Is it normal to feel lonely in your 20s?
Yes—feeling lonely in your 20s is very normal, even when you’re surrounded by people. This decade can bring big changes in friendships, work, relationships, and where you live, and it can take time to find your people.
Your 20s can look like everyone else is making friends, finding partners, and building a life with suspicious ease. In reality, lots of people are in transition, trying to stay close to old friends while figuring out new routines and connections. Loneliness can show up even if you have people around; it’s often about missing a sense of closeness, not simply being alone.
It may help to make small, repeatable plans—joining something you enjoy, reaching out to one person, or being the one who suggests a coffee instead of waiting for an invitation. And if this feeling sticks around, saying it out loud to someone you trust can make it less isolating. You’re not behind or weird for wanting more connection.