What stage of life is 23 years old?

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), young adults aged 18-25 have the highest prevalence of serious mental illness compared to other adult age groups. At 23, you are in a period known as 'emerging adulthood' or early young adulthood, a significant and often challenging developmental stage.

Quick Summary

At 23, you are typically in the stages of 'emerging adulthood' and 'young adulthood,' which are characterized by exploration, identity formation, career development, and establishing independent relationships.

Key Points

Emerging Adulthood: At 23, you are primarily in the developmental phase known as emerging adulthood, a period of exploration, instability, and heightened self-focus before settling into more traditional adult roles.
Psychosocial Conflict: According to Erikson, 23 falls within the 'Intimacy vs. Isolation' stage, a crucial time for forming deep, lasting relationships beyond family ties.
Brain Development: The prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and planning, continues to mature until the mid-twenties, explaining the blend of risk-taking and learning seen at this age.
Major Transitions: Common milestones at this stage include transitioning from education to a career, navigating financial independence, and redefining relationships with parents.
Mental Health Considerations: Young adults aged 18-25 have a higher prevalence of serious mental illness, driven by factors like financial stress, lack of purpose, and achievement pressure.
Financial Foundation: Early twenties are an ideal time to build responsible financial habits, such as budgeting, paying down debt, and starting retirement savings, to ensure long-term stability.

Understanding the Life Stage of 23

While some might see 23 as a simple extension of late adolescence, developmental psychologists recognize it as a distinct and crucial phase. This period is often described as "emerging adulthood," a term coined by psychologist Jeffrey Arnett to describe the developmental stage between adolescence and young adulthood, typically spanning ages 18-29. It is marked by a blend of self-focus and exploration, where individuals start to solidify their identity while navigating newfound freedoms and responsibilities.

For many, age 23 sits squarely within this transitional phase. It's a time of immense possibility mixed with significant instability, as major life decisions—from career paths to intimate relationships—are in flux. The brain is still maturing, particularly the prefrontal cortex responsible for decision-making and planning, which can contribute to both risk-taking and a capacity for adaptation.

Key Developmental Tasks at 23

Robert Havighurst outlined several developmental tasks for young adults that resonate strongly at age 23. Successfully navigating these tasks is crucial for healthy development.

Achieving Autonomy: This involves establishing independence from parental control, a process that can involve moving out, managing finances, and making major decisions on your own. For some, this transition is smooth, while for others, financial constraints or cultural expectations can prolong the process.
Establishing Identity: Beyond the identity exploration of adolescence, 23 is about solidifying personal values, philosophies, and a sense of self. This process is deeply influenced by career choices, social circles, and new experiences.
Developing Emotional Stability: As brain maturation continues, emotional regulation and stability improve. However, the inherent instability of this life stage can also create heightened stress and emotional challenges.
Finding Intimacy: Erik Erikson's theory places 23 within the "Intimacy vs. Isolation" stage, focusing on forming close, long-term relationships. The task is to build genuine intimacy beyond the surface-level relationships of earlier years, which requires a strong sense of self to avoid becoming isolated.
Establishing a Career: Many at 23 are either completing their education or entering the workforce, a period of specific skill development and professional exploration. This can involve navigating the job market, building foundational skills, and committing to an initial career path.

Common Challenges for 23-Year-Olds

The unique challenges of this period often intersect with broader societal trends, creating significant pressure.

Financial Instability and Achievement Pressure

Financial worries are a major source of stress for young adults. Student loans, the rising cost of living, and entering a competitive job market can lead to anxiety. A 2023 Harvard report highlighted that financial worries and achievement pressure negatively impact the mental health of over half of young adults surveyed. Learning good budgeting habits, tackling debt strategically, and starting retirement savings early are all important steps.

Mental Health Concerns

The developmental and social changes can increase vulnerability to mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Loneliness and the pressure to find meaning and purpose are also significant mental health drivers. It is crucial for young adults to develop effective coping strategies, seek professional help when needed, and maintain open communication with support networks.

Social Media and Comparison

Social media is an ever-present force in the lives of many 23-year-olds. It can create a sense of constant comparison, where peers' curated online lives appear more successful or put-together. This can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and pressure. Managing social media use and focusing on personal goals rather than external validation is key.

Practical Steps for Navigating This Stage

Prioritizing Physical Health

In your early twenties, your body is generally resilient, but forming healthy habits now is critical for long-term health. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep are non-negotiable. This is also the time to establish good practices regarding sexual health and to be proactive about preventative care.

Building Financial Responsibility

Establishing a solid financial foundation at 23 is a long-term investment. This includes creating a budget, paying down debt, building an emergency fund, and starting to save for retirement, even if the amount is small. These early financial habits can yield significant returns over time due to compound interest.

Nurturing Relationships and Social Connections

As you move beyond college and into a more independent life, maintaining and building strong friendships is vital. This also involves navigating the changing dynamics with family and finding your own community. Intimacy and connection are central to overall well-being and combating feelings of isolation.

Investing in Personal and Professional Growth

This is a prime time for learning and adaptation. Continuing to build new skills, whether through formal education or on-the-job experience, is a hallmark of this stage. This can involve professional development, exploring creative hobbies, or simply exposing yourself to new ideas to exercise your brain. The ability to adapt and respond to new experiences is a strength of the brain in the mid-twenties.

Developmental Perspectives: Comparing Theories


Developmental Theorist	Stage Description	Focus for 23-Year-Old	Outcomes
Erikson	Young Adulthood (18-40), Intimacy vs. Isolation.	Forming long-term, intimate relationships with others.	Love (success) or Isolation (failure).
Arnett	Emerging Adulthood (18-29).	Period of identity exploration, instability, and possibility.	A more defined sense of self, career, and personal values.
Havighurst	Early Adulthood.	Achieving autonomy, establishing a career, and finding intimacy.	Maturity, independence, and social integration.
Levinson	Novice Phase (Ages 22-28).	Transitioning from adolescence, focusing on building a place in the world and maximizing potential.	Establishing vocational skills and early adult identity.

Conclusion

Age 23 is a dynamic and pivotal period, best understood through the lenses of both emerging and young adulthood. It's a time of immense growth and potential, where the choices made in career, finance, health, and relationships lay the foundation for the future. While the path may be filled with instability and pressure, understanding these developmental tasks can provide clarity and empower individuals to navigate this stage with purpose and resilience. For more on this critical period, particularly regarding brain development, consider exploring research from the National Institute of Mental Health. For more information on adolescent brain development, see the NIMH publication on this topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Emerging adulthood, a term used to describe the period between adolescence and young adulthood, is typically considered to be between the ages of 18 and 29.

Yes, feeling unstable or uncertain is a common characteristic of emerging adulthood. This period is marked by exploration and transitioning through different jobs, living situations, and relationships, which can lead to feelings of flux and unpredictability.

At 23, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for complex thinking and decision-making—is still maturing. This process contributes to both increased adaptability and, at times, impulsivity compared to later adulthood.

Financial milestones often include developing and sticking to a budget, paying down debt (like student loans), establishing an emergency fund, and beginning to save for retirement. Starting these habits early can provide significant long-term financial benefits.

Anxiety and depression are prevalent in young adults. Factors such as financial stress, career pressure, loneliness, and societal comparisons (often exacerbated by social media) contribute to these challenges.

Relationships are critically important at this stage, particularly for developing intimacy beyond family relationships. As per Erikson's theory, successfully navigating the balance between intimacy and isolation is a key task of young adulthood.

Emerging adulthood is a newer concept describing the transitional phase from the late teens to the late twenties, characterized by exploration and instability. Young adulthood is a broader category, typically encompassing the period from 18 to 40, focusing on developing maturity and establishing a career and family.