pictured: fresh twenties steph vs twenty-nine yr old entrepreneur steph

I've been saying for years that I cannot wait to be in my thirties. Now, having just entered the last year of my twenties, I find myself still eagerly anticipating this new decade. It's not that my twenties were bad—in fact, they were transformative. But I’m ready for what comes next. In this next decade, the opportunities feel endless… a healthy and committed love, the potential for a family of your own, and the career confidence gained through years of late nights in PowerPoint. Personally, I’m ready to move on to more peace, less struggle.

And that includes finding the courage to do more, experience more, and say more. (See what I did there?) 

That’s what I hope for all of you who’ve come to the saymore community. 

Embracing My Own Journey

As for me, I've never been one to experience life gently. A close friend once told me that I “make my life harder than it needs to be,” and I have to admit, they were right. But it's because I've always wanted to understand myself. I've put myself in many different situations to get to know myself better, whether that meant moving to new cities where no one knew me or exploring my sexuality and discovering that I'm queer.

The big moments like travel and career changes are significant, but it's the little moments in between that truly defined my twenties. They can be beautiful even in their despair. Here are a few core memories from my journey:

• Drinking with my friends–the right people–at a bar, and laughing when a girl I had a crush on asked for my Snapchat. I thought, what is this, 2012? (Or maybe I ditched Snapchat too soon?)
• The body dysmorphia that comes with womanhood…Is it my period? Is it my luteal phase? Or is it just me, and my belly has always been this soft...
• Converting to menstrual cups over tampons even though you are absolutely screwed if you get stuck in a porta potty while needing to change that thing.

These experiences, both the best and the worst, are all part of the natural ebb and flow of life. They’ve taught me that beginnings and endings are a constant, no matter your age. Here are some lessons I've learned along the way that I believe are timeless and relevant whether you're in your twenties, thirties, or beyond.

Disillusionment with the World 

It's normal to become disenchanted with how the world works. Realizing that systems often fail and that equality and justice are still aspirations rather than realities can be disheartening. But this awareness also empowers us to strive for better. A few years back, I remember my landlord keeping most of my security deposit for no good reason and feeling completely robbed. What was I to do - hire a lawyer?! That felt way out of my realm. Ultimately, I just had to cry a bit and cut my losses.

Heartbreak is Inevitable

Heartbreak, both platonic and romantic, often feels like the end of the world. The pain is real and intense, and there’s no set timeline for healing. It’s okay to take your time to move on and to feel deeply about the people in your life. Everyone heals on a different timeline. In my own personal heartbreak journey of lost friends and love, the book Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton made me feel far less alone in the grief.

Existential Dread is Normal

We all experience moments of existential dread. Whether it’s the Sunday scaries or a full-blown anxiety attack, these feelings are part of the human experience. A walk, a good night's rest, a post on saymore, and a chat with a friend can work wonders, even if just temporarily. 

Changing Your Mind is Empowering

It’s powerful to change your mind, your job, your city, or even your perspective. Embrace the ability to evolve and make new choices. This is your life, and you have the agency to shape it. Find your favorite podcasts or books that empower you to try something new. I like the podcast, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle. 

You Can’t Do It All

It’s important to recognize your limits. The pressure to do everything can be overwhelming. Allow yourself to rest and reject the productivity culture that leaves you depleted. Do your best and let that be enough. You’ll have some wins, like leading that big meeting with execs. And some losses, like butchering one of the exec’s names and sweating through your blouse. Don’t worry, you’re not the first and you won’t be the last.

Final Reflections

As I prepare to enter my thirties, I realize that I’m still learning and growing. Each decade brings new challenges and opportunities for self-discovery. The beauty in that? We can always start over. 

If you have any twenties fallacies or lessons to share, please let me know in the comments. This journey is something we all go through, and each story adds richness to the collective experience.

Take a look around, join our conversations, and let me know how you’re doing. 

Here’s to embracing imperfections at any age and constantly learning life lessons. Cheers to the next chapter!

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the saymore blog! I'm Stephanie, the founder of saymore, this virtual mental wellness community. When launching saymore, I wanted to create a space where people can engage in nuanced, meaningful conversations and support one another. 

Today, I want to talk about something super important—voting. With November steadily approaching, using our voices to make a difference by voting in the general election is crucial.

You might feel a bit disillusioned or overwhelmed by the current political climate. I get it–it’s a weird time. For many, the American flag might not symbolize the same ideals it once did. But between Millennials and Gen Z, we make up the largest percentage of eligible voters in this general election. Our generations care deeply about social issues and making a positive impact, but it can feel like our efforts are futile when faced with the vastness of the challenges we want to tackle.

​​Just last night, I was talking with my girlfriend and asked her which social cause she felt most passionate about. I listed a few examples: intersectional feminism, queer rights, gun control, healthcare for all, education. She couldn’t choose just one and we ended up passionately discussing each topic! We shared a laugh, realizing how difficult it is to focus on just one issue when so many are important. The vast access to information makes it nearly impossible to ignore these matters, many of which are literally about life and death.

Turns out that in most of my conversations with loved ones, there's a recurring theme of feeling swamped by the volume and variety of issues. Emotions are high; change feels like it takes forever. The gravity and sheer amount of information out there can be paralyzing. It’s easy to feel that as one person, your vote doesn’t matter. Or that maybe, opting out of voting is easier because you don’t feel knowledgeable or affected enough. But your vote does matter.

Voting is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape our future. Even when the system is frustrating, your vote is a way to stand up for what you believe in, to push for progress, and to hold those in power accountable. Every vote counts, and it’s okay if you don’t know much about politics. Let’s have conversations and help each other.

I’ve compiled a list of reasons why your vote in this general election matters, especially now:

Your Vote In the General Election Is Your Voice

We’ve lived through significant events like the Russian hack, the insurrection, and the Supreme Court overturning long-standing policies. These include major policy changes that infringe on marginalized communities’ basic rights and freedoms. Events like these show how much impact a single election can have. It’s scary, but it also means that your vote can be used for good.

Don't Let Apathy Win

Older generations often rely on young voter apathy to maintain the status quo. Prove them wrong! Today’s youth are the ones who will live with the consequences of today's decisions. Everyone’s active participation is essential for creating a future we want to live in. By showing up at the polls and voting in the general election, young people send a powerful message that we’re engaged, informed, and determined to shape a better world. 

Progress Takes Time

Remember, progress isn’t always linear. Former President Obama (side note, I miss him) once said that progress can often feel like steps both forward and backward. That’s why we have to keep going. Every movement in history has faced setbacks, but history shows us that peoples’ persistence and resilience ultimately drive progress forward.

We’re Not Alone In The Fight

In my work to champion wellness, I meet so many dedicated people across industries —law, finance, social work, education, healthcare—who are working tirelessly to make the world a better place. Change is happening, even if it’s not always visible or looks turtle-slow. Every day, countless people are making differences big and small to work toward a fairer, more just society. By voting in the general election, you can contribute to a collective movement for positive change.

As a virtual wellness community, we at saymore believe in representation, freedom, equality, and justice. While no politician may perfectly align with all our ideals, not giving into ignorance and apathy is so important. Many heroes before us have fought for our right to vote, and we owe it to them and to each other to keep exercising that right. Vote for yourself, and if not, then vote for others who can’t.

Empowerment Through Community

One of saymore’s core values is creating a sense of community where we can discuss nuanced topics in a safe space. Voting is another way to empower ourselves and those around us. When we vote, we help ensure that our communities are represented and that our collective voice is heard. So, view saymore as another space to explore these issues together, ask questions, and share your experiences with a like-minded, diverse community. Knowledge is power.

Overcoming Feelings of Hopelessness

It’s easy to feel discouraged or even hopeless at times when the challenges ahead of us seem overwhelming. But remember, every major movement in history has faced similar feelings of despair. But through solidarity and persistence, people have still achieved remarkable changes. By voting, you signal that you still believe in the possibility of a better future. And that is such a beautiful and important thing to keep putting out into the world. 

A Call to Action 

So, I encourage you to please vote this November. Our voices matter. Share your thoughts, your feelings, and your motivations with us in the comments. Why are you voting, or why are you struggling with the decision? Let’s discuss and support each other through this. Use saymore’s virtual mental wellness community as a way to exchange ideas, ask the hard questions, and push for meaningful discussion.

And be sure to join any election threads to share your POV, ask questions, and/or learn more about the issues at stake this November and beyond. 

Your experiences and perspectives matter, and by sharing them, we can continuously learn from one another and grow stronger as a virtual mental wellness community.

Thank you for being part of our community, and for contributing your valuable thoughts, experiences, and questions. Let’s make our voices heard. 

Stephanie

About saymore

saymore is a virtual mental wellness community that helps people with shared curiosities, challenges, and goals find each other. Built on trust, saymore users can build and join supportive communities, discuss nuanced topics in safe spaces, and explore helpful products and services. For more information, visit saymoreco.com or @saymoreco on Instagram.

saymore believes in anger that is used for good - we spotlighted Cammie on social media and wanted to make sure our community sees her too! As always... thanks for being here

In the big wide world of the internet, there is no topic untouched. A trend on social media of “I have never had an original experience” is both a relief and a panic. I find myself leaning towards relief at knowing I have had the same experience no matter how specific or how broad it is among people from all over the world. But in times of turmoil, isolation, and social anxiety, I think many of us do not see ourselves reflected in the internet, specifically the current state of social media platforms.

Being on the bottom half of the millennial generation I was over “self care” culture aka schedule a meditation and have a salad. I am what my doctor calls a high functioning depressed person, which I assume means no one would know I had a perpetually low level of serotonin. I took pride in that until I didn’t. I wanted people to know that I didn’t wake up like this, I carefully crafted my days, my routines to make sure I was set up to be on when I needed to be. To keep me out of the dread soaked evenings. That’s when I went looking for people like me. 

One of my most recent ‘unoriginal experiences’ was quitting my job, leaving my city, and moving back in with my parents for a much needed reset.  I only told people on a need to know basis but it quickly became a conversion starter - “Good for you” was the response I got the most, believe it or not. People started opening up to me about their stories, their crises, all backgrounds, and all ages. I felt so silly for ever thinking “No one knows what this feels like” when people kept seeing themselves in my eyes. It was exactly what I needed. 

How saymore came to be is here but the short version is I wanted a digital place where I could go and be curious. I wanted a space that looked like me but held nuance and room for me to ask questions. A space that lived in the gray and strayed from the mainstream. Honest storytelling. Genuine solutions. Questions with different answers. 

If we have never had an original experience and we want to know more, I want saymore to be that online platform, that digital safe space. If we are all connected more than we could ever see on social media, I wanted saymore to be the platform people go to. And maybe, just maybe, if we all remember how alike we are, how human we are, then we can really make this place (gestures vaguely) a better place for everyone.  

What’s an experience you’ve had that you felt like only happened to you? I think you’d be surprised…I encourage you to say more.

A few popular topics on saymore lately…

Just starting therapy? You're not alone here

Struggling being a mom these days? Some people feel that way too here.

Women don’t get to dream like men do… what do you think? Look here.

Want to chat about mental health and social media? Continue the conversation here.

Agree?