The generation who wants to prove to the world (ourselves) that we can.
Twenty's: A time for trial and error. A time to muster the courage to discover who we are. A time to edit the stories we tell ourselves. A time of constantly trying to figure our life out. A time for the endless search for independence. A time where every decision feels like the most important decision you will ever make. A time where the tyranny of the should-be's haunt us.
As I reach my Thirty's. I am here to tell you. This is the time to roll the dice and collect Mario Party coins by trying, trying, trying and making mistakes.
It comes in waves:
I studied, took the bus, made new friends that felt like family, missed my graduation cruise, my family moved to the US, graduated college magna cum laude, declined 2 out of state job offers, moved back with my parents, my long term boyfriend moved to my city, searched for a new job, applied, interviewed, got my first leased car, moved to a new city and started a new job, quit my job, worked an hourly job, moved back with my parents, started a new job, was promoted at my job, left for a new job after 3 years, cut my hair short, moved in with my best friend, got let go at my job because of covid, moved in with my long term boyfriend, searched for a new job, applied, interviewed, started a new remote job, dealt with anxiety, moved to a different state, got my first bought car, my sister got married, made new friends, got a puppy, travelled to my home country after 9 years, got engaged, got legally married.
Ups and downs: waves.
Our twenty's is the time when we are looking for an answer to the most hated question of all: 'what do you do?'.
Why do people like this question so much? If no one in their twenties likes to answer it.
IT IS OKAY NOT TO KNOW. It is okay to take your time and figure it out.
I wish we could all be honest and say 'I don't know'.
Why aren't conversations more like 'How do you feel?' 'What makes you happy?' 'What do you like to do?'. So instead of feeling judged we would have more meaningful conversations.
I love it when someone says 'because I know you'.
I hate it when someone says 'that is not you'.
What is the obsession with defining everyone and everything? of assigning categories and stereotypes?
Your twenty's are a weird time specially with your parents. You are old enough to make decisions yet still look for their guidance. For the first time the glass mirror breaks of the perfect image you have of them, and you can see them for how they truly are without those rose-colored glasses: imperfect humans, like everyone else. You feel like they (but truly ourselves) do not think you have what it takes. But it is up to you to show them (mostly show yourself) the contrary. Make them see you as an adult (see yourself as an adult). My mom struggled a lot with not having control over what I did anymore. And my dad used the disappointment card. Both making me feel judged and guilty for not living up to their expectations (a very important word here is: their).
You will probably have your first 9-5 job. Your first boss. You will soon realize office drama is a thing. And you are back to lunchboxes. I am here to tell you to have confidence in yourself: 'Work is not as personal as you imagine it to be. The confidence that overrides insecurity comes from experience.' So go get that experience. (The Defining Decade by Meg Jay) - go read it now. Your learning curve is an arrow pointing upward with a rocket on its tail.
At the end, this is a time in life for self-growth. Dive in.
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