I’m turning 22 this week. Not 25. Not 30. Just 22. And in those 22 years, I’ve had four jobs, dropped out of university, still live at home, and if I’m being completely honest… I still don’t really know what I’m doing. But here’s the truth: not knowing is okay. Actually, it’s normal.

The Pressure to “Have It All Together”

Somewhere along the line, we were sold this idea that by 25 we should have the dream job, the flat in the city, a healthy relationship, an organised skincare drawer, a morning routine with lemon water and Pilates, and a perfectly curated 5-year plan. But that version of life? It’s more of a fantasy than a reality.

I used to feel like I was constantly behind. Watching people graduate, climb career ladders, move out, get promoted, all while I was quietly changing jobs, living at home, trying to make sense of it all. It’s exhausting, constantly measuring yourself against timelines that aren’t even yours.

How Social Media Warps Our Sense of Time

Let’s be real: Instagram and TikTok don’t help. We’re fed a constant stream of people our age (or younger) “figuring it out”, becoming CEOs, travelling the world, landing dream opportunities, or simply looking like they’ve got it all under control. But behind every curated feed is someone who has probably felt lost too. They just don’t post that part.

What we don’t see are the breakdowns. The rejections. The panic. The late-night job hunting, the burnout, the imposter syndrome. So we scroll and compare, without even realising we’re comparing someone’s showreel to our blooper reel.

The Reality of Your Early Twenties

The truth is, your twenties are not about perfection. They’re about learning, unlearning, messing up, changing your mind, pivoting, falling down, getting back up, and trying again. I’ve had jobs that didn’t fit, walked away from things I once thought I wanted, and made scary decisions like leaving uni – all of which taught me more than any rigid plan ever could.

Living at home? Not a failure. Taking a break? Not falling behind. Still figuring it out? That’s literally what this stage of life is for.

What I Do Know at 22

I may not have a 10-year plan, but I know what kind of work drains me. I know how to stand up for my mental health. I know I want a life that feels mine — not just one that looks good online. I know now that progress isn’t always loud, and success isn’t always linear.

Sometimes, simply making it through the week is enough. Sometimes, hitting pause is the most productive thing you can do.

You’re Not Behind — You’re Just Living

So if you’re sitting there feeling stuck, behind, or overwhelmed by what you should have achieved by now — take a breath. You are not running late to your own life. Everyone moves at their own pace, and the best stories are often the most unexpected.

There is no rulebook for your twenties. And even if there was, I’m pretty sure it would be blank.