While many people think their twenties are supposed to be the “best years of your life,” most twenty-somethings experience an immense amount of insecurity and uncertainty that would have them arguing the contrary. Your twenties are a turbulent time full of career leaps, new relationships, moving to new cities, and the pressures of unmet expectations for life post-studies, while often lacking in sleep and money.
Mental health issues often surface as a result of the constant stress and soul-searching, leading to a “quarter-life crisis” if unchecked. Follow the tips below to help you navigate these times with confidence.
Communicate
When you’re struggling, it is easy to withdraw and feel like you are alone in your problems, but it is highly likely that you are not. Open up to peers about your stresses, and you’ll find that your problems are an almost universal experience. The key is to talk to people your age. It can be discouraging to discuss career and relationship struggles with people generations apart since they can’t always relate to the current situation. You might feel more comfortable opening up to a parent about personal issues, but so much has changed in the past few decades they may not be the best first option since their experience is often unrelatable.
Limit Your Social Media
“Comparison is the thief of all joy.” It’s true. Insecurity is a shared experience of your twenties, and when you’re insecure you’ll probably look to others for inspiration, but social media is not the best place to start. On social media, we only see other’s best images and life’s highlights. It can be particularly damaging for mental health to – consciously or not – compare ourselves to peers.
Some best practices are to limit your overall social media use, remove influencers or peers you don’t keep in touch with from your feeds, and make a habit to not check your phone right before bed when you’re trying to unwind. Consider downloading an audiobook or meditation app to set a relaxing tone for the night.
Foster Your Hobbies
Many people focus on their careers and relationships in their twenties that they skimp on the activities that bring them joy. Set aside time to do things that make you happy and do them ideally without any goal or outcome in mind. If you’ve been far-removed from hobbies, try something new. Playfulness isn’t just for children, it’s fantastic for stress relief.
Invest In Your Confidence
The mid-late twenties is often like a “second puberty” where many start experiencing changes in their appearance that cause discomfort. Many may begin noticing their first fine line wrinkles, a creeping hairline, or weight that didn’t shed as easily as before. All of this contributes to the anxiety that time is escaping us. Now is the time to invest in things that will boost confidence. Whether it be quality skincare, a hair loss treatment such as finasteride, or finding clothes that fit your body well and make you feel good, it’s worth it for your self-esteem.
Take A Break For Self-Care
While it’s not always feasible to take a proper beach vacation to rejuvenate, there are ways you can incorporate a pause for self-care in everyday life. Even just prioritizing sleep and a work-life balance can do wonders. Other options are planning a staycation, getting a massage, or unplugging from devices for the weekend.
Seek Community and Socialize
It’s instinctual for many to isolate themselves when they don’t feel their best, but this is a prime time in your life to meet new people. This not only includes dating or making new friends, but also networking, volunteering, joining groups. There are so many apps and ways to get involved and connected with your community. It’s especially important to put yourself out there if you’ve moved to a new city. It may not be comfortable at first, but you’ll never know what you’re missing out on if you don’t try.
Develop a Plan
It’s always good for motivation to have something to work or look forward to. Concrete goals can help us emerge from a mindset of feeling lost. If you need help establishing your goals, it’s a good idea to journal about your ambitions and values and start with short term goals that are more tangible. Having a positive vision about your life will keep you focused through uncertainty.
How can No Panic help?
Although it’s not openly discussed, mental health issues are a completely normal part of life, especially when significant changes and decisions are involved. It should be encouraged to reach out for professional help if you are struggling. At No Panic we have a membership service that includes one-to-one and group therapy options that provides people with the skills they need to manage their condition and work towards recovery, enabling them to lead more fulfilled lives.
