18 Of The Biggest Mistakes To Avoid In Your 20s (People Are Sharing What They Wish They Knew Sooner)

Your 20s feel like this wild mix of huge personal growth... and some pretty epic mistakes. I don’t know about you, but looking back, I barely recognize who I was at the start of the decade compared to now in my late 20s.

A Reddit user recently asked: “What’s the biggest mistake you see people making in their 20s?”

The thread exploded with honest, hard-earned advice. Here are some of the most upvoted and eye-opening responses (lightly edited for clarity and length): 

 

1. Not building a real network of friends and mentors. It’s easy to chase wanderlust and move around a lot in your 20s, but without a solid base of peers and older mentors, you can end up feeling rootless with no real community or support system. — u/PersonOfInterest85 
2. Taking everything way too seriously. Life will force you to rebuild multiple times — careers, relationships, identities. Go easier on yourself, loosen up, and stop stressing every little thing. — u/circumbinary
3. Not saving or investing early enough. Time is literally your biggest advantage when it comes to compound growth. Most people waste it completely in their 20s. — u/frostbite7112
4. Rushing to “arrive” at your dream life too fast. You can’t force big progress. Trying to hack or shortcut your way there often lands you in debt, the wrong relationship, a job you hate, or a path that’s not right for you. Slow down, figure out what you actually want, and learn how to get there properly. — u/beartheminus
5. Getting married before you truly know yourself. A lot of people rush into lifelong commitments without enough self-awareness, and it leads to major problems down the road. — u/cassturama
6. Ruining your credit score early. It’s shockingly easy to mess up your credit, and insanely hard (and slow) to fix it once damaged. — u/SparkleCobraDude
7. Trying to act superior or “above” your peers. The older you get, the more you realize life isn’t a competition. Chasing status or trying to one-up others just leaves you empty. — u/neildegrassebyeson
8. Skipping sunscreen (seriously). Sun damage adds up fast. Your future skin will thank you if you start protecting it now. — u/Mirzabah7
9. Wasting time on alcohol, toxic people, drama, and gossip. Have fun, but remember life moves quickly — don’t let temporary highs steal years from your growth and peace. — u/BigSky04
10. Settling into serious relationships too early without exploring the world or yourself. So many people pass up huge opportunities (travel, career moves, self-discovery) because they’re scared of being alone. — u/Some_Worker_2554
11. Being too afraid to try new things because of what others might think. Fear of judgment keeps people stuck in safe, boring routines they later regret. — u/Longjumping_College
12. Prioritizing work over health, community, and personal growth. Burnout is real — people in their early 30s have had strokes or major health crises from years of nonstop high-stress jobs. Balance matters. — u/mediocre-spice
13. Starting nicotine (vaping, smoking, dip) thinking “I won’t get addicted.” Almost everyone who starts ends up hooked. It’s not worth it. — u/kneumeis
14. Forgetting you’ll need this body for the next 60+ years. Take care of your joints, back, hearing, posture — the wear and tear adds up fast if you ignore it now. — u/ButtSexington3rd
15. Thinking social media and constant tech are essential for life and relationships. They’re tools, not necessities. Real emotional regulation and basic social skills build deeper connections way better than any app. — u/kafkaluddy
16. Going into unnecessary debt for lifestyle stuff. Flashy purchases feel good short-term but create long-term stress. — u/Aggravating-Bat-1704
17. Regretting both not saving enough AND not traveling more. (A bittersweet one from someone now 30): “I wish I’d managed money better and traveled the world more — but doing one fully would’ve prevented the other. Just make small healthy choices, build on them, and enjoy life as much as you can. That’s enough.” — u/jiujitsuwolf
18. Comparing your timeline to everyone else’s on social media. Careers, relationships, money — everyone moves at their own pace. Your 20s are for learning, messing up, and figuring things out — not for having it all “done.” Stop stressing over other people’s highlight reels. — u/SecretaryFar2534

These lessons hit hard because they come from real people looking back. A lot of this advice stays relevant well into your 30s and 40s too.

Which one resonates with you the most right now? Drop it in the comm