10 Types of People You’ll Meet in Your 20s (And How to Survive Them)

Welcome to your 20s—the decade where everyone is pretending to know what they’re doing while secretly spiraling into an existential crisis.

This is the age where friendships get weird. Some people are getting married, some are quitting their jobs to "find themselves" in Bali, and others are just trying to figure out how to afford cheese that isn’t pre-shredded.

It’s a time of growth, confusion, and an alarming amount of social imbalance.

So, to help you navigate the absolute chaos of early adulthood, I present:

10 Types of People You’ll Meet in Your 20s—And How to Survive Them.

Buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride.

 1. The One Who’s "Getting Their Life Together" (Or So They Claim)

 Alias: The Overachiever

This person wakes up at 5 AM to journal, meal prep, and meditate, while you wake up at noon and stare at the ceiling questioning your life choices.

They have a “five-year plan” that includes things like “buying a house,” “maxing out my 401(k),” and “retiring at 40”—meanwhile, you’re just trying to figure out why your sink keeps making that weird noise.

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Do NOT compare yourself. They probably don’t have it all together as much as they pretend to. (Nobody does.)

 ❤Steal their habits in small doses. Maybe one habit—like drinking water regularly—could be useful.

 ❤Keep them around. Their spreadsheets and productivity tips will, at the very least, remind you to pay your bills on time.

 2. The One Who Vanished Into a Relationship

 Alias: The Gone Girl/Guy

One day, they’re your ride-or-die. The next? They’ve entered The Couple Dimension™—a parallel universe where they no longer exist outside of their relationship.

They start posting captions like: “My forever ” after two months of dating. They refer to themselves as "we" exclusively. They text you every three months with, "OMG we need to catch up soon!" (Spoiler: You won’t.)

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Accept that they are lost to the void.

 ❤Check in once in a while—sometimes they do need saving.

 ❤Do NOT take it personally. They’ll reappear when they need a wedding guest.

 3. The Hustle Culture Addict

 Alias: The Walking LinkedIn Profile

This person treats life like a self-help seminar. Their morning routine includes grinding, manifesting, and waking up at an hour that should be illegal.

They constantly post things like:

•  “You have the same 24 hours as Elon Musk.”
•  “Success starts with mindset.”
•  “Saturdays are for side hustles, not sleeping.”

You are terrified of them.

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Remember that sleep is not a weakness.

 ❤Smile, nod, and pretend you’ll read the book they recommended.

 ❤Avoid them before they try to sell you on cryptocurrency.

 

4. The Friend Who Still Thinks It’s 2015

 Alias: The Human Hangover

This person did not get the memo that we are, in fact, aging.

They are still chugging vodka cranberries like they have health insurance, texting "LET’S GET WILD" at 11 PM, and waking up with no regrets (but major liver damage).

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Set boundaries. (Your body does not bounce back like it used to.)

 ❤Offer alternative activities. ("How about a board game night instead of a nightclub where we can't hear each other?")

 ❤Appreciate them in small doses. (Like tequila—fun, but dangerous.)

 

5. The Digital Nomad Who is Somehow Always Traveling

 Alias: The Globetrotter

They post pictures from Santorini, Bali, and a remote village in Peru, all while claiming to have spent $3 total.

They say things like:

•  “You should just quit your job and travel!”
•  “Flights are so cheap if you know where to look!”
•  “I’ve been living out of a backpack for a year, and it’s amazing!”

Meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out how to afford a weekend trip to Target.

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Do NOT ask how they afford it. The answer will only make you sad.

 ❤Live vicariously through their photos. (Because let’s be real, you’re not quitting your job to backpack through Europe anytime soon.)

 ❤Remember that they have no permanent address. You win this round.

 

6. The One Who’s Always "Taking a Break from Social Media"

 Alias: The Digital Detoxer

One day, they’re posting ten Instagram stories a day. The next? GONE.

They come back two weeks later with “Wow, I really needed that cleanse.” And then immediately start posting even more than before.

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Act surprised every time they disappear, even though it happens monthly.

 ❤Don’t take it personally. It’s not you—it’s their "mental reset."

 ❤Resist the urge to say, "Weren’t you just on a break?"

 

7. The Gym Bro Who Talks About Nothing Else

Alias: Mr. Gains

Every conversation somehow leads back to protein intake, deadlifts, and intermittent fasting. They call people "bro" whether they are related or not.

How to Survive Them:

❤Nod and smile when they mention macros.

❤Avoid saying you're “too tired” unless you want a 10-minute lecture on motivation.

❤Don't challenge them to arm-wrestling. You will lose.

8.  The Secret Hater

Alias: The Frenemy

You think they’re a friend. They act like a friend. But deep down? They are waiting for your downfall like it’s the series finale of a Netflix drama.

They never openly insult you, but their "compliments" are laced with hidden digs: 

•  “Wow, I could never be as confident as you wearing that.” 
• "You’re so lucky you don’t care what people think!” 
•  “It’s amazing how you just go for things without worrying about whether they’ll work out!”

They smile at your success, but you can feel the passive-aggressive energy vibrating through the air.

How to Survive Them:

❤Trust your instincts. If you always feel a little drained after seeing them, it’s not in your head. 

❤Create some distance. You don’t need a full confrontation—just stop telling them things they can use as ammunition later. 

❤Remember: real friends support you. If someone subtly puts you down, they’re not in your corner.

9. The One Who’s Always in Crisis Mode

 Alias: The Walking Disaster

This person lives in a constant state of emergency.

They call you at 2 AM with “I HAVE THE WORST STORY” and spoiler: it’s never actually life-threatening.

They thrive in chaos. Their entire personality is a sitcom episode waiting to happen.

How to Survive Them:

 ❤Limit exposure. (They will emotionally exhaust you.)

 ❤Give advice sparingly. They don’t actually want solutions.

 ❤Enjoy the drama from a distance. (Like a reality TV show—fun to watch, but too much up close.)

 10. The One Who Has No Idea What They’re Doing (Basically Us)

 Alias: The Relatable Mess

This is you, me, and everyone who still has imposter syndrome just for existing.

You’re constantly questioning your life choices. You start every Monday thinking, "This is the week I get my life together," but it never happens.

How to Survive… Yourself:

 ❤Stop panicking. Everyone else is pretending too.

 ❤Ignore the people who make you feel behind. You are not on the wrong timeline.

 ❤Celebrate small wins. (If you drank water today, you’re thriving.)

Your 20s are a confusing, messy, beautiful disaster.

Nobody really knows what they’re doing. Some people pretend better than others. Some people disappear into relationships. Some people are selling pyramid schemes.

But you’re surviving. And that’s all that matters.

Which one are you? Drop your answer in the comments!