Your 20s & What to FOCUS on?? Thoughts from a Psychologist

Should you invest in travel and having experiences, or should you climb the career ladder? As I reach the end of my twenties, this video shares my attempt at both pathways and what I've ultimately learned.
In a new world of side hustles, productivity and study vibes, fomo and countless adventures, what to prioritise as a young person.. I asked myself this question when I was about to turn 20, spending the first half of that decade travelling around the world as a solo backpacker, in between studying my undergrad. But during my mid-twenties I pivoted and went hard at my career, attempting to start a business and returning to study.
Disclaimer: KZbin is not therapy. My videos are for informational or reflective purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or treatment.
Have a question or want to share a reflection? I'm always open to learning, so please do leave your feedback down below.
✍️ Kathleen
📱You can also find me on TikTok - I go by my nickname Kate and here I share mini stories about creating community in Sydney and my daily routines: www.tiktok.com/@kathleen.anne...
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00:00:00 - 00:01:00 - Intro
00:01:01 - 00:01:52 - Prioritising Travel
00:01:53 - 00:03:50 - Pros of Travel
00:03:51 - 00:05:34 - Cons of Travel
00:05:35 - 00:07:08 - Prioritising Work
00:07:09 - 00:09:20 - Cons of Work
00:09:21 - 00:10:47 - Pros of Work
00:10:48 - 00:13:13 - Work or Experience?
*****
🙋🏻‍♀️ WHO AM I?
I'm Kathleen (or Kate), a video maker, youtuber and provisional psychologist working in Sydney. I make videos about the journey towards becoming a registered psychologist in Australia, strategies to enhance your mental health and stories that have made up my own life, which you'll either find helpful or entertaining 😉
Some things I'm passionate about are community and connection. In Sydney I host a weekly walking group that brings together strangers, who hopefully leave as friends. Please join us on our next walk if you're visiting Sydney or if you're new to the area ✌️
Hashtags
#psychology #psychologist #self-help #mentalhealth #wellbeing #lifeadvice

[@spaceybri]

I feel like your videos always come at the perfect time! This was extremely insightful and I'm so grateful for your ability to be vulnerable and share in your process to becoming self actualised!

[@kathleenanne]

Thank you so much for your kind words, really glad to hear this helped! (I’m still a work in progress though 🤭)

[@ulhasarolkar]

Wonderful life to visit wonder places...

[@juvieslie2582]

Hi Kathleen! First off, thank you so much for making this video. It is exactly what I needed to watch. For some context, I've been living abroad for the last 5 years (American living in Australia since 2019). I'm currently back home, staying with my family and catching up with friends before I embark on yet another abroad journey, this time living in New Zealand! I've been really enjoying being back, but I can't help but compare my life to that of my friends who have stayed in the US and built their careers, got higher degrees, etc. While I'm SO grateful for my experiences traveling which have been soul-enriching and healing, I have felt this yearning for stability and craving for a deeper purpose in my life. I feel like my season of "winging it" is coming to an end in favour of consciously building my future, but I think I'm much better equipped to be intentional about this new season of my life because of what I learned traveling, failing, finding myself, exploring, etc. This is all to say, I'm grateful you made this video because I deeply resonate with it, and I know I'm not alone in figuring out the right balance between traveling/ adventure and my career/ stability. Cheers!

[@kathleenanne]

Thank you so much for sharing your insights! I wish I made it a bit clearer in this video that travel was what helped me unlock my sense of purpose, because it enriches your life in so many ways. It’s also been interesting talking to my friends in this phase of life and hearing that they used to compare their life with mine for not travelling. I think it comes back to really discerning what you what to make of this one crazy shot of life that we get and being intentional - wishing you all the best in your next chapter! 🫶

[@christa4098]

It was really helpful hearing your perspective on this! I have currently chosen a combination of both travel and career. I need to have the stability of an apartment and consistent income, so I work a full time plus a couple of side hustles. Thankfully I have a flexible job that allows for remote work, so I try to plan a few trips a year (either road trips or international trips) to explore more of the world.

[@kathleenanne]

That sounds like an amazing set up! Glad this video was helpful 😄

[@Joonsky5991]

Timing couldn't have been better for me to stumble upon this video. Right now, I'm all about focusing on my career, diving deep into the world of software development. Traveling has always been on my mind, but my gut tells me to rack up those experiences first, especially in my early 20s. Now, in my late 20s, I sometimes wonder if I'm missing out. But hearing my friends and family say I'm destined for big things keeps me going, even though I'm still in the building phase. This video was just the reassurance I needed-never too late to try things out and figure out your purpose... As what my superior tells me every time I feel bad over a mistake at work: "positive movements brother no worries!" - Jon

[@kathleenanne]

Thanks so much for sharing your insights Jon! I definitely think focusing on your career is a really rewarding journey and will set you in good stead 😊 and travel is always there if you need a break!

[@Joonsky5991]

Btw, I have subscribed to your channel! Woot woot🎉

[@terbbert]

You've made a really amazing and inspiring channel. I am in a huge slump passion-wise and career-wise after years of studying, and I'm in awe of your determination, hard work, and intelligence! I'm in my mid-twenties now, and think this video will help a lot of people feel more comfortable about making different life choices in their twenties. :)

[@kathleenanne]

Aww mid twenties can be tough, there’s so much pressure to feel like you have it altogether or know the answers, and studying really burns you out - I’m so glad this video was helpful and I hope you can take some time out for yourself! 🫶

[@nikki4628]

Thank you so so much Kathleen for sharing your experiences!! I really enjoy your videos as a third year psychology undergrad student

[@kathleenanne]

This comment! You really made my day - I’m so glad the videos are helping as you trek through the study - third year and onwards it gets better! Wishing you all the best with your studies and a very rewarding career ahead! 😄

[@reachdivyathomas1]

Loved this video Kath, you are amazing !!

[@kathleenanne]

Thanks so much Divya!! Miss you 🩵🩵

[@jlong8568]

Thank you for sharing Kate, you really are a very inspiring person and it was fascinating to hear your thoughts and insights on travel and work as a young adult, I certainly would have benefited from hearing this in my early 20's and I'm certain it will help a lot of young people to make those leaps of faith that are so necessary to grow as an individual.

[@kathleenanne]

Aww thanks so much Jamie! And sorry it’s take me a while to write to you - it’s been on my mind! Hope you’re keeping well 😄

[@jlong8568]

@@kathleenanne you're more than welcome:) and no worries I know you must be very busy at the moment and I love what you're doing with the channel, there's not enough hours In the day so I know that it can be hard to find the time but it'll be great to catch up whenever you're able to, and all good on this end thanks 👍 hope you have a lovely day!

[@lianevoelker9845]

What a great video! My life story is very similar to yours. But I got very addicted to the extremes of traveling and didn't stop till I moved to Australia in 2020. And let's face it, i was only able to stop because of Covid. I ended up doing my Master here in Art Therapy and are now working in my dream job. BUT... My life still looks so different to my friends life on Germany. Most of my friends have a house and children. In that sense I am far behind. Something I feel like I missed the turn somewhere along the line but at tge same time I am very content and happy with my life. It's the social pressure that gets to me sometimes. But in terms of values I am true to nyself. I have enough purpose and enough excitment and hope to get me through. The wisest choice is to focus on what you have instead if what you don't have.

[@kathleenanne]

Really enjoyed reading your insights, thank you so much for sharing! In hindsight I wish I made it a bit clearer in this video that I’m so thankful I travelled- it’s been interesting talking to friends who focused on their career/children, now share with me that they also compared their life to mine and wished they travelled more. It really does come down to just focusing on your own path and trying to live a life true to what you value - love that you’ve had a life full of experience and are now working your dream job! 😊

[@Malekfahad420]

Hey Kathleen, really nice video ! I was wondering if I could help you with Best Quality Editing in your videos better than your Editor with good pricing and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail which will help your videos to reach to a wider audience ? Pls let me know what do you think ?

[@kathleenanne]

Hey there, if you could please email me via [e-mail] and share some more details (portfolio, cost, what you use for editing etc), and I’ll consider 😊