I already know that my friends, family members, and coworkers that are older than me probably view this as a total non-issue but anyone who knows me knows that I always have 1,267 things to do simultaneously in the span of 48 hours.
I, like other people I know, had my "By the time I'm 25" list of things that I wanted to accomplish. 2008 was not the best year but it definitely wasn't the worst. A lot of exciting things happened and although I didn't get through as much of the list as I would have liked, I did make some progress. The further away 25 started to appear and the closer 26 became, I wondered "What about my list?"
Well, guess what happened to that list? I lost part of it in the midst of my stack of "To Do" lists and what is left is now the "I'm turning 26 and it's kinda scary" list.
1. I used to believe that I wanted to be married by the time I was 25. Well once I turned 25, I realized that I didn't even know who I was yet and until I figured that out and learned how to accept that, no one else would. Most recently, I started a new relationship with one of the most genuine, loving people that I've ever met. If I had been married by the time I was 25, I would have missed out on the best thing in my life right now.
2. I used to believe that by the time I was 25 I would be at the pinnacle of my career and living a lavish life as a member of the glitterati very much like the women I envied on "Sex and the City." Soon after, I realized that at 25 I was still trying to figure out what career I even wanted and that most likely the career I started would ultimately be different than the career I chose. While there are many glamorous benefits to Manhattan, Chicago is not Manhattan, but I'm okay with that.
3. I used to believe that I would have my Master's degree by the time I was 25; not an incredibly lofty goal and reasonably attainable, right? After being on the accelerated path and finishing my Bachelor's degree in 3 years versus 4, I took a much needed 2 year break and wouldn't have traded it for the world. Those 2 years were very formative for me and allowed me to experience the world in a very real, organic way. I will have my Master's at 26, and will be able to offer myself and the world a much better perspective.
I don't specifically remember what else was on the "By the time I'm 25" list but I remember it being something about writing a book, traveling the globe and changing the world. Although some of these things have not been completed yet, when I turned 25 I realized that the one thing that I have (for all intents and purposes) is time, and that isn't so scary.
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Nice blog! Brings up something that's on a lot of our minds. We had big expectations when we were in our mid to late teens about where we were all gonna wind up when we were in our 20's and for most of us, when high school ended, it was nothing like what we had pictured. I have no degree, no wife, no house, no career... and I know if I told my 17 year old self that at 25 that's where I stood he would never understand the sense of pride I have about what I have accomplished... so I don't have a single expectation about my 30s ;)
ReplyDeleteComing from someone who turned 26 on Sunday, I can completely relate to everything you just said. So much that I got pretty teary at several points while reading this. It's amazingly beautiful how we have the power to direct our lives at times, yet the things we have no control over sometimes change us more...and teach us the best lessons about ourselves. I would not want to be anywhere else at this moment in my life...yea, things aren't 100% perfect, but I stand here, as another proud, strong and determined 26-year-old woman ready to change the world beside you! Happy 26th.
ReplyDeletehewk's "i don't have a single expectation about my 30s" and BeYou's "the things we have no control over sometimes change us more"... could not have put my thoughts into words more succinctly. my list at 25 looked much like yours - married, graduate w/ masters, homeowner and world traveler. alas my life and it's adventures have taught me to take it a day at a time and enjoy it all even the days that make you want to crawl under a rock and rot. instead i just hope for a strong love, confidence to find what i love to do and the stability to live a life with a passport in my back pocket.
ReplyDeletei admire your new 26!
Hey, 26 is the new 16 right? Don't worry, all of us are sure to follow the same treacherous path to 30 soon. Bags under the eyes, longer hangovers, and waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom will creep into our lives sooner rather than later. You should't focus on what you haven't accomplished before turning 26, but rather what you have accomplished. I am sure that if you look at your life in this manner, you will feel better about turning 26. Take Care
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