The stage of young adulthood, also called emerging adulthood (Arnett, 2000), is often described as a transitional period marked by identity exploration, the search for stability, and the beginning of more significant responsibilities. During this phase, it is common to experience a feeling of being “in between”: no longer an adolescent, yet not fully settled into adult life. Decisions begin to have a greater impact, expectations rise, and everyday life often moves at a pace that surpasses our ability to process it.
Emotions in the emerging adulthood stage
On an emotional level, this stage can be especially intense. Many young adults experience a mixture of enthusiasm for new opportunities and, simultaneously, uncertainty or fear of not being able to meet the demands of their environment. Increasing independence can also be lived in different ways: some days it is perceived as freedom, and on others as a burden—like carrying a backpack full of responsibilities. Emotions such as guilt, anxiety, social comparison, hope, uncertainty, or joy often coexist, forming an emotional “cocktail” characteristic of this life period.
Understanding these emotions as signals can be highly useful. From a psychological perspective, anxiety may reflect social pressure, high internal expectations, or uncertainty about the future; sadness may be linked to the nostalgia of the stage we leave behind; and frustration may arise from the gap between our goals and the outcomes obtained. None of these emotions is negative in itself: they are part of the emotional regulation system and function as compasses that, when listened to attentively, facilitate self-knowledge.
It is also important to remember that it is not necessary to have all the answers immediately. Flexibility—allowing oneself to doubt, make mistakes, or adjust one’s course—is a natural component of development during this stage. Evidence-based strategies, such as practicing self-compassion (Neff, 2003), emotional psychoeducation, or the open expression of what one is experiencing, can help reduce distress and generate greater internal clarity. Naming emotions, contextualizing them, and sharing them with trusted people facilitates emotional regulation and prevents becoming trapped in rigid or self-critical interpretations.
Young adulthood is not only a stage of confusion but also a key period of psychological construction. Rather than moving forward without pause, this vital moment involves learning to sustain oneself, developing coping resources, and finding one’s own balance—even if this requires a process of trial and error. Understanding the emotional particularities of this phase allows us to navigate it with greater awareness and take advantage of it as an opportunity to strengthen identity and well-being.
References Arnett, J. J. (2000). Emerging adulthood: A theory of development from the late teens through the twenties. American Psychologist, 55(5), 469–480. Bibliographic source Neff, K. D. (2003). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. Blibliographic source
Marina Lomas Servera Psicóloga General Sanitaria (en prácticas)
