Why This Stage Feels Like an Emotional Escape Room
Welcome to the young adult years—where your brain is still wiring itself up, your nervous system is taking notes on everything, and the world expects you to have a five-year plan when you’re still deciding what to have for lunch.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes: Your brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex (the CEO of decision-making), is still developing. That means emotions can feel big, risks might seem worth it (hello, spontaneous cross-country moves), and stress responses can go from 0 to 100 quickly.
From an attachment and nervous system perspective, this is also when our core beliefs about safety, connection, and self-worth get tested. Maybe you’re stepping out of the family dynamics that shaped you, figuring out friendships and love in new ways, or realizing that adulting is a lot. Your nervous system? It’s taking it all in, deciding which moments feel secure and which feel like everything is falling apart. Spoiler: It’s usually not, even though it feels that way.
This is why stress in young adulthood looks different—it’s not just about what’s happening; it’s about how your system is learning to navigate independence, responsibility, and self-trust. And that’s precisely why having the proper support can make all the difference.
