how many people you have in your life, but who you have in your life. And yes, sometimes making adult friends does require effort but your future self will be grateful for discovering your tribe.
4. Create Healthy Habits Now Your Future Self Will Thank You
It’s easy to get away with playing with your body as if it’s indestructible in your twenties, but the decisions you make today establish the foundation for the next several decades. As Forbes points out, establishing good diet and exercise habits early on really pays off. “The earlier you start taking care of your diet and starting an exercise routine, the quicker you lay the groundwork for a healthy mind and body.”
Don’t worry about being perfect discover a fitness routine you love and make it feasible. Small, incremental changes are better than crash diets or fit binges at the gym. As one twentysomething explained, paying for a personal trainer or taking a group class can be the turning point in your life. Your energy, mood, and even your social life will improve.
5. Invest in Yourself Skills, Savings, and Self-Care
Your twenties are the best time to set the foundation for personal development and financial independence. Begin investing and saving, even if it’s minimal. As one author has said, “Investing is self-care. It can be as little as 1 percent of your income.” Developing financial routines early leads to less anxiety and more choices later.
But investing isn’t purely financial. Continue learning and enhancing your skill set they’re assets that you’ll take with you everywhere. Whether it’s a class, learning a new language, or a new hobby, put growth first. And don’t neglect mental health: therapy, meditation, or just speaking with someone you know you can trust can be life-changing.
6. Release Perfection No One Has Everything Worked Out
Here’s a secret: even the most put-together people are winging it. As Mark Manson says, “Almost nobody has any idea what they’re doing in their 20s, and I’m fairly certain that continues further into adulthood.”
Allow yourself to be unsure, to have a change of heart, and to shift direction when something feels off. The expectation of a mistake-free career, relationship, or five-year plan is a fallacy. Progress is made from attempting, erring, and attempting again. The only genuine error is to allow fear to hold you back.
7. Practice Self-Compassion and Forgiveness
You’re going to make mistakes some big, some small. The trick is to treat yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend. Admitting mistakes and apologizing is a sign of strength, not weakness (Admitting mistakes and apologizing is a sign of strength).
Forgive yourself for not understanding everything immediately. Release grudges, particularly against yourself. This attitude not only liberates you from unwarranted guilt but also lets in genuine, lasting improvement.
8. Tune Out the Noise Live by Your Values
It’s all too simple to get caught up in what you “should” do career changes, relationships, lifestyle choices. But living by your own values is the greatest fulfillment (Living by our values and truth is the most fulfilling thing in life).
Take time to consider what is most important to you. Journaling, visualization, or discussing your priorities with a mentor can all help to clarify your priorities. When you’re acting in alignment with what you believe on an intuitive level, decision-making becomes easier and your confidence increases.
9. Take Care of Your Mental Health It’s Non-Negotiable
Mental health is not a fad it’s the basis of everything. Most twentysomethings will experience anxiety, depression, or self-doubt. Asking for help is an act of wisdom, not weakness (Take action to improve your mental health).
Therapy, support groups, or talking to friends can be life-altering. Don’t wait until things feel out of control. The earlier you tackle mental health, the stronger and more empowered you’ll be today and for the years ahead.
10. Give Yourself Permission to Change Course
You aren’t forever trapped in one career, one identity, or a relationship. As experts assure us, “It’s OK to change your career path, decide you want to go back to school or realize that you aren’t ready to settle down and start a family yet.”
Your twenties are for trying things out, experimenting, and occasionally beginning anew. Each pivot is an opportunity to gain more insight into yourself. Welcome change as a mark of progress, not failure.
11. Mark the Small Wins They Accumulate
Great successes bring all the acclaim, but it’s the little, everyday triumphs that build your life. “The sum of the little things matter much more than the big things” (The sum of the little things matter much more than the big things).
Whether it’s sticking to your budget, nailing a workout, or simply reaching out to a friend, acknowledge your progress. These moments build momentum and confidence, turning your twenties into a decade of steady, meaningful growth.
Your twenties aren’t about having all the answers they’re about asking the right questions, trying new things, and learning to trust yourself along the way. With these lessons in your toolkit, you’re not just surviving you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of health, happiness, and fulfillment. Here’s to making every year count, starting now.
