The Bus Stop: A Twenties Crossroads

Written By Helen Gifford

Supporting Young Adults in Transition

Simon looked up, his eye twitching like a flickering bulb. He stared around the office, past the cheery pot plants, inclusive posters, and coffee station, out over the sea of hoodies and suit jackets, the mark of those desk-bound and client-facing. His screen glowed with an HD spreadsheet, rows of numbers that were meant to matter, though lately, he wasn’t sure why. The clock ticked slowly toward 5 pm… again.

Standing at the bus stop in the drizzle, he questioned how he ended up here. He had followed the “right” path: suffered through school, kept his head down, avoided the bullies, and got the grades. He loved the respite of sixth form, balancing results with house parties, and stolen kisses. He chose a degree, moved away, took on substantial student loans, and had a bar job that left him exhausted. He worked hard. And now he stood at a bus stop, rain seeping under his collar, barely earning enough to cover rent, living for a few pints at the weekend, with friends who seemed to have it more together than him. This can’t be it. This can’t be my life.

Simon’s doubts aren’t unique. Research shows that young adults in their early 20s in the UK are facing rising financial and career pressures. Many struggle to feel secure in their work, with opportunities often falling short of expectations. Countless young people are questioning whether the path they followed; study hard, get the grades, secure a job, actually leads to fulfilment. Simon’s sense of being “behind” or disconnected mirrors the experience of a generation navigating an increasingly uncertain landscape.

The Weight of Expectations

For some, like Simon, the so-called ‘right path’ came with privilege and pressure; for others, that path might never have been open. Yet the same question echoes across backgrounds - what now? Simon’s story is familiar. Many young adults in their early 20s feel trapped between expectation and reality, achievement and fulfilment. The “right path” - study hard, get the grades, secure a career - promises stability, but can deliver exhaustion, confusion, and disconnection. The future that has been planned for years doesn’t match the dream.

Therapeutically, this can be a time of exploration. Starting with an awareness of thoughts like “I’ve failed” or “I should be further along”, which are common at this time. Feeling lost or “behind” is not a sign of weakness; it’s a reflection of how life milestones have become linearised and rigid in the eyes of society. But success has a variety of measures.

When Simon reflects on his friendships, he can see different versions of success: Zara, who lives barista-paycheck to paycheck but finds joy in developing their art and has just earned a commission, Taylor, who is just back from travelling in Japan, Megan and Josh, who are moving in together and choosing a puppy. Jack, who has just been promoted in a large legal firm, suited and booted. All are doing something different, but to Simon, they all seem to have direction.

Noticing the Disconnection

In session, a therapist might notice: Simon is out of touch with his direction and sense of meaning. He knows what he should be doing, but this isn’t bringing comfort. The body often holds these cues: tension, fatigue, a flickering eye, a sense of boredom, lack of choice. These physical signals can share unmet needs, stress, and the disconnect between self and environment.

We can explore questions like:

Where in your week do you feel energy, curiosity, or joy?

Where do your thoughts go when you explore a fantasy world?

What small choices could bring a sense of agency back?

What pressures are external, and which are internalised expectations?

The Power of Small Shifts

For someone like Simon, therapy isn’t always about a single big breakthrough. It’s about micro-shifts, noticing patterns, and gently expanding options. Even recognising the pressure itself can provide relief. Because the path for young adults is so prescriptive, it doesn’t offer space to reflect, to acknowledge the sense of overwhelm, and the gap between expectation and experience. This opens a doorway to reflection and autonomy.

Ways to explore this may be:

Journaling: exploring “what I want to feel” rather than “what I should do.”

Small experiments: taking an evening course, volunteering, or reconnecting with old hobbies.

Mindfulness: noticing the moments of contentment; laughing with friends, feeling safe at home, when the numbers in the spreadsheet fall into line.

Belonging and Connection

Young adults navigating early careers often experience isolation. Education is often a space where friends are seen daily, and students go home to loved ones. Post-education looks very different. Friends move away, lifestyles diversify, and social media amplifies comparison.

Sometimes, belonging doesn’t come from success or achievement - it comes from being witnessed, understood, and validated. As therapists, mentors, or peers, we can say:

“It’s okay to not have it all figured out. You’re allowed to explore.”

Reflection

Simon’s story doesn’t end with a tidy solution. He doesn’t magically know the perfect career or life path. But he begins to notice, reflect, and experiment — small acts that reclaim agency and align with his values.

For many young adults, this stage is less about clarity and more about curiosity. Early 20s can feel directionless, but with patience, reflection, and support, it can become a period of playful and exciting discovery.

💭 Reflective Question:

How do you hold space for young adults in this stage of uncertainty? How do you help them explore meaning rather than just success?

Whether you are reading as a professional, a parent or someone interested in therapy, I would love to hear your thoughts and reflections. Please share a comment or message.
Until next time,
💛🌿 Helen

If you are interested in supporting young people, join me for a workshop exploring the complex systems young people navigate and the ones we can lean on as professionals supporting them.

If you’d like to support my work or are interested in learning more about working therapeutically with young people, you can:
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Buy my book ☕ and/or Buy me a virtual toasted teacake or cuppa on Ko-fi 💛

Note:

As always, today’s vignette is fictional, drawn from composite experiences to protect confidentiality.

📊 Key Statistics on Financial Insecurity and Career Pressures

  • Financial Insecurity: In 2022/23, 47% of UK adults experienced financial insecurity, up from 29% in 2014/15. LSE

  • NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training): As of February 2025, there were 987,000 young people aged 16–24 who were NEET, an increase of 110,000 from the previous year. Office for National Statistics

  • Youth Unemployment: In 2025, the unemployment rate for young people aged 16–24 was 14.5%, up from 13.7% the previous year. House of Commons Library

  • Economic Insecurity: Approximately 44% of UK adults, or 20.3 million people, are financially vulnerable, with 3.5 million having high debt. Fair4All Finance

  • Financial Expectations: In early 2023, 42% of UK adults reported they did not expect to save any money in the next 12 months, an increase from 36% in 2022. Office for National Statistics

📚 References

Helen Gifford
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