20-Something & Proud
Fact of Life: Being a woman in my 20s can be confusing. I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my age for quite sometime now. One moment I’m proud to be a young and carefree girl and the next moment I’m shunning my youth. This feeling consumes me, everywhere I turn…at the grocery store, nightlife, work, dating. I can’t buy wine without a strange look from the cashier who over-examines my ID convinced it’s a fake. At bars, I can’t “act my age” without the notion of disregard from 30-something spectators. At work I fear sharing my age will impede my advancement. And on the dating scene, when I share my age with a man who is seemingly interested, the usual reply is always “wow…you’re still a baby!” or something of the sort. Even the media nowadays makes the 20s feel like your teenage years, labeling 30-somethings the “new 20s”. Is being a 20-something really supposed to suck?
After further scrutiny of my age, I realized something. In the midst of my over-analysis and suffocation of my youth, my 20s are flashing before my eyes. No, I can’t change my age. But yes, I can enjoy it while it lasts. I’m young, carefree, wild and outrageous. That’s what your 20s are for: To be selfish and experience life with little to no obligation to anything but yourself. To relish in life and not feel guilty, self-conscious or resentment about it.
That’s right, you 30-something reader…shake your head saying “silly 20-something.” But while you’re shaking your head, I’m going to go out, get wasted on a Monday night, make a fool of myself, get up in the morning, grab a bagel and coffee, pop an aspirin and jump straight into work fresh as new ready to take your job. Well, that’s a little harsh but you get my point…being you ain’t as good as you once were [cough in your 20s cough].
So I’ll laugh and happily flash 1987 when the cashier cards me for wine. I’ll appreciate it when I’m in my 30s and I no longer get carded.
And I’ll smile at the 30-something woman at the bar judging my every move. Because the truth of the matter is, her criticism is just nostalgia incognito.
And I’ll use my age to my advantage at work. Yes, I’m brand new to the corporate scene. But this baby’s got a lot of miles in her and is dying to take a road trip.
And I’ll agree when men call me “a baby”. Darn right, I am a little puppy. And you should appreciate it too. Because have you ever tried to teach an old dog new tricks?
Fact of Life Updated: I am a proud 22-year-old woman livin’ it up NYcity no longer masked with shame or confusion. Here’s to my 20s…:)
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The key, of course, is to hit that stride where you’re happy to be you and you aren’t letting anyone put their thoughts of “act your age” or what you “can” and “can’t” do on your shoulders. Seems like you’re already there, to me. Keep it that way and you’ll love your 30s through your 90s!