The 20s Conundrum

The 20s Conundrum

So you've done it.
You've graduated.
Not only from uni but hopefully to the next stage in life.

You've learned how to do laundry on your own, after weeks of getting reds mixed with whites, and adding new streaks to your part time job uniform. You've lived with a bunch of not so clean housemates. Cleaned the toilet for the first time. Had your first hangover. You've also now learned how to behave in a restaurant, and hopefully how not to. You think you've mastered the task of how to make new friends while you may have lose touch with others. It's that time of life where everything is a peculiar mix of confusion and achievement. You're on the verge of something bigger you can feel it.

But is it really there? I've had discussions with girlfriends and we've all agree this may be us entering the -quarter life crisis'. A few authors have tackled this somewhat new found argument and you can read all about in books by the likes of Christine Hassler and Alexandra Robbins, I'm sure there must be a wide array of other authors that have now emerged.

Society dictates that you should now have a paper that says you are now qualified in something, a degree that says she can now learn to be a nurse in the real world, or he can now learn hands on what it means to be an engineer. But are we really equipped? Of course throwing yourself in the deep end can sometimes be the best way to do it, it may sound harsh but trust me that's what happened to me. You will learn to swim because you have to right?

But what if there are some mistakes you don't have to make? We have so many expectations on us now that we are sometimes forced into making rash decisions without basing them on what we truly feel is right. Our heads are filled with thoughts of what to do next, how will I get there? and what is it going to take to get me there? Which, well to me, seem all like very important questions, heck I ask myself that every day. The world has so many opportunities open to us and yet we feel trapped at the same time based on our set of thoughts and beliefs. We feel we have to make that ever-defining decision that will determine the rest of our lives. But that's not really correct is it? Making one choice that is permanent, will define the rest of your life? Really?

So many people say that looking back on their 20s they had wished they had relaxed more. That they, like us, had no idea what they truly wanted to be when they 'grew up". They tell me they didn't realise they could have followed their dreams a little closer if they hadn't gotten caught into the web of conforming so much. A lady I know told me she had studied microbiology in university, and worked in a lab for 8 years before quitting and making her home in job that was much more aligned with her passions. 20 years later, she now works as a manager in the hotel industry and loves her job. But then another argument pops into your head as you read this, but what about my degree? I've spent years of my life completing it, spent thousands of dollars. I can't just throw away all that. And what would my parents think? Or what if my dream job seems to be something that isn't going to make as much money as the one I have been trained for? I guess these are all valid questions. And I'm not saying quit your job now, I'm certainly not. But I guess from everyone older than me advice, is that if you love your job you're going to grow in it, and you're going to be able to climb higher to make good money in it, because you are genuinely interested in it. Could this really be true?

What do you think? Or are we really just thinking too much and should just live? I hope I can look back at this blog in say 10-15 years time and have the answers to this, from life experience what kind of person will I be then? Until then, I shall enjoy being in this moment, live through my little 20s crisis, try to relax more, read more books and enjoy the journey of life as I go.

Further Reading:
Hassler, C. 2005, '20-something, 20-everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction", New World Library.
see: www.christinehassler.com/books

By Camille Lariana
www.IslandMeetsCity.com

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