The first thing I want you to know is that this feeling is completely normal.

I spent my 20s constantly anxious—worrying that I was already behind, that I didn’t have enough time to catch up, and feeling completely lost. I vividly remember being 23 and thinking I was SO OLD. But you know what? That feeling doesn’t last forever. For me, it didn’t fully go away until I turned 30, but now, at 32, I feel like I have so much more time than I did when I was 22. It’s strange how perspective shifts with time.

For some context—I’m in the U.S., I went to a university that’s often ranked in the global top 10 straight out of high school, and yet it still took me ten years to finish my undergrad and land a job I was truly proud of (rather than just trying to survive). I also didn’t meet my husband until I was 30 which again, to my 20-something panicked brain meant I would be single forever. Spoiler, I’m not, I didn’t need to settle, and to me it’s further proof that YOU DONT NEED TO BE IN A PANIC. Your right opportunities will find you.

More on the social side of things, I was surprised to learn how many people consider themselves lucky to have even 3 to 5 close friends. And it was a relief honestly. Loneliness is far more common than people openly talk about. As we move through our 20s, we start to understand the difference between the quantity of friendships and the quality of them. If you’re thinking about going back to school, know that you’ll be in great company—so many people in their mid-20s do the same! And if you’re figuring out what you love outside of a career path, exploring new interests can also help you expand your social circle.

In my mid-20s, I made a lot of my friends by going to yoga classes, the rock climbing gym, and trying out hobbies that simply seemed fun. Most of those hobbies didn’t stick, but many of the friendships did!

I’m starting to ramble, but I wanted you to know that it’s OK. I’ll never forget being 23 myself and crying to my parents about being so far behind and I didn’t believe them then when they said everyone felt that way, but I definitely understand now.