If you’re in your late teens or twenties and feel like you’re supposed to be figuring everything out—but instead you’re stuck in a swirl of “what am I doing with my life?”—you are not alone.
Maybe you’re juggling part-time jobs and wondering if you’ll ever land in a career that feels meaningful.
Maybe your relationship status is more “it’s complicated” than anything else.
Or maybe you’re just tired of feeling like you’re supposed to have a five-year plan when you’re still learning how to do your taxes.
This stage of life is packed with transition, pressure, and comparison—which makes it the perfect breeding ground for overwhelm.
And we don’t talk about it enough.
Let’s talk about stress in young adults, what’s causing it, and how to actually take care of your mental health when you’re still figuring out who you are.
What is the highest source of stress for young adults?
It’s no surprise that the biggest source of stress in young adults is uncertainty. The kind that shows up in every corner of life. “Should I go back to school or keep working?” “Is this relationship even real?” “Am I falling behind?” “Is this who I really want to be?”
So many people in this stage are facing multiple unknowns at once.
School, jobs, dating, family pressure, financial instability, identity exploration, mental health—it all stacks up. And when you don’t feel settled in any area, it makes the whole thing feel impossible to manage.
There’s also the internal pressure to succeed, to be original, to find purpose, to look good doing it, and to never make mistakes along the way. That’s a tall order for anyone, let alone someone just starting out in adult life.
So if you’ve been feeling like your brain is always running and your body is always tense, you’re not broken. You’re responding to a real, overwhelming season—and you deserve support through it.
What are the main causes of stress in young people?
Let’s name them, because it helps to say them out loud:
- Career confusion – Whether you’re unemployed, underemployed, or wondering if your degree was even worth it, work is a huge cause of stress in young adults. The pressure to find something “stable and fulfilling” feels impossible when you’re still figuring out what you like or what your options even are.
- Money and independence – Rent is high, groceries are expensive, and there’s no class in school for “how to be financially okay.” The pressure to become independent fast, while still learning how to budget or save, is overwhelming.
- Situationships and dating – Welcome to the era of ghosting, mixed signals, and unclear labels. Emotional confusion in relationships is a massive stressor for many young adults who want connection but are afraid of commitment, rejection, or both.
- Family pressure and expectations – Whether you’re living at home or navigating family from afar, it’s hard to establish your own identity when expectations from parents or cultural norms are weighing heavily on your shoulders.
- Comparison culture – Thanks to social media, it’s easy to feel like everyone else is thriving while you’re still figuring things out. The highlight reel effect makes the stress in young adults feel even more isolating.
- Mental health awareness without the resources – Many young people are more aware of mental health than generations before, which is amazing—but that doesn’t mean they always have access to the care they need.
If you recognize yourself in this list, take a breath. You are not failing. You are navigating a complex world at a complex age, and you are doing your best. That matters.
Why are Gen Z so stressed?
Let’s be clear: Gen Z didn’t invent stress. But they are carrying a unique kind of it.
Gen Z grew up in a world of constant access to information, 24/7 connectivity, and an internet that never sleeps. That means they’re more aware of the world’s problems—and more personally impacted by them.
Climate change. Political unrest. Rising cost of living.
A global pandemic during formative years. Student loans. Job insecurity. Social justice fatigue. It’s a lot, and it’s all happening against the backdrop of trying to just grow up.
The stress in young adults today isn’t just about personal issues—it’s also about the state of the world and the pressure to “make an impact” while feeling emotionally and physically burnt out.
Add in the cultural shift toward hustle culture and perfectionism online, and it makes sense why Gen Z is both more aware of their mental health and more likely to report feeling anxious, depressed, or disconnected.
The good news? Gen Z is also the generation most likely to seek help, talk about their mental health openly, and advocate for change. That’s a strength worth celebrating.
At what age does stress peak?
While stress can show up at any age, research and lived experience both suggest that stress levels peak during early adulthood—around ages 18 to 25.
Why? Because this is when everything is changing at once. You’re making big decisions, often without a clear sense of direction or security. You’re navigating new roles—student, worker, partner, adult—and trying to find stability while still developing your identity.
It’s a lot to carry.
This peak is also often the time when mental health issues first show up. Anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders commonly emerge during this stage, and without support, they can become more intense over time.
That’s why paying attention to stress in young adults is so important. Catching it early, talking about it openly, and getting support before it snowballs can make all the difference.
So what can you actually do about it?
Here’s where we keep it real. There’s no magic fix for the stress in young adults, but there are ways to support yourself while navigating it.
- Start small – You don’t need to have a five-year plan. Focus on what’s in front of you. What feels like one manageable step you can take this week?
- Get curious, not judgmental – Confusion is normal. Instead of asking “what’s wrong with me?” ask “what might I need right now?” The goal is curiosity, not perfection.
- Talk to someone – You don’t have to sort it all out alone. Whether it’s a trusted adult, a peer, or a mental health provider, connection matters.
- Consider psychiatric support – Sometimes, stress is more than stress. If anxiety or depression is affecting your sleep, motivation, or ability to function, medication might help. At Empowered Therapy, we provide compassionate psychiatric care that meets you where you are—without judgment, pressure, or assumptions. If mental health medication is something you want to explore, we’re here for that conversation.
- Validate your experience – Just because someone else “has it worse” doesn’t mean your stress doesn’t count. Stress in young adults is real. Your pain is real. Your experience matters.
Final thoughts: It’s okay to not have it all figured out
If no one’s told you this yet today—you’re doing a good job.
Not because you have all the answers, but because you’re trying. Because you’re showing up. Because you’re curious enough to ask the questions.
The stress in young adults is real, layered, and valid. You’re not behind. You’re not alone. And you don’t have to push through this alone.
At Empowered Therapy, we’re here to support you with real tools, thoughtful care, and zero shame. Whether you’re exploring career options, healing from heartbreak, or just trying to feel like yourself again, we’ve got you.
You don’t have to figure it all out today. You just have to take one next step.
And we’ll be here when you do.