The whole concept of "finding yourself" is a difficult one to give advice on because the experience is going to be different for everyone. You might feel totally solid in who you are by the time you're 25, or you may be 38 and wondering if you've chosen the right career path.
While the process is different for everyone, there are some experiences and things you should do while you're young that can help you on the path to becoming who you're going to be.
Pick Up A Book
Chances are if you're a recent graduate, you haven't spent much time in the last few years actually reading for fun. The time has come for that. A lot of people love reading because it's a way to escape while still in the confines of your bedroom, so explore some new genres or learn something from a biography.
Become The Rock
It's good to get in shape so that you're healthy, but it's also a way for you to test your body's limits. Commit to running a triathlon or training for a bodybuilding competition, then start working. See what you can accomplish!
Volunteer Some Of Your Time
Just like picking up a new hobby, volunteering is a great way to try new things with the added bonus of helping others in the process. Having a volunteer position can help you meet people in a new city or gain career experience if you're looking to pivot careers, and it gives you something to do on Saturday afternoons.
Spend More Time By Yourself
You don't need to become a hermit or lock yourself away in a tower, but try doing more things by yourself. If there's a concert you really want to go to but none of your friends want to go, why not go alone?
Date For The Sole Purpose Of Dating
Don't be the person who is dating to find their husband when they're only 23. You have plenty of time to find your spouse or your soulmate or whatever you want to call it. Focus instead on dating simply to date and interact with new people and have life experiences.
Learn To Live Within Your Means
Focus less on material goods and build proper spending habits. Figure out a monthly budget, determine how much you should actually be spending on your rent every month, and find fulfillment through activities other than buying new shoes.
Set Some Real Goals For Yourself
We're not saying you need to sit down and sketch out your 5- or 10-year plan (you can if you want to though!), but thinking about what you're actually working towards is important. Where do you want to be in six months or a year from now?
Consider Going Back To School
"Should I go to grad school?" is the equivalent to "should I get bangs?" when you're in your 20s. It's not a decision you should commit to lightly, but pursuing a new degree or going back to school is a way you can change your perspective and your life.
Get Away From Social Media
You've heard it for years, but now it's time to do it. Spend less time scrolling through Instagram or watching videos on Tik Tok and actually live your life. Go to a concert without posting 12 Snapchat videos of it, or go to a friend's birthday party, take one or two photos then put your phone away and enjoy the experience.
Spend More Time With Parents
Your parents have a lot of wisdom to share with you, and even if you feel like they don't always get you, they're still the people who have known you for literally your entire life and they can help you figure out your life.
Determine What Your Strengths And Weaknesses Are
And don't just go with your surface-level qualities, like that you're a "nice person" or you spend too much time on Facebook. Spend some time thinking about what you bring to the table and what you need to work on personally.
Be More Selective With Your Time
"No" is a full sentence. You're not obligated to over-explain or come up with some elaborate excuse as to why you don't want to do something. Your time is important, so learn to be more selective and only spend your time doing activities or going to events you're actually interested in.
Try A Whole Bunch Of New Hobbies
You don't need to be completely fulfilled by your career, and picking up hobbies is the perfect way to counteract that. Learn how to play a new instrument, join a conversational Spanish group, or find an adult league for a sport you used to love when you were younger.
Figure Out What's Behind Your Urge To Leave
If you have this persistent urge to quit your job and move to a remote village in Thailand, consider the reason behind it. You don't like your job? Look for a new one! Your roommate makes you want to never come out of your room? Don't renew your lease.
Practice More Self-Reflection
Spend more time getting to know yourself in general. Reflect on the decisions you make, on how you feel on a daily basis, on how you feel about yourself. There's no better time than today to get to know yourself.
Have Fun Without Alcohol
You're finally in your 20s, so you're old enough to drink legally, but make sure that you're not relying on alcohol to have fun. Your mom actually was right when she told you you could have fun without alcohol. Try doing something like a dry month to see how it affects you or changes your social interactions.
Think About What You Would Do If You Won The Lottery
It seems like a weird activity because chances are you aren't going to win the lottery, but there's a point to it. You should spend time thinking about what you would do if you had unlimited funds because it'll reveal the things that are most important to you. Once you know what you value or what you want to accomplish, figure out how to make it happen in real life.
Take A Local Weekend Trip
Don't go full-on Eat Pray Love and book the next flight to Indonesia, but getting away from your surroundings for a weekend can be great. Take a train ride to a nearby city or a road trip within your state to give yourself a new perspective without damaging your wallet.
Don't Focus On Being "Good" At Everything You Do
You don't have to be perfect at everything you do, and you're going to learn a lot more from the things you aren't great at compared to the things that you ace. Don't be afraid of trying things because you might not get it right immediately.