Your 20s can feel like the most daunting experience of your life. Everyone tells you, “You’re only young once” or “These are the years you’ll remember” — usually from a well-meaning adult who really just… doesn’t get it. In a world that already feels increasingly unstable, so many 20-somethings are dealing with stress and anxiety about the future. Add in the pressure to decide who you are, how you show up, and even how you dress, and suddenly everything feels permanent when all you want is room to grow. Luckily, you’re not alone in your feelings, even if it doesn’t always seem that way.
Today, the digital world has opened incredible opportunities for learning, connection, and community. Online spaces like The Butterfly Collective and Sad Girls Club act like second living rooms, shared spaces where support feels abundant and belonging comes naturally. These communities remind us that the internet doesn’t have to be an escape; it can be a home.
Ahead, I’m highlighting five digital communities helping Gen Z women navigate the beautiful, chaotic decade that is your 20s — places to gather, reflect, and continue the never-ending process of figuring yourself out.
- Step Up
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Step Up, a community of girls and women 14-29 years-old, believes everyone deserves to define and pursue success on their own terms. Through guided support and a connected community, the organization empowers members to uncover their goals and map out the steps to reach them. From college and internships to building confidence or finding mentorship, they show up for every part of the journey.
- The Butterfly Collective
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The Butterfly Collective is a curated community of Gen Z women who bring authenticity, intention, and heart to the digital space. As Her Campus Media’s trusted community for values-driven campaigns, butterflies help spark meaningful conversations and shape a more thoughtful online experience for women in their 20s. Through exclusive partner opportunities and a shared commitment to positive impact, The Butterfly Collective uplifts the voices actively defining what a more beautiful future looks like. Ready to soar? Apply to join now.
- Sunnie
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You don’t need to have everything figured out to join Sunnie — an online space where young women and girls can explore their interests, express themselves, and step into their power. With young members on the advisory board directly shaping the platform, Sunnie stays rooted in what Gen Z women genuinely value: connection, authenticity, and community. The organization rolls out monthly digital zines and online interactive playbooks, making it easy for young women to tap into fresh ideas and engage with the community.
- Sad Girls Club
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As a nonprofit dedicated to destigmatizing mental wellness for women, girls, and femmes of color, Sad Girls Club is both an online platform and an in-person community for those navigating mental health challenges. Regardless of where you are on your mental health journey, the organization creates safe, supportive spaces that nurture connection and remind young women they’re never alone — a message that feels especially vital in your 20s.
- Girl Up
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Supporting more than 300,000 girls and young women, Girl Up is a girl-powered leadership movement championing those who are too often unheard and underrepresented. Girl Up brings together young changemakers and aspiring leaders, creating a space where every identity is seen, valued, and celebrated. With programs like Youth Voices, members don’t just participate — they help shape the vision and spark real change, building their identities and discovering their voices all at once.
Your 20s aren’t meant to be figured out all at once. They’re about finding spaces that let you grow, question, and become. Whether you’re looking for mentorship, mental health support, creative inspiration, or simply a place to belong, these digital spaces offer something powerful: permission to evolve.