That Perfect Playlist for Your Twenties

Music—it’s something that brings people together, enhances your mood, reduces stress, and encourages you. Among the many benefits of music, it also has the power to make people feel less alone, and your twenties are sometimes very lonely. As you outgrow friendships, move cities, and discover more about yourself, you grow into the adult that your childhood and adolescence have prepared you for your whole life. However, this transition into adulthood isn’t easy. Growth is difficult, especially amongst unfamiliar people and environments. This playlist makes you feel seen and heard, and it also includes some helpful and necessary reminders about this intimidating yet amazing decade of your life. 

You’re on Your Own, Kid - Taylor Swift 

Taylor Swift’s new album, Midnights, broke records, and it’s no surprise to us at The Edge due to Swift’s stardom and dedicated fans. Further, listeners find comfort and relatability in her lyrics. One specific lyric that stands out to us in this song is, “Everything you lose is a step you take.” In your twenties, you might feel like you’re losing a lot—relationships, friendships, and stability. You might lose comfort, but in turn you will gain new experiences and perspectives. You will shed things and people that no longer serve you. While “you’re on your own” might sound isolating, you can also view it as refreshing. Your life is no longer determined by your parents. With a lack of reliance on outside forces that you once depended on for survival, you have the opportunity to make decisions for yourself. You can be selfish, form your own opinions, and figure out what you want your life to look like without external pressure. After all, it is your life, and your twenties are a time to explore it further.

Good Things Fall Apart - ILLENIUM 

This song, while about a breakup, speaks to the temporariness in life, which makes it significant enough to add to this playlist. It’s important that as you go through this decade, you let certain people and things serve their purpose without needing them forever. The law of detachment is something that seems impossible to grasp, but by practicing, you will save yourself a lot of heartache. Some things or relationships aren’t meant to last forever, and your twenties is a transition period that will remind you of life’s fleeting nature. Stay present, and enjoy every moment without being so attached to the idea of the outcome or how long it will last. 

Ribs - Lorde 

There’s something about lyrics that you can completely relate to that make a song special, and this song perfectly captures the stress, chaos, and despair that you might experience during your twenties. You miss old friends and the comfort of your childhood. It’s a perfect song to listen to when you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost.

Growing up is ______ - Ruel 

In this song, Ruel deals with the responsibility that comes with growing up. As you mature, it becomes more difficult to pawn off your issues on other people. “Growing up is strange when the one who’s the blame is looking at the mirror,” sings Ruel. At this age, you are suddenly responsible for yourself and how your life turns out, which is a hard-hitting realization. 

Love & War in your Twenties - Jordy Searcy 

“Your twenties are for spending hours and hours pretending we have plans and we have places we should visit, but everybody knows your twenties are for wasting time.” These are the lyrics that begin this song that emphasizes the uncertainty of this time period. You might think you have everything figured out or feel stressed because you have nothing figured out. Either way, chances are that things will change. You will change too. This song is about embracing the little moments in your life because those will make you who you are, not your plans or aspirations. Don’t be so hard on yourself, and everything will work out. 

20s - Bow Anderson, People Watching - Conan Gray, and Vienna - Billy Joel

It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind everyone else, but these songs remind you to stop comparing yourself to others. In the modern age of social media when we see a highlight reel of everyone’s lives, we might feel like we’re not doing enough or living up to our potential. It’s important to trust the journey and live your life based on your own timeline, not based on how it would look to other people. 

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield 

Everyday is a new day. This is the time to reinvent yourself if you choose to. The possibilities are endless, and you’re the person who controls how your life turns out. As Natasha says, “The rest is still unwritten.” Even if you feel stuck on a certain path, you always have the choice to change it. This is the age to experiment and enjoy the freedom that accompanies that experimentation. 

22 - Taylor Swift 

While most of this playlist highlights the difficulties that come with a new age of adulthood, 22 is a more fun and light-hearted take on this time. You should be having fun in your twenties. These are memories that will last a lifetime. It’s easy to get bogged down in thoughts about your future, but make sure you’re making time for the exciting and care-free moments. There is so much time to figure your life out; it’s impossible to know everything at this point. You must learn to enjoy and embrace the uncertainty.

PODCAST EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS: 

  • Finding Yourself in Your 20s - On my Mind with Ava Jules

  • Life Advice f”or Your Twenties - Our Golden 20s 

  • How to Develop Emotional Intelligence in Your 20s - The Psychology of your 20s 

  • The Psychology of Self-Doubt - Hidden Brain 

  • Alone but not Lonely - Emma Chamberlain 

ADDITIONAL READS WE LOVE: 

  • The Defining Decade by Meg Jay 

  • Everything I Know about Love by Dolly Alderton 

  • Already Enough: A Path to Self Acceptance by Lisa Olivera 

LifestyleAlexandra Elliott