Everything Before 40 is Research: The Wild, Winding Path of Your 20s & 30s

In this episode of The ExtraOrdinary Self Podcast, we explore the wild, winding path of your 20s and 30s—a time often filled with pressure, comparison, chaos, and deep transformation. Maria reflects on why she calls everything before 40 “research” and unpacks the real work of early adulthood: detaching from who you were told to be, experimenting with identity, healing in relationships, navigating careers, and embracing divine detours. If you’ve ever felt behind, lost, or unsure in this season, this episode reminds you that you’re exactly where you need to be—and that becoming is messy, beautiful work.