Figuring Out Your 20s: A Guide for Young Adults & Parents

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” – E.E. Cummings

We live in a society that is envious of our youth. We love youth! We tend to get jealous of those who posses it, especially the further away we get from it. In all honesty, my 20's were a time to be had! Filled with good times, but also poor decisions, trauma and not fully knowing who I really was. When everyone was telling me this was suppose to be the time of my life, I was struggling to figure out how to be an "adult". Sounds fun, right?!?

Your 20s are often described as the decade of discovery—a time to figure out who you are, what you want, and how to get there. But let’s be real: it’s also a time filled with uncertainty, pressure, and self-doubt. Whether you’re a young adult navigating this phase or a parent supporting your child through it, the journey can feel overwhelming.

The Challenges of Your 20s

For many young adults, this decade brings challenges like:

Finding Direction: Deciding on a career path, choosing further education, or entering the workforce.
Financial Independence: Learning how to budget, manage expenses, and plan for the future.
Building Meaningful Relationships: Navigating friendships, romantic relationships, and professional connections.
Mental & Emotional Growth: Managing stress, overcoming self-doubt, and staying motivated.

Being in your 20's can be both incredibly exciting and incredibly scary. There are many moving parts to life and feelings we manage in our 20's. Some of that is also directly related to how we manage our connections with our parents. As it could be difficult to wean ourselves off of our parents support and guidance or, conversely, constantly listen to their suggestions and what they may want from us, it is still important for us to have support. Parent's if you are at that stage with your child, here is some quick tips that may help your 20 something at this stage of their life.

How Parents Can Support Their 20-Somethings

Parents play a crucial role in helping their children transition into adulthood. Here’s how you can offer support:

Encourage Exploration: It’s okay if they don’t have it all figured out. Support their journey of trial and error. Maybe you were more put together and focused on what you wanted to do at 20, but your child may not. Especially in today's world, where there are so many new and different paths to a career or let alone ability to financially support themselves, helping stay positive when they explore their options is a great way to have your kid feel comfortable sharing with you their feelings and plans.
Promote Independence: Allow them to make decisions and mistakes—it’s all part of growth. As I often try to encourage parents to do this, let your kid make mistakes. DO NOT SWEEP IN AND SAVE THEM FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISIONS!
Be a Sounding Board, Not a Director: Listen more than you advise. Sometimes they just need a safe space to express their thoughts.
Introduce Resources: Encourage them to seek guidance, whether through mentors, networking opportunities, or professional coaching.

All together, figuring out your 20's does not need to be as grueling and painful as some of us make it out to be. In all honesty, I know 40 and 50 year olds who still struggle with figuring out who they are and what they want to do in life! So, do not be so tough on a timeline of figuring things out. Instead, try these 5 tips to help figure out how to get to the next level of your life!

Top 5 Tips for Taking Life to the Next Level

Whether you're a 20-something figuring out your path or a parent looking to provide meaningful support, here are five key strategies to help navigate this pivotal decade:

Set Small, Actionable Goals – Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the big picture, break things down into manageable steps. Progress builds confidence and momentum.
Embrace Discomfort and Uncertainty – Growth happens outside of the comfort zone. Encourage taking risks, whether it's trying a new career path, moving to a new city, or taking on a challenging project.
Develop Strong Habits and Routines – Good habits lay the foundation for long-term success. Prioritize time management, self-discipline, and self-care.
Expand Your Network – Opportunities often come from connections. Be open to meeting new people, seeking mentorship, and leveraging personal and professional relationships. This is especially why I practice and emphasize the power of being social and the master of small talk..... no one really wants to engage in small talk or talking with those you do not have a ton in common with, but you will never know what connection in life will bring you to the next level!
Invest in Personal Development – Whether it’s reading, taking courses, or working with a life coach, investing in self-growth leads to better decision-making and greater success. Investing in your personal development will be the best thing you can do at ANY AGE! The returns on this investment can really be the difference between a tolerable life and a satisfying one.

Why a Life Coach Can Make a Difference

Navigating early adulthood is easier with the right guidance, and that’s where a life coach can be a game-changer. As a professional life coach specializing in executive functioning, career development, and personal growth, I help young adults:

Identify their strengths, interests, and goals.
Develop actionable plans to move forward with confidence.
Build essential life skills, from organization to decision-making.
Overcome obstacles like self-doubt, procrastination, and fear of failure.
Motivate and energize my clients to not be scared to ask for the life they really want and then be able to go out and get it!

If you or your 20-something are feeling stuck, I’m here to help. Let’s create a personalized plan for success together.

Get in Touch

I offer one-on-one coaching sessions tailored to young adults looking to build confidence, find direction, and take control of their future. Contact me today a www.specialconnects.com or email me at specialconnectsllc@gmail.com to learn more about how coaching can provide the clarity and motivation needed to make the most of your 20s!