I’m in my early 20s and feel so lost. I have a good job, I make good money for my age/location, but I’m not happy? I always had a plan for the future but I feel like I reached my goals don’t know what to do now. Any advice? How do you get past the post college rut?

Brief Disclaimer:
I am 22 years old and am still learning so much about not only the professional world, but about myself. I am just sharing my thoughts and habits that have helped me escape the rut.

Every goal I set for my early 20s I've accomplished, but I either don't feel like it's enough and/or don't know what to do next. I'd say part of this lack of fulfillment comes from dedicating so much of your college years/early 20s toward staying ahead of the curve that can push you further along professionally and financially. While on one hand, its an incredible feeling not having the stress of finding a sustainable job + working toward building savings & investments BUT on the other hand, it can bring a certain loneliness/ a "what now?" attitude/ and even a need to further compare yourself to others in order to motivate you to be even better.

Here are some things that helped me:
1. Join at least 1 group activity outside of work.
This can be either a sport, volunteer event, or a club. Make sure its something you can maintain that isn't too demanding of your time but instead is something to look forward to after work or on the weekend. The goal here is building relationships outside of work and knowing that your value is not from what you produce but who you are.

2. Create your personal bucket list and challenge yourself to work on it once a week
Power up a notes app or google doc and just start writing down things you want to do. Some bucket list items for me: Get through an entire recipe book, travel to Morocco, perform stand up comedy, write a children's book on cybersecurity, and beat Legos Star Wars. Anytime you see somebody doing something you deem cool or brave, add it to the list. You don't have to accomplish each mini goal but use it to motivate you to try something new at least once a week.

3. If you don’t already, go to therapy.
We all have some struggle that we bring with us throughout life. It can be a struggle caused unresolved trauma, grief, stress, self esteem issues, relationships. This struggle takes a toll on your physical and mental well-being in a way that can have an adverse effect on how you see yourself and others. The more you ignore it, the more it can take a toll long term. I am not a qualified mental health professional but personally therapy has greatly improved my self esteem & compassion, sense of belonging, and increased my motivation to grow as an individual. It has improved my relationship with my partner, my family, and myself. For someone who also struggles with the “post college rut”, I highly recommend sharing these thoughts with a professional and forming a plan to ease these thoughts or turn them into something that fulfills you.

4. Start building habits
Read “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. It’s not my favorite book but its a really interesting book to read if you are in your “self improvement phase”. From there, think about a few things that you could do everyday that would drastically improve

Oof same position here…

I think many of us early-career people suffer with focusing too much on work for too long. Trust me, I am very career-oriented, but you are unlikely to be happy if you only focus on professional goals. Genuine relationships are so important to build and we should work to live, not live to work. Try to find a few hobbies and social activities to focus on as well as work!

Professional Goals are only a part of our lives. Try to find things you enjoy outside work and enjoy what you’ve achieved . I’m sure you’ll find the next thing you want soon but till then enjoy some peace.

Same problem. I think I need a boyfriend. 😂

If you’re a new associate at BCG, @OP, then we are in the same boat. Happy to chat about what has helped me over the last year since leaving college

SAME

Honestly I feel the same! I joined the military straight after HS & did that for 7 years. With no break in between, I went straight to consulting. It pays well and the work isn’t hard either. For some reason though, I am not happy and I feel like I’m missing something. I don’t know if it’s a much needed vacation or a new environment but either way, I hope to figure it out soon. I’m in my mid 20s and I feel like I’m having a crisis.

Hey I just want to say that you are not alone. I'm in the process of discovering new goals myself. A few things that helped me:
- Talking to close friends and mentors. A lot of times, they know me better than I know myself
- Building good habits that will serve me for years to come. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg is a pretty good book that helped me start
While I may not know the next destination/goal/opportunity yet, I'm trying my best to (1) enjoy what I have and (2) prepare myself to be ready for execution once I figure things out

Save up for a house. Set goals for yourself and you’ll find those goals overtaking that empty space in your head. You’ll create a sense of need and another direction. Take boxing lessons. Go out and get fit. Do stuff that keeps your mind healthy and busy to create new routines. Go out on the weekends and meet people. Try new things.

all these people trying to be inspiring, but let's be real.

pick up some narcissistic hobby that you'll never be fully content with, like cars or watches, and you'll see how much motivation and direction you'll get from that

Ask yourself why you are doing the things you are doing. In my case, I did what I did so I can enjoy life— so I do. Now I focus my energy on enriching my relationships, my hobbies, and whatever random interests take my fancy

Take some time off. Ask yourself where you expected yourself to be? Are you there yet? If not, how long will it take? Make a life plan, hope for the best, be humble, and you’ll be happy.

Know the one who came by water and blood. He would give you a satisfying purpose that never ends like rivers flowing with living water. Our professional purposes are futile so not surprised you'd feel this way. DM for more

Take three vacations a year, form a solid friend group that aligns with what you like, exercise daily, set career goals.

Same boat - need to find more fulfilling work. Busting it 9-5 for 2 paychecks a month is pain.

I see the Quarter Life crisis is universal.

These are some questions I’m using to help myself. Do I know myself well yet? Have I had honest conversations with myself. Is what I’m doing what I want to do? Is consulting what I want to do. I write down thoughts. Write out explicitly what variables or multitude of things are bothering me. That’s me.

You don’t have to write, but talk with your friends, family, mentors. Intake information, intake advice from all areas. Read. Explore.

Understand your margin of error is high still relative to the rest of your “longer than you think” life. This is helping me.

May be time to define and solidify your value system. To acknowledge the grey and define your own black and white. What do you want to aim for? Where do you see yourself in 5 years…. A family? As a social worker? Living in Costa Rica? You’re a consultant. You adapt, improvise, overcome, and action… depending on your own situation… it may be well within your power

Volunteer somewhere for 1-2 hours per week

Fill your nights with wild romps and your poison of choice (alcohol, etc) like the rest of America

Jokes aside - save for a house, if you have a house, save for a vacation home if that’s up your alley. If you’ve got a SO, save for a wedding or a honeymoon you really want.

Take up a hobby or physical activity - I focus on improving my golf game and archery