Turning Chapters

Turning the Page: Navigating Change, Letting Go, and Growing Up in Your 20s

Turning chapters, navigating change, dealing with loss, and learning how to move on — whatever you want to call it, that’s what this episode is about.

As Lauren and Lorin shared in the intro, they met in college and graduated in 2023. Since then, life’s been life-ing. One got married and bought a house. The other moved out on her own for the first time and started her career. Together, yet separately, they’ve been figuring out what it means to leave the college version of themselves behind.

No more lazy Tuesdays. No more overspending at TJ Maxx when you know you’ve got bills to pay. No more casually linking up with your best friends who used to live just down the street. And yeah, those might sound like small things — but they still matter. These shifts hit differently, and a lot of us in our 20s feel them.

So how do we navigate the little changes and the big ones? Because post-grad life comes fast. Like Lauren living alone for the first time — that was one of the scariest chapters she’s faced. And Lorin stepping into marriage — yeah, we all know that’s a journey, too.

So what have they learned? And what are they still figuring out?

Here are three hard truths Lauren and Lorin are unpacking as they turn the page to this next chapter.

1. Accept the Stage of Life You’re In

A lot of us — especially in our 20s — live in the future. We say things like, “One day I’ll have the house, the kids, the job, the money — and life will be perfect.”

But what about right now?

Sometimes our anxious thoughts about the future (or the past) make us forget how to just be. Be present. Be here. The truth is, life changes — constantly. And there’s no going back to the carefree days, and no skipping ahead to the dream life you’ve imagined.

You have to accept that challenges will come. You won’t always know what path to take. You won’t always feel certain about moving cities or staying put. You won’t always have the answers — and that’s okay.

You take it one day at a time. You learn to sit with the unknown. You remind yourself that it’s okay to not have it all figured out. And most importantly, you practice being at peace with the stage you’re in — even if it’s messy, uncertain, or slower than you hoped.

2. It’s Okay for Relationships to Look Different, End, or Take a Break

In college, everyone’s lives kind of look the same. We’re taking classes, going out, trying to figure it out together. But once you hit your mid-20s? It’s like everyone’s life takes off in a different direction.

Some friends get married. Others start families. Some are traveling the world. Some seem like they landed the dream job. And suddenly, the people you used to see every weekend become the people you see once every six months — or once a year.

You start wondering, Do they still care about me? You see your friends on vacation while you’re working overtime. You hear about a promotion while you’re still figuring out what you even want to do.

You start thinking, Am I behind? Am I doing something wrong? Or maybe even just, Why is it so hard to make plans with everyone around me?

Here’s the truth:

Most people don’t know what they’re doing. Even if it looks perfect online.

Don't compare yourself.

Don’t take it personally unless it’s personal. If someone takes a while to text back or stops checking in, it doesn’t mean they don’t love you. Life just looks different now.

Give grace. Leave room for growth. People change, and so do relationships — and that’s okay.

The friend who used to go out every Friday night might now prefer a quiet evening in. The roommate you talked to daily might live across the country now. You might call your parents more than you used to. And maybe that person you thought would be in your life forever? You drifted, or had a falling out over something small.

All of it is part of growing up. Learning how to let go, reconnect, or redefine how you show up in relationships is part of turning the page.

If it's anything like Lauren and Lorin, if the relationship is meant to be in your life, it always comes back, and you figure it out in a healthy way.

3. Give Yourself Grace and Allow Yourself to Grow

As we get older, we tend to be harder on ourselves — and sometimes on the people closest to us. Not because we don’t care, but because we do.

We want to grow. Be better. “Get it together.”

But the truth? We’re all on our own timelines now. And that’s not always easy to accept.

Let yourself grow.

If you decide you don’t want to drink anymore, cool. If you’re on a fitness journey or trying to go vegan, go for it. If you want to quit your job and backpack through Europe — maybe plan it out a bit — but if it feels right, trust yourself.

As long as you’re being kind, intentional, and not hurting anyone (including yourself), you have every right to change.

Life isn’t supposed to stay the same. Honestly? It would be boring if it did.

And your friends will change too. Their habits, priorities, and dreams — all of it might shift. Just like yours will.

What you loved at 21 might not be what you love at 23. Your circle might get smaller. Your values might evolve. That’s growth. And growth isn’t something to fear — it’s something to be proud of.

From Lauren and Lorin, Just two friends trying to figure it out — same as you.

Homework: Write a Thankful List

In this episode, Lauren and Lorin talk about what it means to close one chapter and open another — from college life to full-on adulthood. One thing that’s helped them through all the transitions? Creating a thankful list.

Take a minute and write down what you’re grateful for. Even when life feels heavy or uncertain, you’ll probably realize there’s still a lot of good. Things you’ve learned. Things you’ve survived. Small joys that still matter.

It’s a reminder that change doesn’t always have to feel like loss. Sometimes, it’s just growth in disguise.

Listen to the Turning Chapters episode now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Castbox — and tell us, what chapter of life are you in?