24 years olds, (and 24-30 ish), what are you doing with your life? What stage are you at? & Are you content/"happy" with it?
Posted by iamgoingtotrytoread@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 63 comments
Same as above. I am just curious how everyone's lives are different and how they feel about it
learnaholic1970@reddit
I’m 24, I’ve traveled to another country and I realised that I love my home country. I’ve started a business and it was going well, I still make a bit of money from it. Got a degree, I’m doing my postgrad now. My life was going so well, I’ve dated my fair share of beautiful women too. I left a girl that loved me for a girl that I love after being with her for 3 years. I was with the new girl for 4 years and I thought she was the one. Planned my future with her. Built my whole life around her, did everything for her and she left me for someone else after a fight. I loved her so much. I’m now in a new city, but that vigour and excitement for life is gone. I feel used and I feel bad that I made my previous ex go through what I’m going through now. I stalk her once in a while and she seems fine. She’s dating again which is wonderful and I just hope she knows that as terrible as it sounds. I feel so bad for putting her through what I put her through. While she was in the middle of her studies and already going through a lot. For those who haven’t gotten to 24 yet or those who value relationships. Don’t ever put your all into women/men or relationships. Channel that energy and love into yourself and building your self confidence. Women and friends should always come 2nd or 3rd in your life. I’m 24 years young but deeply broken inside and I’ve lost my zest for life because of 1 person who happily moved on. I’m now picking up the pieces of my life. Trying to figure out who I am and what I like outside of relationships and women. I feel like I’m 18 again but it’s the most painful thing because when i look around with this new lens, people are struggling but trying. My friends bought cars and made good investments while I was investing in women. I let go of myself and now I’m rebuilding which is extremely painful because a lot of the things I did before and that I enjoyed I shared with my ex. The politics, the business is not the same anymore. I don’t have that same exuberance for the things that I loved because I shared them all with a person who traumatised me. As selfish as it sounds. Keep your things to yourself, be selfish with what you love and what makes you happy. Sometimes what you think is better, is not. The grass is most certainly not always greener on the other side. Don’t give too much of yourself to others.
beernon@reddit
Jack_Joff@reddit
This is me - 26 and went from working in a bank where I had amazing camraderie with my team to now feeling like an outcast in the office and like most people hate me because I struggle to come out of my shell and relax at work because I'm not as smart as everyone else there and don't understand things as well
Routine-Apple7829@reddit
25 and work is going well, I'm doing a professional qualification and my finances could be worse. I got out of an abusive relationship this year and realised I want children, so feel completely on the back foot in that regard but also scared to try serious dating, so it may be a case of adopting as and when. Life just feels like a bundle of "what if" right now.
Unable_Whereas448@reddit
26F recently quited my job, living on my saving atm, applying for jobs. I always want kids, be married but i think i'm not finacially there enough.
But i'm healther than i ever been and happy for that. Life atm is just slow in a very positive way that i wish it could just end here.
netballer96@reddit
29, married, have a mortgage. I have been unemployed for three months. Losing hope of getting a job I have vast experience in :( But I have a fulfilling side hustle - Yoga teacher - and my husband earns significantly more than my former salary. Life could be worse. Hoping for some wins in 2026 after a rough couple of years.
Cal2k1@reddit
24 M, I work as a gas engineer and just qualified in July. I enjoy it, working alongside someone else that I get along with makes the job more enjoyable. I can’t help but feel like I’m WAY behind in life but as they say comparison is the thief of joy.
Struggled with mental health for years and I’ve seriously neglected it. Started seeing a therapist a few months ago and my goal now is to get my head straight and play as much badminton and go the gym as much as possible.
Can count on 1 hand how many friends I’ve got and who I could count on. Never had a serious relationship/girlfriend, not seen the world much either and didn’t really have a social life for years because of my mental health, but we on the come up now and I feel better… keep going you’ve come this far!
ThrillingFig@reddit
25F. Nearing completion on buying a house with my partner. Engagement and marriage expected soon after, and a dog. Working a job that I love and has opportunity for growth - where I’ll progress in the new year. Life is looking rosy.
Educational_Cow111@reddit
23 and living in a house with friends. Nothing special, I’m employed and go out a lot but I’m very happy with my life!
DadJ0keSurv1v0r@reddit
this country gave me everything i wanted and i'm proud of what i've achieved
Big-Square-3393@reddit
24, unemployed with no qualifications or skills. I've been applying and applying and applying...and applying in genuinely losing my mind and want to off myself lool. Very depressing life for me. I don't want to ruin the mood but I'm just answering your question as honestly as I can
squirrrrrm@reddit
Military?
It might not be the favoured option, but you'll get a wage with little expenses, the ability to learn a trade and the potential for a career.
A lot of roles don't require any qualifications either.
If you don't like it, you can just do your 4 years and get out.
Big-Square-3393@reddit
I have applied to the military before but never heard anything back, I think I'll try applying again
squirrrrrm@reddit
100% the military will take you. Instead of applying online and waiting to hear back, visit the careers office, constantly ring up etc.
Big-Square-3393@reddit
Thanks, I will try this on Monday
squirrrrrm@reddit
Good luck mate
EvilTaffyapple@reddit
What qualifications did you leave school with? Can you not retake anything you missed / didn’t pass?
Big-Square-3393@reddit
The reality is I'm a failure and there simply isn't a place in society for people like me. No matter how hard I studied I'm just a dumbass and failed everything. I try apply myself to something but it never works out. My best option is a warehouse job or just anything that doesn't need qualifications. This is a cold hard truth I've come to accept
squirrrrrm@reddit
Not to be a dick, because I'll come off as one, but it's kinda his own fault. He left school with 0 qualifications and now he's struggling to find work because he's competing for job opportunities against people with college qualifications and uni degrees.
What does he expect? This is how the world works.
What was he doing for the 5 or 6 years he was at school?
This is just his past coming back to haunt him.
Key-Shallot-9715@reddit
I think you’re in the same position as probably most 24 year olds. I see countless videos of people struggling to get jobs. Dw the job market is just shit.
Big-Square-3393@reddit
This is definitely the worst it's ever been and seeing no signs of it improving any time soon unfortunately
ThatThingInTheCorner@reddit
28M, in a £30k job, just bought a 1 bed flat last year.
Never been in a relationship, and family are asking more and more why I don't have a girlfriend. Problem is I'm bisexual but more attracted to men and still haven't come out to family and actually scared of coming out. Really been stressing about this especially in the last couple of years seeing more and more people my age getting married and having kids while I've never even had a relationship.
So in some ways happy that I've got a place I can call my own, but just keep thinking about if I'll ever have anyone to share it with.
Ok-Bag689@reddit
I’m about to turn 30 and I live in my parent’s basement which is not something I’m proud of but it’s the most convenient option in the long run. I’m getting some certificates in programing languages and hopefully getting an internship in data science. I work at a local car wash in the mean time.
TheNoGnome@reddit
Not great. I've been diagnosed with Crohn's which affects me every day and still live at home.
On the up side, I'm raking it in and am absolutely gorgeous!
Wee bit concerned for the future because illness has set me back, but hopefully things look up.
Decent_Initiative766@reddit
I’m 24 and work in the aviation industry. And have a game studio I run with my friends.
I’ve got the money side of my life set up nicely. career wise I guess I’m content, it’s a good industry. Dating? Literally 0 dating life, it’s 100% my least fulfilled area of my life
Tbh I struggle with depression a lot and don’t have tons of friends
squirrrrrm@reddit
Struggling with depression whilst having no relationship and not many friends is not a sign that something is wrong, it's a natural and perfectly logical, and normal response to fundamental necessities of life not being met. You seem like you have many other aspects of your life in order, so you should be proud of that. Keep going, well done so far.
gratedcheeseandham@reddit
24 and a half, have a degree and masters, bought my first house (with my partner, who earns significantly more than me and is 30) two months ago in Surrey for circa 500k. Currently 4 months pregnant and working as a secondary school teacher where I have a small leadership role and earn just over 36k.
It’s funny because I feel like I’m in an extremely fortunate position, however still look around and think ‘what if’. I have friends who still live at home and are unemployed, some who live in central London in house shares and some who are travelling the world. Despite me having an extremely comfortable life and I am very happy, I feel like everyone (including myself) constantly compare themselves. It’s crazy.
squirrrrrm@reddit
There is nothing wrong with a comfortable life. For many, that is the dream.
Comparison never truly goes away. You’re human, not a robot. And while it can be corrosive, at times, it serves a purpose, giving you the necessary shove to move forward.
Just remember that for every person you measure yourself against, there are hundreds of millions who would trade places with you without hesitation.
By most measures, your life is in order.
That’s worth acknowledging. Well done.
Lucyemmaaaa@reddit
24, currently renting with my bf of 9 years, hoping to buy next year. In a decent paid job for my age but not sure if the stress is worth it sometimes. I feel my physical health may take a decline as a result. Earn a decent amount more than my partner, which is absolutely okay, but just means I'll keep sticking at it for now. I do love parts of it, and I am so passionate about it. Just not the stress. Desperate for a dog, not so desperate for children. We have a few friends but as a woman I feel really lonely sometimes as I don't have a female best friend. Too many family issues to count.
Overall okayish. Lots of improvements i would like, but me and my partner do fun things, go on decent holidays and overall live a decent life. So can't complain too much.
Anonym0us1000@reddit
28, divorced and solo mom of one, renting in London. Living pay-check to pay-check. Things could definitely be better.
Geezer_Flip@reddit
31M - Married, 5 year old son. Director of a division inside of a multi trillion pound company - not a proper director at ‘group level’ but director who reports to the UK CEO.
Live in London, my partner doesn’t work, we’re comfortable financially, we do still rent but mostly because I’m being fussy on a forever home.
I stay away a lot, I work stupid hours - I do enjoy my job, but at some point I’ll break - just trying to get it in now while I can before I get older and hopefully can retire early.
I’m content with my life tbh - could be better but could be a lot worse.
Doomergeneration@reddit
34, absolutely no idea
Clear_Raisin@reddit
im 28. in full time employment. the job is alright and flexible. pay could be better. still home with mum. hopefully buying a house in 2026 or 2027 at the latest. single. no kids. fruitful social life. i travel often. was on a caribbean cruise just last month. this year ive been to morroco, turkey, france (x2), romania, gran canaria, alicante, italy/austria (skiing), st marten, dominica, st kitts, barbados, puerto rico (cruise) and new york was the last trip of the year.
life could be worse.
the only thing i worry about is getting on the property ladder, finding a partner and having kids which i want to happen quite soon
Traditional-Idea-39@reddit
24 and generally pretty happy — doing a PhD and teaching, earning good money and living with my long-term partner. Been feeling quite demotivated recently though
anonymouse39993@reddit
Just slightly older - 32
Happily married have just had a baby, own a large 3 bedroom house, earn a decent salary
Life is good
Escape_Specialist@reddit
I’m 26, had a pretty amazing year to be honest. Got married, went on a 3 month backpacking honeymoon and have just purchase our own house (very small) in London but it’s ours.
I really went pedal to the metal career wise for the first 5 years post uni and the last year I’m felt quite aimless and unmotivated, probably with everything else going on. I’d like to get that back from now to 30 since I get a lot of satisfaction from it.
Deputy-Jesus@reddit
29m, in a long term relationship, engaged, have a 2 year old, own a home and about to move into our forever home. Have a career though what I’m doing now is pretty unfulfilling. Money is ok for a pretty basic lifestyle.
I’m content in some ways and unsatisfied in others. Love having a family but with that comes the challenge of finding time to do my own thing. Also my social life isn’t great, I have a lot of friends but no one I feel super close with
redpringle@reddit
24M. TL;DR: Yes, I am very happy.
I am a second-year history teacher at what is by all accounts a lovely secondary school, which is only a short bike ride from where I live. Everyone there is very happy with the job I’m doing and I feel like I’m progressing and being given more responsibility as time goes on, which I want. My workload feels manageable and the culture of the place is incredibly supportive, which makes me feel very fortunate, as I know many teachers can’t say the same. My pay is steadily increasing each year, which is also obviously positive.
I also have a wonderful partner who I have been with for almost two years now, who I love everything about and who shares many of my goals. We do live an hour and a bit apart at the moment, which is obviously not ideal, but we have both found a rhythm of seeing each other which works for us. Both of us still live with our parents, so have relatively few expenses, which is allowing us to make great progress towards saving up to move out (and we are hoping late 2026/early 2027 for this).
Being with my partner has also allowed me to have lots of experiences I might not have had otherwise. We have travelled a fair bit (which is just more affordable with two) and been on dates to interesting places.
There are things I would like to improve, certainly - I don’t have very many friends and, though I have a good number of interests which I pursue independently, I don’t have a proper hobby either. I am going to work on these things next year.
Is my life the most exciting of anyone my age? Probably not. Am I stinking rich? By no means. My life is fairly modest, but I am happy, because I have what I need, because I feel I am contributing and making a difference, and because I feel I am working towards things.
imsight@reddit
Partially content but I’m coming off the back of a fairly crap year. Working my dream job but not in the right place for me; have a lovely wee house that I can afford to rent alone; a bit lonely but that’s partially on me (very impulsive; blunt; emotional neurodivergent) and something I’m trying to fix.
Outrageous_Street_62@reddit
25, started again a year ago and when I was made redundant working in hospitality. Am currently on degree apprenticeship for engineering, working in a corporate office, earning minimum wage. Definitely the best decision I’ve made. Although I’m not keen on working in corporate, I’m getting a degree for free and experience at the same time
xMonochrome_Rainbow@reddit
I'm 27, married with 3 children and pregnant with #4. I was a SAHM since my eldest was born but started uni when my youngest was 2, I finish my degree in may. I'm studying law. But most likely won't work for another few years cause of the new baby.
Yes I'm very happy with my life 😊 although it's stressful right now as my pregnancy is high risk.
Doublebow@reddit
28, married, own my own home, financially secure but only earning an average wage and sick of my job but feeling kind of stuck because it doesn't pay as well as it should for the amount of work I do and shit I deal with (high mental and physical load, long hours, frustrating systems, incredibly boring and annoying colleagues) but still well enough to make leaving hard as I would have to start from the bottom in a different industry.
When I'm at home life is good but work is taking it's toll.
t-the@reddit
24, just finished my MSc, looking for a job. Currently a stay-at-home daughter. Most of my close friends moved down to London either for studies, a new job or living with parents again. So I’m fairly lonely because of this. I don’t have a bf either.
I feel like I’m in some sort of purgatory. A transitional limbo. I can’t exactly say I’m content, but I’m not totally unhappy either. I’m proud of my accomplishments, but I’m just extremely bored now. I live in a town which feels pretty much like the embodiment of a dead end. I never see people in their 20s here, and if I do they already have children 💀 and there’s truly nothing to do here, it’s driving me insane. I miss living way from home for uni. I really just want a job so I can leave and start my life. Or at least have the money to indulge in my hobbies again and also see my friends in the big cities!
um-bong-o@reddit
Don't expect to be happy and content in your 20s
ukbot-nicolabot@reddit
A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question
Patient-Reference-36@reddit
25 finished masters 1 year ago but been jobless with poor mental health due to relationship (infidelity), family issues (narcissistic religious parents im atheist btw), and frontal lobe realisations about self and life lol. Really came to terms with my adhd, neurodivergence, slightly BPD ish issues and fight to control myself daily. suddenly started getting fat after hitting 24 no matter how little i eat and at same activity levels. its like my metabolism took a sharp decline, and as a woman with an ED and body dysmorphia , this is tough dealing with everyday. I lost basically the last of the few actual friends i had left this year as stepping out the house in london costs £100 minimum so ive been dodging plans a bit (but theyve been busy or avoiding too). having lots of bigger picture thoughts for eg do i want kids or not given 98% of wanting children is all selfish. Cant get any work due to lack of experience but also i only applied to 20 jobs so Im being incompetent af too. i play fortnite alot lately just to not doom scroll and keep my brain engaged in “healthier” sources of dopamine. have 0 in the current account and around 10k in a stocks n shares ISA. cut my evil parents off and my partner pays for my living costs. the dependence on him due to my sheer incompetence is killing me slowly. hair has thinned so much from stress and negativity i finally started taking supplements like iron, fish oil, vitamin d, biotin, esp MAGNESIUM which i believe is the only positive thing ive experienced this year. I finally sleep better, calmer nerves and less anxiety. my cat needed an emergency urine unblocking operation recently and it cost £4000 that we didnt have out of the blue. I considered letting him die trying to be selfish but my empathy and love for animals is the only thing i got going for me so that £4k was never mine to begin with. I can save for a nose job another time. Im zoned out like 90% of the time nowadays. time is flying so fast, longer jobless period and less appealing CV. i want to work and im highly capable…just wish someone would hand me a job so I can prove it
QSBW97@reddit
28, good job (although it's high stress at times) buying a house next year, long term partner, good support network around me. I'm pretty happy.
When I'm having a shit day, I ask myself, if 100 grapes got put in front of me with each one being 100k but 1 is going to kill me, how many would I eat. I've found in the last year or 2, the anwser is 0, because asking myself that question makes me reflect on wahat I've got.
drheppo@reddit
Cptcongcong@reddit
Latter end of that band. Pretty happy. Took a very zig zag road to reach this point in my life, could’ve gotten to my current milestones a few years earlier! But it’s the journey that counts.
I’m at the stage of everything’s stable, now just lacking a kid.
v_clandestine@reddit
25 living in a professional houseshare (circumstances mean I can’t live with parents). Work a job I love and on decent ish money for my age but I’m playing catch up due to terrible financial decisions I made at uni. Hopefully soon I can start saving. However the thought of a mortgage and having children currently seems light years away.. Was in some very toxic relationships previously so in comparison I would say I’m pretty content
Ok-Lime-4898@reddit
I am 29, currently in the phase where fear for the future is starting to struck. Thanks to a promotion I earn the average UK salary but money could be better, I am super single and want children but I don't see any of it happening because the dating pool sucks. I don't want to be renting for the rest of my life but even with a giant deposit I wouldn't be able to afford the monthly payments without starving myself. I feel like I am failing in life
GotAnyNirnroot@reddit
If you're financially self sufficient, then I think you've got something to be proud of. Certainly not failing at anything!
I met my wife via dating apps. All I can say is it's a huge numbers-game, and you just have to keep playing until you find someone..
Advanced_Volume_4500@reddit
30, married with a kid and a shared-ownership house. Decent job, but as everyone - worried about what the future holds.
Everyone has their own pace, so don't stress about timings.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
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GrandWin111@reddit
went back to uni to do a medical subject last year, working on a business, got another business idea (still deciding when to start working on in), got a new job, moving to a new place this new year, 5 months sober, started eating cleaner and exercising. I am genuinely excited for this new year more than I’ve ever been. I 100% know this new year will be so good and special for me 🩷
AdeptArt4009@reddit
Late 20s here and honestly still figuring it out. Feels like most people are just making small adjustments and calling it a plan.
Material-Guard-8096@reddit
29 married with a kid for a decent job. Scared about the future, being able to own a house and raise a family
semaj420@reddit
31m, single dad with sole custody. i love my son, but have sacrificed a lot that was important to me - career, relationships, creative projects, hobbies, social life, etc.
it's more important to me that he is happy.
thecasualwatcher@reddit
27, I work in admin, and live with my dad.
Definitely not happy with my work, but the job market is really hard right now. If I got a better job, I could definitely look at getting my own place.
But my dad and I get along really well, so things could be worse. I am lucky I have a family I love so much. Health is good, so I am content, despite everything.
bnnyrabbit@reddit
not me, but my friend is 24 & recently left jordan to pursue further education in the usa, he seems happy but hates his roommates
PKblaze@reddit
It's a life.
Work in data, it's pretty chill. Doing game dev on the side for fun. Got a GF.
I would like to be further along, have my own place in the world and the like but Covid fucked everything so I feel a few years behind. Eventually that's the plan tho. Could be a lot worse off tho.
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