This week we are discussing the ups and downs of living alone in your 20s: from the freedom and independence, to the loneliness and social isolation, financial anxiety and stress, but the authenticity and emotional maturity that comes with it. We talk about: 
Why being alone doesn't make you lonely 
Sliders versus deciders - why you should wait before moving in with a partner
Cognitive distortions and overspending 
Lifestyle creep 
Habits for building social connection and community
How to successfully live alone 

All that and more, listen now! 



Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow The Psychology of your 20s on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast 

This week we are discussing the ups and downs of living alone in your 20s: from the freedom and independence, to the loneliness and social isolation, financial anxiety and stress, but the authenticity and emotional maturity that comes with it. We talk about: 
<ul>
<li>Why being alone doesn't make you lonely </li>
<li>Sliders versus deciders - why you should wait before moving in with a partner</li>
<li>Cognitive distortions and overspending </li>
<li>Lifestyle creep </li>
<li>Habits for building social connection and community</li>
<li>How to successfully live alone </li>
</ul>
All that and more, listen now! 
 
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow The Psychology of your 20s on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

The Psychology of your 20s

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;

175. Living alone in your 20s

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e9ca8bdd-c1c5-4561-92a0-b12a003446b8/transcript

There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

We unpack: 
• The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself 
• Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm
• How much of our brains we really use (hint - it’s more than 10%!)
• The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around
• Why our brain needs to forget to function properly
• The real age our brain stops developing

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s.&nbsp;
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
We unpack:&nbsp; &bull; The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself&nbsp; &bull; Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm &bull; How much of our brains we really use (hint - it&rsquo;s more than 10%!) &bull; The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around &bull; Why our brain needs to forget to function properly &bull; The real age our brain stops developing
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

453. 7 facts you need to know about your brain

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5128f93a-9ec8-4001-bf25-b4b901173254/transcript

The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn’t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it’s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower.

Watch on Netflix: HERE

• Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude
• How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone 
• The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone
• Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity 
• How we can embrace the power of solitude

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources: 

https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude  
https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en  
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn&rsquo;t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it&rsquo;s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower.
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
&bull; Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude &bull; How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone&nbsp; &bull; The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone &bull; Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity&nbsp; &bull; How we can embrace the power of solitude
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
Our favourite sources:&nbsp;
<a href="https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude">https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en">https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en</a>&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds">https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-minds</a>&nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

452. How to get better at being alone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/80c5ea2b-ad30-4b26-801b-b4b100a59cb0/transcript

Dating can bring out the psychologist in us. One delayed reply, one vague comment, and we try to decode someone’s attachment style, childhood wounds, and capacity for commitment. But while psychological language can help us make sense of relationships, it can also become a way to avoid the much harder truth - sometimes we simply don’t know yet. In this episode we look at why overanalysing feels so reassuring, especially when we have been hurt before, and how the search for hidden meaning can distract us from direct communication, being present, and the person actually in front of us.

Watch on Netflix: HERE

We explore:
• The difference between noticing patterns and control rumination
• Why dating uncertainty makes labels feel so appealing
• Why overanalysing often comes from fear rather than insight
• Why this can stop us from being vulnerable ourselves
• Why behaviour matters more than the story behind it
• How to slow the spiral and regain clarity, communication, and self-trust

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources:
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_overthinking_your_relationship 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X16300306?via%3Dihub 
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.75.2.545 
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01742-003 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

Dating can bring out the psychologist in us. One delayed reply, one vague comment, and we try to decode someone&rsquo;s attachment style, childhood wounds, and capacity for commitment. But while psychological language can help us make sense of relationships, it can also become a way to avoid the much harder truth - sometimes we simply don&rsquo;t know yet. In this episode we look at why overanalysing feels so reassuring, especially when we have been hurt before, and how the search for hidden meaning can distract us from direct communication, being present, and the person actually in front of us.
Watch on Netflix: <a href="https://netflix.com/thepsychologyofyour20s">HERE</a>
We explore: &bull; The difference between noticing patterns and control rumination &bull; Why dating uncertainty makes labels feel so appealing &bull; Why overanalysing often comes from fear rather than insight &bull; Why this can stop us from being vulnerable ourselves &bull; Why behaviour matters more than the story behind it &bull; How to slow the spiral and regain clarity, communication, and self-trust
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/?hl=en#">jemmasbeg</a>
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/?hl=en#">thatpsychologypodcast</a>
Subscribe on Substack: @<a href="https://substack.com/@thepsychologyofyour20s">thepsychologyofyour20s</a>
For business: <a href="mailto:psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com">psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com</a>&nbsp;
Our favourite sources: <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_overthinking_your_relationship">https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_stop_overthinking_your_relationship</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X16300306?via%3Dihub">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X16300306?via%3Dihub</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.75.2.545">https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.75.2.545</a>&nbsp; <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01742-003">https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01742-003</a>&nbsp;
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.&nbsp;

451. Why you need to stop psychoanalysing the people you date

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6954fdff-f309-4230-9940-b4b100a598b6/transcript

175. Living alone in your 20s

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