11 Tips To Find Your Purpose & Achieve Independence in Your 20’s (2024)

11 Tips To Find Your Purpose & Achieve Independence in Your 20’s (1)

Having a life of purpose & fulfillment is key to maintaining happiness. “Maintaining” is the important point to keep in mind, as happiness must be cultivated, nurtured, and developed over time. There’s no one-stop shop for joy, and it’s crucial to acknowledge that it takes time and effort to figure out how to maintain your personal happiness. There’s no “one size fits all” for this kind of stuff. Your twenties are a pinnacle time in your life, if you find yourself struggling to decide what to do, wondering, “What’s the point of life?” Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

According to 2019, Gallup poll on personal happiness, 86% of Americans report being “very” or “fairly happy”. However, this number is actually at its lowest in the 71 years they’ve been polling this topic. We’re all in the same boat. Don’t worry if you feel aimless, or if you are failing to launch. You have the power to change, and these 11 tips will help you figure it out! So, let’s get started, and take this first step:

1. Read:

I get it, books aren’t for everyone. Everyone reads in some way, though. Do you scroll through Reddit? Check out the lore for your favorite games? Maybe you peruse the latest tech news? That still counts. As long as you’re absorbing information, and spending time analyzing and thinking about it. Whether it’s news, novels, or forum posts, reading will expand your horizons and knowledge, as well as help you relax, and reduce stress. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to try an epic fantasy series or a critically acclaimed piece of nonfiction, instead of just scrolling through your newsfeed… So, keep on reading!

2. Sit down, breathe & envision what your perfect life is like:

It may sound silly at first, but visualizing does a lot to help you manifest your goals and dreams. If you take the time to think about exactly what you want in life, you can build the stepping stones of the path to achieving your dreams. Consider how to figure out what to do with your life. And if you’re wondering, “How do you know what your purpose in life is?” You’re already on the right track. You probably won’t find answers right away, but don’t worry. Take a breather, and just think.

3. Cultivate gratitude:

Maybe you’ve heard of gratitude journals before, maybe you’ve even scoffed at the idea. It’s basically a diary, right? Who needs that? Journals might not be for everyone, but gratitude is. It seems like a weird idea, but gratitude helps keep us grounded, improves our mental and physical health, and can improve our relationships with others. Simply saying “thanks” to someone will make them more receptive to you. Saying “thanks” makes them feel good, and makes you feel good, too! Gratitude has an inherently positive effect. Go ahead, just acknowledge what you’re grateful for in your life, even the smallest things will add up.

4. Define your principles – what’s really important?

Now this one is pretty straightforward. What do you value in life? What beliefs do you hold deep down in your very core? Is there a particular philosophy that appeals to you? Maybe you’ve asked the question of how to find meaning in life. We all have different purposes, maybe you don’t know yours yet, and that’s OK! Just like with working towards happiness, figuring out your values is an ongoing process. It’s subject to change, especially at this point in your life, when change is all around you. Like with everything else on this list, it’s a matter of sitting down and taking the time to think.

Defining what matters to you will help you figure out how to lead your best life. Do you value adventure? A balanced life? Do you seek challenges? Is it important to you to be a leader? A collaborator? Do you want to give back to your community? Help others? Do you lean towards logic, or are you more of a creative thinker? If you establish principles, they will guide you through how you interact with the world at large, the kinds of goals you set, and how you’ll achieve them.

5. Create goals:

Speaking of goals, SET GOALS. The definition of purpose is “something set up as an object or end to be attained,” in other words, a goal. The simple task of organizing your general wants and needs into a list of goals is immensely helpful. How do you do this? It’s simple. Like with everything else, think first. What do you want to do? What do you want to work towards? This can be a small thing like “I want to go for a walk every day,” or something bigger, like where you want to be in 5 years. Write your goals down, and the steps to achieving them. Be very specific and be realistic. Talk to someone about your goals, so that someone else can hold you accountable, and even help you figure out how to achieve them. Keep trying, and don’t be afraid to reassess and make changes along the way. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small!

6. Get out there & do it:

The first step is the hardest. Change can be scary, and maybe you feel like you’re not up for the challenge. Maybe it’s difficult to achieve your goals, and the idea of putting in all that work doesn’t seem worth it. Maybe you’re afraid of failure. You won’t know until you try. Once you get the ball rolling, you’ll keep going and naturally pick up momentum. If you approach “getting out there” with a clear plan in mind, it’ll be easier than you think. Even if it feels uncomfortable or forced at first, those feelings won’t last. Building blocks don’t naturally come together, someone has to conceptualize, plan, put the first one in its place, then another, and another… Nobody’s perfect when they’re starting out.

7. Embrace your failures and learn from mistakes:

Just like how nobody’s perfect… everybody fails. No question about it. What’s important is how you move on from that failure, and what you learn from it. Acknowledge your mistakes and do things differently next time. Assess the situation. Why did you fail? How can you do better next time? Don’t pretend the mistake never happened, but don’t dwell on it. Try, try, try again. If you’re self-aware, you’ll recognize where you went wrong, and learn from it. It’s OK to admit when you’re wrong, because that’s the first step to making things right. Remember, everybody fails!

8. Accept change as a good thing:

The only constant in life is change. It is inevitable. Like with failure, if you acknowledge and embrace change, it’ll be easier to deal with the uncertainty it brings. It can be difficult to accept, especially when things don’t seem to be going your way. Your perception is key to handling the stresses of a life in flux. It can be challenging not knowing what’s coming tomorrow.

It can feel like you’re not in control. It’ll be easier if you accept what you are in control of: yourself. You get to decide how you’ll adapt to new situations. You just need to accept that good and bad things will happen in life, not all change is bad. As the ancient Greek philosopher Heracl*tus said, “You cannot step into the same river twice,” and “everything flows.” The waters of the river are constantly changing, just as the world changes around us, no matter what we do. Resistance is futile!

9. Always keep getting better:

Humans are always “works in progress,” and it is up to you to continue improving yourself. It’s not about perfectionism, it’s about understanding that with personal development, there isn’t a clear end in sight. It’s a continuous process of growth and change. There’s always room for growth, so it’s important to let yourself be open to it. Keep learning. Keep reassessing. Keep getting better.

10. Create even more audacious goals:

Humans are always “works in progress,” and it is up to you to continue improving yourself. It’s not about perfectionism, it’s about understanding that with personal development, there isn’t a clear end in sight. It’s a continuous process of growth and change. There’s always room for growth, so it’s important to let yourself be open to it. Keep learning. Keep reassessing. Keep getting better.

Take a leap of faith! Think big. No goal is too ambitious, too bold, too crazy. There’s nothing cliché about the saying, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” It’s the simple truth! If you aim high, and keep putting effort in, you’ll always be at least one step further than you were yesterday.

11. Find a small group or community of like-minded individuals:

Find your tribe! If you surround yourself with people with similar aspirations, it’s only natural that friends will encourage and help each other along their individual journeys. Hanging out with like-minded people will cultivate great conversations, ideas, and partnerships over time. Are you wondering how to make friends? You can meet people through shared activities and interests, whether it’s a monthly D&D meetup, an axe-throwing group, or a neighborhood basketball team. It’s important to make connections, and easier now than ever, with online communities for pretty much all fandoms and hobbies. There are many ways to build a community. Online or IRL, there’s surely at least one person out there you can relate to.\

There you have it, 11 tips to help you get started in discovering what makes you tick. Where do you find your fulfillment? What do you want in life? How can you achieve independence? Above all else, identifying what’s important to you and figuring out how to stay true to that is the real first step to leading a life of purpose.

11 Tips To Find Your Purpose & Achieve Independence in Your 20’s (2024)

FAQs

11 Tips To Find Your Purpose & Achieve Independence in Your 20’s? ›

Personal development is a pivotal theme for most people in their 20s. These are the years of forming your adult identity, finding your style of relating to others, and ultimately discovering what gives you meaning in your life, among other important goals.

How can I be independent in my 20s? ›

13 Ways to Set Yourself Up For Financial Freedom in Your 20s and 30s
  1. Cut your budget. ...
  2. Set specific savings goals. ...
  3. Build an emergency fund. ...
  4. Pay down or pay off student loan debt. ...
  5. Pay down or pay off high-interest debt. ...
  6. Improve your credit score. ...
  7. Start your retirement fund. ...
  8. Learn how to invest.
Apr 3, 2023

How do I find myself again in my 20s? ›

Find out what you should start (and stop) doing in your 20s to lay the foundation for lifelong success.
  1. Start writing down your goals. ...
  2. Start letting go of your ego. ...
  3. Start reading a lot. ...
  4. Stop trying to live someone else's life. ...
  5. Stop feeling bad about the past. ...
  6. Start showing loved ones you care. ...
  7. Start taking care of your health.
May 8, 2019

How can I be successful in my early 20s? ›

Want to be successful in your 20s? Do these 9 things
  1. Start working on your emotional health, now. ...
  2. Spend time with people who aren't in their 20s. ...
  3. Save and invest as much money as you possibly can. ...
  4. Get rid of friends who aren't going anywhere in life. ...
  5. Keep reading (even though you're out of school)
Jul 17, 2019

What is personal development in your 20s? ›

Personal development is a pivotal theme for most people in their 20s. These are the years of forming your adult identity, finding your style of relating to others, and ultimately discovering what gives you meaning in your life, among other important goals.

How do I train myself to be independent? ›

How to Develop Self-Reliance
  1. Accepting yourself, and being your own best friend. Learning and appreciating your own character strengths is very important in being able to support yourself as you go through life. ...
  2. Inner confidence. ...
  3. Making our own decisions. ...
  4. Recognize and manage dependence. ...
  5. Accept yourself for who you are.
Apr 15, 2019

At what age are you truly independent? ›

By most American standards the average young adult should be financially independent of their parents by age 22, or about the age you are expected to finish college. However, only about 24 percent of young adults are actually financially independent from their parents by age 22.

Why are my 20s so lonely? ›

Yes, it is common to experience feelings of loneliness in your 20s. This can be due to various factors such as changes in life circ*mstances, differences in personal values and interests with friends or family, or difficulty in making new connections.

Is 25 too late to start your life? ›

Is 25 too late to start over? No, 25 is not too late to start over. In fact, it's a great time to reassess and refocus your career goals.

Why do I feel lost in my 20s? ›

Sometimes, we feel lost because we feel like everything is moving so fast. You're starting to get old, your friends, family, and peers are achieving great things in life, and a lot is going on outside which will make us feel left behind.

How do I not waste my 20s? ›

Here are the best tips on how to spend your 20s so you don't live in regret later.
  1. Learn to accept and love yourself first. ...
  2. Learn to say no with confidence. ...
  3. Take more risks. ...
  4. Conquer your fears. ...
  5. Turn your weaknesses into strengths. ...
  6. Learn to negotiate with politeness. ...
  7. Forgive yourself. ...
  8. Don't compare yourself to others.
Jan 10, 2023

Why are your 20s so important? ›

Facts and figures aside, your 20s are the time in your life when you learn how to be an adult. You'll get a job, make friends, pay bills, take care of yourself, have relationships, and generally gain an understanding of what those previous two decades were trying to teach you about life.

How do people change in their 20s? ›

People in their 20's often experience rapid and frequent changes. Increased responsibilities; moving to and from college or out of your parents home; significant personal relationships grow or dissipate; financial stress becomes more tangible; and planning for the future tends to take place of spontaneity.

Why is life hard in early 20s? ›

The 20s are a time of transition and change, and this can be a difficult and stressful time for many people. The pressure to succeed in career, relationships, and finding a sense of identity can take a toll on mental health. Many young adults experience feelings of anxiety and depression during their 20s.

Is it normal to struggle in your 20s? ›

Your twenties are hard. We forget to say this sometimes. We forget to reassure each other that it's okay to be struggling. We aren't reassured that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, and that it's completely normal to feel lost, especially when you are trying to figure out so many things.

What develops fully at 25? ›

The development and maturation of the prefrontal cortex occurs primarily during adolescence and is fully accomplished at the age of 25 years.

What are the 3 types of independence? ›

Types of Personal Independence
  • Emotional Independence. Emotional independence means that you don't need to rely on others for happiness. ...
  • Mental Independence. Mentally independent people are able to think for themselves. ...
  • Financial And Professional Independence.

Why do I struggle to be independent? ›

Ultimately, many young adult's fears about independence come down to the fear of not being able to depend on others and feeling alone. A fear of being alone can come from experiencing abandonment so they associate being alone with being abandoned. Fear of being alone could also stem from low self-esteem.

What are independent life skills? ›

Independent living skills are skills that an individual needs in order to perform activities of daily living, including eating, cleaning, and maintaining personal hygiene. Like their sighted counterparts, children with vision impairments can and should begin learning independent living skills from birth.

Is 21 still a kid? ›

In U.S. Immigration Law, a child refers to anyone who is under the age of 21. Some English definitions of the word child include the fetus (sometimes termed the unborn). In many cultures, a child is considered an adult after undergoing a rite of passage, which may or may not correspond to the time of puberty.

Is 20 still a kid? ›

No, childhood ends as adolescence begins. Around 13 years old is already a teen. 20 could be considered a teenager from a physiological POV, considering the frontal lobe isn't fully developed until around 25. But once you're 18, you're considered legally an adult.

What age group feels the loneliest? ›

Among respondents ages 16 to 24, 40% reported feeling lonely very often—the largest group to do so. Loneliness among young adults was 13 percentage points higher than other age groups.

At what age does loneliness peak? ›

Most notably, researchers found that loneliness rates peak among people in their 20s, and reach their lowest point among those in their 60s. Many people also experience a spike in lonely feelings around their mid-40s. These findings are as confounding as they are surprising, at least initially.

Are most people in their 20s depressed? ›

Although the 20s are typically considered the years of exploration and having fun, depression in young adults is not uncommon.

Is it harder to change after 25? ›

Once we reach adulthood at around 25 our brain stops naturally forming new neural pathways and our habits, biases and attitudes become more set in stone and much harder to change. Nevertheless, it isn't impossible to train our brains to changing later in life and throughout adulthood.

How should you be at 25? ›

25 Things You *Should* Be Doing At 25
  1. Get enough sleep. Starting off with a big one! ...
  2. Understand balance. ...
  3. Find contentedness in spending time alone. ...
  4. Keep your car clean(ish) ...
  5. Be able to cook yourself a proper meal. ...
  6. Become more self-aware. ...
  7. Negotiate. ...
  8. Communicate effectively.
Jan 21, 2019

What is the hardest decade of life? ›

Looking first at self-reports of ongoing stress, we found that people experience a sharp increase in stress levels in their late twenties and early thirties. Stress levels increase more moderately during the thirties and forties, remain steady for about 20 years, and then drop sharply as retirement comes around.

What do people most regret not doing in their 20s? ›

However, many people regret not doing more in this crucial period of their lives. Pursuing passion, building relationships, traveling and adventure, personal growth and development, financial management, and taking chances are all areas where people often regret not doing more in their 20s.

Why does mental health get worse in your 20s? ›

While you still have a lot to learn, you probably feel like the development process is over. Mentally, however, as a young adult, you're still not fully grown. Young adults, aged 18 to 29, are still experiencing cognitive development, and this is one of the reasons why mental illness can present at this time of life.

Should I be single in my 20s? ›

Staying single in one's 20s can offer several benefits such as the ability to focus on personal growth and self-discovery, financial stability, and the freedom to pursue individual goals and aspirations without being held back by a romantic relationship.

What age is the best time of your life? ›

Americans agree that mid-30s are best years of life - Study Finds.

What age is most important in life? ›

Recent brain research indicates that birth to age three are the most important years in a child's development. Here are some tips to consider during your child's early years: Be warm, loving, and responsive.

What life stage is 20s? ›

Emerging adulthood is the life stage after the teenaged years, but before full adulthood.

What age do you change the most? ›

One review of 152 longitudinal studies found the biggest changes in personality traits occur from childhood through the 20s. In the 30s, 40s, and 50s, we can and do still change, but these changes come more slowly, and require more effort, said Paul T.

What are your twenties called? ›

A person between 20 and 29 is called a vicenarian. A person between 30 and 39 is called a tricenarian. A person between 40 and 49 is called a quadragenarian. A person between 50 and 59 is called a quinquagenarian. A person between 60 and 69 is called a sexagenarian.

Do you lose face fat in your 20s? ›

Yes your face will continue to change throughout your 20s and 30s. I'm 25 years old and though I'm heavier than I was at 18, my face is much more defined! The baby fat naturally fades away on the face. While every person ages differently, many patients begin to notice signs of facial volume loss starting in their 20s.

What is a midlife crisis in 20s? ›

What is the quarter-life crisis? Similar to the more widely recognized midlife crisis, the quarter-life crisis is a period of uncertainty and questioning that typically occurs when people feel trapped, uninspired and disillusioned during their mid-20s to early 30s.

Which stage of life is most difficult? ›

Adolescence is a period in which young individuals begin to assume adult positions socially. Note: Adolescence is the most difficult period of one's life. There are far too many significant life changes occurring in one's life, such as physical, psychological, and behavioural changes.

Why are people in their 20s so anxious? ›

The brain in your 20s is still going through major development. This can affect things like decision-making, emotion regulation, and impulse control. Because of this, young adults are more vulnerable to mental health issues like anxiety and substance use disorders.

Are your 30s easier than your 20s? ›

Your 20s are hard, but being in your 30s presents a whole new set of challenges. People in their 30s are expected to achieve more and find themselves going down life paths different from their friends'. But your 30s bring a greater level of self-awareness, too. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Do men get stronger in their 20s? ›

Your body is pumping out tons of human growth hormone (HGH) and testosterone, which leads to a peak in muscle mass sometime between ages 18 and 25, says Walter Thompson, Ph. D., a professor of kinesiology, health, and nutrition at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Why am I having trouble getting hard in my 20s? ›

You can experience erectile dysfunction in your 20s; it is normal and common. Many things could be causing your ED, including lifestyle factors, medications, or psychological stress. Overall, there is no need to worry, as there are many changes you can make and medications you can take to help manage your ED.

What happens to the brain at 25? ›

By age 25, the remodel comes to an end and brain development stalls. But, once again, it comes with a few positive side effects: By quarter-life, most of us have figured out how to control our impulses, plan and prioritize well, and organize our lives in a way that gets us to our end goals. We have, in short, grown up.

Why 25 is the age of maturity? ›

Even more surprising is that 2,000 years ago, early Roman law set the age of full maturity at 25, which established the minimum age for young men to independently engage in formal acts and contracts without advisem*nt.

At what age is a woman's brain fully developed? ›

Males and females don't finish brain development until about age 25.

Is it OK to be alone in your 20s? ›

Remember that it's okay to be alone and learn to enjoy your own company: Finally, it's important to remember that it's okay to be alone at times, and to learn to enjoy your own company. Spend time doing activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, and don't be afraid to take time for yourself when you need it.

Is it normal to be alone in your 20s? ›

For many young people, loneliness peaks in their 20s after they graduate from a college or university. It's the first time in our lives where we don't have a built-in system of friends that we see every day.

How to be independent from parents at 20? ›

How to Become Financially Independent From Your Parents
  1. Establish Objectives and a Timeline. ...
  2. Live Beneath Your Means. ...
  3. Pay Your Parents for Rent. ...
  4. Make More Money. ...
  5. Commit to Paying Off and Staying Out of Debt.
Aug 27, 2021

How can I be financially stable at 20? ›

7 Financial To-Dos in your 20s
  1. Develop good budgeting habits. ...
  2. Pay down debt. ...
  3. Automate your savings. ...
  4. Build good credit. ...
  5. Start saving for retirement. ...
  6. Make sure you and your loved ones are covered financially. ...
  7. Work toward owning your home.

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