Many people believe that their 20s will be the best years of their lives. These are the years when you’re typically in good health, have lots of energy and free time, and are old enough to make your own decisions but young enough to be still flexible.

While this period can be a time of exploration and self-discovery, it can also be a time of great challenges. For many, the 20s are a time when they face pressure to graduate from school and begin adult life that will constantly pull them in different directions, sometimes even causing a midlife crisis.

1. Your responsibilities are increasing, but your income isn’t always keeping up.

In a nutshell — high expenses, and low pay.

Most of us in our 20s are still starting out in our careers and working our way up the corporate ladder. We don’t have as much experience as someone in their 30s or 40s to negotiate for better benefits and often must work longer hours for lower pay.

Whether you’re planning for a wedding, buying a home, or saving for your child’s birth, this is also the time when you’re likely to make some of the most significant and biggest purchases of your life. We’re talking about juggling student and housing loans, parents’ pocket money, and other expenses — all while trying to save for the future.

Dare To Finance’s Quarter-life Crisis Advice

Learning how to manage your personal finances is an essential life skill, and it’s one that will pay off in the long run. The earlier you learn how to budget and save, the better off you’ll be down the road. We recommend first calculating the minimum amount of expenses you would need every month, understanding your short, medium, and long goals, and having at least 10% of your income towards a self-love fund.

Do also take advantage of compound interest by investing early and often. We recommend starting your investment journey with ETFs. You may not earn much money yet, but you have time on your side. It’s better to make investing mistakes early and learn from them in your 20s. So the next time you’re having a midlife crisis, breathe and tell yourself that life does not get easier, you simply get smarter.

2. It’s hard to maintain healthy relationships.

Maintaining healthy relationships with both family and friends can be difficult, especially when you’re always busy with work. It’s easy to let work or other obligations take precedence over your personal life.

However, we may not always realise it, but our relationships are constantly changing and evolving throughout our lives, just like we are. In order to maintain a strong connection with someone, we need to put in the effort to keep the relationship healthy and alive.

Dare To Finance’s Quarter-life Crisis Advice

Other than investing your money, investing in your relationships will make your life richer and more fulfilling. The key to maintaining healthy relationships is communication, a conscious effort, and compromise. It may not always be easy, but it’s worth it to invest in the people you care about.

Let your family and friends know your schedule and make sure you set aside time each month to connect. Whether it’s calling your parents once a week or getting together with friends for coffee, taking the time to nurture your relationships will make a world of difference to your midlife crisis. After all, our relationships are what give our lives meaning and purpose. Without them, we would be lost.

3. You’re still trying to figure out who you are and what you want.

Your 20s are a time of big transition and change. You’re leaving the comfort and familiarities of school behind and striking out into the real world. When you look around, it sometimes feels like everyone else is doing better than you are. You see your friends posting about their new houses, happy families, and successful careers that it’s so easy to feel like you’re falling short, especially if you’re uncertain about your own future.

Dare To Finance’s Quarter-life Crisis Advice

It’s not hard to feel like you’re falling behind when you compare yourself to others. Remember that everyone has their own unique talents and abilities, and there is more than one path to success.

Focus on what does success mean to you? For some, success might mean achieving financial stability or climbing the corporate ladder. For others, it might mean being able to spend more time with family or pursuing a passion.

There is no right or wrong answer– find your own definition of success. What makes you happy? What are you passionate about? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you can begin taking steps toward making it happen.

Embrace Both The Good And Bad To Make The Most Out Of Your 20s

Your 20s are a time of intense pressure to succeed professionally, financially, and socially.

Society dictates that you need to have your life together by this point. You’re expected to find a good job after graduation, make progress on your career goals, and save for retirement. At the same time, you’re also supposed to start a family and maintain contact with friends. The pressure can be overwhelming at times, causing a midlife crisis.

This is not without reason, though. This is because the choices we make in our 20s have a particularly strong impact that sets the stage for the rest of our lives. Make wise choices and you lay the foundation for a brighter future. Make the wrong ones and you may have to work harder in your 30s and 40s.

Yes, this decade may be tough, but it can also be some of the best and most fulfilling years of your life. So embrace it, enjoy it, and use it to build the future you’ve always dreamed of. After all, it only comes once.