Navigating Your 20s with a 22-Year-Old: Am a Failure?
Your 20s are all about figuring things out—sometimes the hard way. In this post, I’m sharing my story about moving to Florida at 18, thinking I had it all planned out, and realizing pretty quickly that life had other ideas. Spoiler: it didn’t work out the way I hoped, but the lessons I learned were worth it. If you’re in your 20s and trying to navigate big decisions, take risks, and grow from your mistakes, this one’s for you. Let’s get real about the ups and downs of figuring life out. Perfect for anyone seeking inspiration and encouragement to take bold leaps in life.
Alright, I’ve decided to turn this into a series because honestly, I love sharing my wins and losses with you all. Let’s keep it real—life in your 20s is a mix of triumphs, missteps, and figuring it all out as you go. I want to talk about the things I’m still struggling with and the areas where I’m actually making progress. Life is all about taking it one step at a time and pacing yourself, even when the path gets messy.
First things first: making the “right” decision 100% of the time? Not possible. Let me tell you about a big move I made that totally flopped. Picture this: during the height of COVID, my 18-year-old self decided to move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to attend a private university. I needed a change, and Florida seemed like the perfect escape. Spoiler alert—it was not. But here’s the thing: even in the chaos of that decision, I learned some lessons that shaped me.
One of the biggest takeaways? Don’t try to force something to work when you know deep down it won’t. I didn’t have a car, which technically wasn’t required for campus life, but let me tell you, it made every single task unnecessarily difficult. On top of that, I had no income, which kept me constantly stressed about money. Looking back, it wasn’t the end of the world—I probably could’ve gotten an on-campus job and used it as a way to meet people. But back then, my 18-year-old brain wasn’t thinking that far ahead.
Oh, and friends? Let’s just say the timing couldn’t have been worse. It was the middle of COVID, so three out of four of my classes were online. Nobody turned their cameras on (myself included), which made connecting with people nearly impossible. I felt isolated, miserable, and honestly a little depressed. I started flying home once a month just to see my mom, and eventually, I begged her to let me come back for good.
So, I transferred after just one semester. At the time, it felt like a massive failure. But looking back, I realize it wasn’t the wrong decision—it was just the wrong time. Funny enough, I ended up moving back to Florida two years later, this time with my best friend Jacky. And guess what? I loved it. I had so much fun and made amazing memories, but that’s a story for another day.
What I’ve learned from all of this is that taking chances, even if they don’t work out, is always worth it. Moving to Florida at 18 wasn’t a match made in heaven, but it taught me resilience. It showed me how to listen to my gut and adapt when things don’t go as planned. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything because it gave me the clarity and courage to take more leaps in the future.
So, if you’re in your 20s and trying to figure it all out, here’s my advice: take those big risks. Chase the opportunities that excite you, even if they’re a little scary. Every leap you take will give you the knowledge, experience, and confidence you need to keep growing. And trust me, you’ll look back and be proud of yourself for trying, no matter how it turns out.