Lost in Your 20s? Why It’s Totally Normal—And What to Do About It

‍If You’re Feeling Lost in Your 20s, You’re Not Broken

You finished school (or didn’t). You got a job (or didn’t). You’ve checked a few boxes, but something still feels off.
Maybe you’re stuck. Maybe you’re behind. Maybe you’re not where you thought you’d be.

If any of this sounds familiar, let’s just start here:
You are not the only one. And you are not failing at life.

So many 20-somethings feel lost. It’s not because you’re doing it wrong—it’s because this phase of life is wildly complex, often under-supported, and full of both pressure and possibility.

This guide will help you understand why you feel this way, what’s actually going on—and how to move forward even if you’re still figuring it all out.

Why So Many People Feel Lost in Their 20s

There are real reasons this season feels confusing or unsteady. Here are some of the biggest ones:

1. No One Taught You How to Build a Life—Just How to Pass a Test

You were probably told how to get good grades. Maybe how to apply to college. But few people ever teach us how to:

• Build a meaningful career
  
• Create healthy relationships
  
• Navigate failure and doubt
  
• Make peace with not having it all figured out
  

So if you’re out here “adulting” without a manual, it makes sense that it feels disorienting.

2. Social Media Makes You Feel Behind

Instagram. LinkedIn. TikTok. Everyone’s posting new jobs, new apartments, new engagements.
And meanwhile you’re just… scrolling at 2am wondering what went wrong.

Here’s the truth: social media is a highlight reel, not a full picture. The comparison trap is real—and it’s making us feel more isolated and anxious than ever.

3. You’re Between Identities

In your 20s, you’re often no longer a “student,” but you don’t fully feel like an “adult” either.

You’re somewhere between where you were and where you want to be. That liminal space—while normal—can feel deeply unsettling.
You're becoming...but you’re not sure what.

Signs You’re “Lost” (But Actually Just In Transition)

Let’s reframe “lost” as “becoming.”

Here are common signs:

• You question whether you’re on the right path
  
• You feel disconnected from your goals or identity
  
• You experience career or relationship confusion
  
• You feel emotionally or physically drained
  
• You’re craving meaning, not just productivity
  

These aren’t failures. They’re invitations.

What to Do When You Feel Lost in Your 20s

Here’s what you can actually do to move through this—no overnight reinvention required.

1. Stop Searching for a Perfect Life Plan

Spoiler: there isn’t one.

You don’t need to have a 10-year plan. You just need to take one intentional step at a time.

Ask yourself: What’s one small thing I can do this month that moves me in a direction that feels more true?

Maybe that’s updating your resume. Taking a class. Talking to a coach. Starting a creative project. One step is enough.

2. Shift From “Who Should I Be?” to “What Feels Right Now?”

There’s a lot of pressure to become a finished product in your 20s. But growth isn’t linear—and it’s not about who you should be, but what feels aligned right now.

Try journaling: “What matters to me this year?”
Not forever. Just now. You’re allowed to grow and shift.

3. Make Space for Honest Support

Talking to a parent might feel like pressure. Talking to a friend might lead to more comparing. You might need neutral, honest support.

Consider working with a coach who gets what this phase feels like. Not someone to give you all the answers—but someone to help you ask the right questions.

4. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

You won’t solve everything in a week. But you can start to feel more clear and grounded.

Progress looks like:

• Knowing what you don’t want
  
• Feeling confident in a small decision
  
• Getting out of your own head
  
• Feeling hopeful again

5. Let Go of “Behind”

You are not behind. There’s no universal timeline. No rulebook. No age where you must have everything figured out.

Some people find their dream job at 22. Others start over at 35.
You’re not late. You’re living. And that counts.

Final Thoughts: Lost Isn’t the End—It’s the Beginning

Your 20s are meant to be messy. They’re a time of change, curiosity, failure, exploration, and deep personal growth.
Feeling lost isn’t a detour—it’s often how you find your way.

So if you’re feeling stuck, confused, or just blah, know this:

You’re not broken. You’re becoming.

And we’re here to help you through it.