It’s no secret that anxiety and depression are rising, especially among young adults. If you’re in your twenties or thirties and feeling like life is heavier than it should be, you’re not alone. So many people are trying to make sense of a world that asks for constant productivity, endless optimism, and instant answers. It’s no wonder you’re exhausted.
The Pressure to “Have It Together”
Somewhere along the way, young adulthood turned into a race. You’re told to find the perfect career, build stability, maintain friendships, work out, eat clean, and save for the future, all while projecting calm confidence online. It’s too much. When everyone else seems to be thriving, it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind.
The Weight of Uncertainty
Many young adults started their adult lives during a pandemic, an unstable economy, or both. Financial stress, student loans, and unpredictable job markets can shake even the strongest sense of self. When safety feels uncertain, it makes sense that anxiety follows.
Connected but Lonely
Even with constant digital connection, many people feel lonelier than ever. Group chats and FaceTime can’t replace the kind of closeness that comes from real, in-person connection. After years of isolation, it can take time to feel comfortable showing up again.
The Comparison Trap
Scrolling through everyone’s highlight reels can make your life feel like it’s missing something. Engagements, promotions, picture-perfect apartments — it all adds up. Even when you know it’s filtered, your mind still compares. And that quiet comparison can turn into self-doubt before you realize it.
The Messiness of Becoming
Your twenties and thirties are filled with questions: Who am I? What do I value? What am I building toward? It’s normal to feel lost, even if no one talks about it. Growth doesn’t always look graceful; sometimes it looks like confusion, discomfort, or starting over.
There’s nothing wrong with you for struggling. You’re trying to find stability in a world that moves fast and rarely pauses to ask how you’re doing. But it’s possible to slow down, breathe, and start feeling like yourself again. The first step is remembering that you don’t have to go through it alone.
