Obsessed with BlackBerry, iPhone and Android? How about some of us who are still addicted to games; Wii, PS3, Emulator King for PC (Do people still have them?), Dota, etc...Fashionista? Cupcakes-luvva? Pretentious Diva? Struggling with weight, BMI and complexion? Sports-maniac?NikeRunner or RunKeeper? XXX-maniac? Living like a bohemian? Hippies? Player? Biatch? Extreme-conservative, ultra-progressive, liberals or partisans? Guitar-pro or guitar-poser? Drummer?....Don't worry! 20 to 30 years of age is our "Adult Adolescence" years...and we could just do whatever we want...for now...
I will be 26 soon and it's the next half of this so-called adult adolescence years...So I'll write based on what I see around me...something from me, my friends...younger and elder adults than me...
In our early 20s (22-23), we just graduated from our undergraduate studies...Some took longer time (doctors, lawyers and late-bloomers?)...we were geared up for life...with a degree in hand...we have dreams and aspirations...we thought we know everything about what we want from our career...
but the reality is...no matter how popular and famous we were in college...how smart we were in marking the dean's list...in the real world, we're back at the bottom of the food chain...again!
20-30s is the time to discover our true career...try to find ways to enjoy what we're doing right now...even if we're frustrated, just think it as a temporary phase...this is the most important time to gain valuable career experience...learn to deal with people we don't really like...learn new skills you never knew you have...make money and enjoy what you do.
In 20s, dating life is like starting all over again...but this time "its playing for keeps"...we will start thinking of the possibilities that we were dating a person we might want to marry one day...along the way, you'll figure out you still have a lot to learn...you don't want to date undergraduate girls cause they are too young for you...and you'll find out that older women want to date guys in their mid-20s...but don't get jacked off...learn to process it and determine what the lesson is...so you don't repeat the same mistake...it is really a time to learn...if you are with your long-termed partner...bring new sparks into the relationship...change the way you treat each other...find new interesting things to look forward together...maybe it's the time to move closer to the next step...you just have to keep in mind that the girl you are dating now might be the one you gonna live together for the rest of your life...so could you stand her babbling? could she understand your needs? I know it's a longggg list of checklists but now is the time to check it! Before the 'M' word being discussed, try to list all the traits you like about her...and try to imagine living with her without all the traits...if you could love her in any circumstances, only then, you could discuss the 'M' word....What you love about her might not be there forever...Looks, it will change over time with wrinkles and lines...Her caring nature and tenderness, what if she caught a serious illness where you will be the one providing her needs? The way she loves you, what if one day she could not even remember your name?...waking up everyday with no memory of yesterday? Will you still love her the way you love her now? If you could...then she is the one for you! Same to girls out there, check your guys!
Work hard but relax when you need to. Go out there and meet people. Talk to as many as you could, learn from the experiences. Figure out who you are through your interactions with other people and with yourself. Relax, dig in and learn all you can.
Finance. Most of us will not be living with our parents anymore, although some do. Surely, there will be a time of low-tide, having a little bit of cash with outstanding balance of credit card debts. You'll eat only at cheap joints mostly to cover your occasional splurge at fancy restaurants and cafes....not to mention your branded clothes and shoes...When you have a great career one day, you'll look back and think of it as one of the favorite times in your life.
An older friend told me, enjoy your adult adolescence because this time is magical. The stress is there but the 'Wow' will become the stuff for good memories as we get older.
One important thing is not to compare yourself to any of your friends who may be having incredible financial success. This life is long and not a sprint...If you reach the maximum too early, there will be plateau and stagnant period at the time you are not supposed to...better conduct your finances like a marathon, you'll better off in the long run...Save money each week by cutting the non-essentials...start the nesting egg and don't worry about starting small...Look into some investment funds that have done well over the long haul (Strictly NOT pyramid scheme or MLM).
You moods may change too and there will be times you get a little depressed at times. But don't beat yourself up and don't be too hard on yourself. Understand that things will be fine and believe that you'll be having a wonderful, amazing, kick-ass life...
Look at this time now as the time to make mistakes, learn from it, grow, and figure yourself out in order to plan for a great future! and GOD knows about it...Always pray for chances and repent when you need to...
p/s: Pictures were old memories in the author's hard drive, edited with HDR-ish touch and have no direct linkages to the article.
