16 Best Things You Should Do In Your 20s
Your 20s feel like a roller coaster. One moment you’re on top of the world, and the next you’re staring into a tub of ice cream, wondering if you made the right choices.
You want to have it all figured out, but adulthood doesn’t always work that way. It’s messy. Some days it feels like you’re getting it right, and others you’re completely lost.
This decade can be scary and confusing, but it’s also full of opportunity. It’s the best time to try new things, learn who you are, and see what life offers.
You’ve got youth and energy on your side. Even if you’re broke and eating instant noodles more often than you’d like, you still have the drive to push forward.
And here’s the truth—you don’t need to figure everything out. Honestly, none of us do, even after a lifetime.
Instead of chasing all the answers, focus on the actions. Sometimes, just doing things is what moves you forward.
In this post, I’m sharing 16 things to do in your 20s that can help you enjoy these years and also prepare for what comes next.
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1. Travel as much as you can
Travel changes the way you see the world.
It doesn’t always mean buying a plane ticket to another continent.
Sometimes it’s taking a road trip to a nearby city or exploring a place in your own country you’ve never been.
The point is to get out of your comfort zone.
Travel teaches you independence, patience, and how to handle the unexpected.
Your 20s are the perfect time because you often have fewer responsibilities holding you back.
2. Learn how to manage money
I ignored this at first, and it cost me.
Money might not buy happiness, but not knowing how to handle it can definitely cause stress.
Start with the basics—budgeting, saving, and avoiding unnecessary debt.
Even small steps, like putting aside a little each month, add up over time.
The habits you build now can shape your entire financial future.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
3. Try new hobbies
Your 20s are not the time to box yourself in.
This is when you should try things just because they interest you.
Pick up painting, join a sports club, learn photography, or try cooking.
Some hobbies will stick, others won’t, and that’s okay.
The point is to explore what makes you feel alive.
You’ll discover skills and passions you didn’t know you had.
4. Build strong friendships
Friends in your 20s can feel like family.
These are the people you laugh with, cry with, and grow with.
Invest time in relationships that feel genuine.
Don’t hold on to toxic friendships out of habit.
Quality matters more than quantity.
The bonds you build now may carry you through life’s biggest challenges later.
5. Take care of your health
When you’re young, it’s easy to think your body will always bounce back.
But the habits you set in your 20s matter.
Eat food that fuels you, move your body regularly, and get enough sleep.
It doesn’t have to be perfect—just consistent.
Caring for your health now makes it easier to enjoy your 30s, 40s, and beyond.
6. Learn to be okay alone
I used to think being alone meant being lonely.
But your 20s teach you that’s not true.
Spending time by yourself helps you understand who you are.
It gives you space to reflect and grow without outside noise.
When you’re comfortable being alone, you rely less on others for happiness.
7. Take risks while you can
This is the decade for risk-taking.
I don’t mean reckless choices that put your life in danger.
I mean starting a business, moving to a new city, or trying a career that excites you.
The older you get, the more responsibilities you may carry.
Your 20s give you more freedom to fail and try again.
8. Read books that challenge you
I’m not talking about textbooks or assignments.
I mean books that make you think differently.
Some will inspire you, some will teach you, and some will simply comfort you.
Reading in your 20s gives you knowledge and perspective you can carry for life.
It’s like food for your mind and soul.
9. Work different jobs
It’s rare to land your “dream job” in your 20s.
And that’s okay.
This is the time to try different roles, industries, and workplaces.
Every job, even the ones you hate, teaches you something.
You’ll figure out what you want, what you don’t, and what skills you bring to the table.
These lessons are worth more than you think.
10. Focus on experiences, not just things
I used to spend money on stuff I didn’t need, and honestly, it didn’t make me happier.
But the trips I took, the concerts I went to, the simple dinners with friends—those are the memories that stuck.
Experiences bring more joy and stay with you far longer than material things.
Your 20s are about making those memories.
11. Learn from failure
You will fail in your 20s.
At work, in relationships, in personal goals.
But failure isn’t the end.
It’s feedback.
The more you fail, the more you learn what works and what doesn’t.
Instead of fearing it, see it as part of growth.
Failure now is a lesson that can save you from bigger mistakes later.
12. Build good daily habits
Your 20s can feel chaotic, but habits give you stability.
Waking up early, staying active, journaling, or setting aside time for planning—all of these add structure to your day.
The small habits you create now can shape the person you’ll be for decades.
Don’t underestimate the power of daily routines.
13. Volunteer or give back
Helping others gives life meaning.
Find a cause you care about and spend time giving back.
It could be as simple as helping at a food bank or mentoring younger students.
You gain perspective, gratitude, and a sense of community.
The act of giving shapes your character in ways nothing else can.
14. Keep learning
Graduating school doesn’t mean learning stops.
In fact, your 20s are the best time to keep growing your mind.
Take online courses, learn a new language, or practice a skill you’ve always wanted.
Staying curious keeps life interesting and prepares you for opportunities you can’t see yet.
15. Take care of your mental health
This one is important.
Your 20s bring a lot of pressure—career, relationships, identity.
It’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Don’t ignore it.
Talk to friends, journal, or see a therapist if you need to.
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
16. Enjoy the ride
Above all, remember this: your 20s don’t have to be perfect.
They’re not supposed to be.
This decade is about trying, exploring, and figuring things out as you go.
Don’t compare yourself to others.
Don’t rush the process.
Enjoy the freedom, the mistakes, and the discoveries.
This time only comes once, so make the most of it.
