Scrolling through social media in your 20s can feel like witnessing a never-ending report of announcements:

• “Just got engaged!”
• “Graduation day!”
• “Baby #1 on the way!”

Meanwhile, you might be sitting on your couch, staring at your phone, wondering if you’re falling behind. Maybe you’re not graduating “on time.” Maybe dating feels more like a chore than a fairy tale. Maybe you feel stuck in a job that feels unfulfilling. Maybe you’re trying to figure out what it is you’re truly passionate about.

Here’s the thing no one says enough: It’s okay if your path looks different.

The Pressure to “Keep Up”

A significant factor that makes being in your 20s so difficult is the inevitable comparison between yourself and others your age. It’s important to remember that although this stage of life is full of transitions, they don’t all happen at the same time, or in the same way, for everyone.

Some of your friends might be walking across a stage with a diploma. Others might be walking down the aisle. And you? You might be figuring out how to cook more than just pasta, trying to feel like yourself in a new city, or trying to figure out a career path that feels fulfilling for you. Wherever you may be in life, just remember that you’re not falling behind, you’re simply navigating life your way.

Still, that pressure to keep up is real. The pressure becomes exasperated with social media. This is because social media has a way of turning everyone else’s highlight reel into your measuring stick. It can feel like if you’re not hitting certain milestones by a certain age, you’re doing something wrong.

But there is no one-size-fits-all timeline. No rulebook says by 25 you must have your life “figured out.” (And even if there were, it would be wrong.)

Why This Age Feels So Hard

Being a young adult can feel like being in limbo. You’re not a teenager anymore, but you’re not quite fully established in adulthood either. You’re making more decisions on your own, but those decisions often come with uncertainty. You might be building your identity, your relationships, your career—and sometimes it all feels messy and unclear.

It’s okay to grieve the parts of life you thought would look different by now. It’s okay to feel lost. This stage is filled with questions:

• Who am I?
• What do I want?
• Why does everyone else seem to have it together but me?

Spoiler alert: they don’t.

Things You Can Do to Support Yourself

• Limit your scroll time: Social media isn’t real life. If certain apps leave you feeling worse about yourself, it’s okay to take a break or unfollow accounts that trigger comparison.
• Talk about it: You’re not the only one feeling this way. Chances are, your friends are struggling too. Opening up can take the pressure off and help you feel more connected.
• Focus on your small wins: Milestones don’t have to be huge to matter. Cooking a new meal, applying for a job, writing a paper, getting through a tough day—these all count. Celebrate your progress, no matter how “small” it might seem.
• Practice self-compassion: Be gentle with yourself. You’re learning and growing, and that process is never linear. Try talking to yourself the way you would talk to a close friend who’s struggling.
• Get curious about your values: Instead of chasing what everyone else is doing, spend some time asking: What matters to me? Building a life that’s aligned with your values can be far more satisfying than trying to meet someone else’s timeline.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a space to explore all of this without judgment. It’s a place where you can untangle your thoughts, understand your emotions, and learn how to be kinder to yourself as you navigate this weird, wonderful, and often overwhelming chapter of life.

A therapist can help you:

• Make sense of where you are and where you want to go
• Work through comparison, self-doubt, and anxiety
• Build coping tools to manage the stress that comes with change
• Feel less alone in your experience

You don’t have to go through this alone. Whether you’re struggling with comparison, feeling stuck, or simply overwhelmed by all the uncertainty, therapy can help you feel grounded and supported.

Your Path Is Valid

At the end of the day, your timeline is yours. Just because your path looks different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. You are still growing. You are still becoming. And that is what truly matters.