Life as a 20-something

Many of us struggle through life, especially in youth. It’s a funny thing really. We’re told that the 20-something period is an amazing part of life, yet, it’s so easy to fidget and wish time away in hopes of finding clarity. I often find myself doing this.

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Over the weekend, I was thinking about how many phases I’ve been through just in 2013. I’m constantly trying to define who I am and what I stand for. If only we can stop trying to define and start enjoying the ride.

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Life passes us by so quickly. Sometimes, simple reminders can help extinguish an overactive, rapid- fire mind.

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I try to constantly remind myself not to count down the minutes. Even if I don’t know every defining trait to myself, one day I will. We just need to remember that with all of these changes, we’re becoming stronger and learning so much along the way.

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So do what I do and tell yourself that whatever ceases to be perfect at this moment, will work itself out in time.

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Live life to the fullest.

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And when all else fails, go get some froyo. 😀

My favorite froyo combo from last night

My favorite toppings froyo combo from last night

Writing is an amazing thing. Whether you consider yourself a writer or not, here are some tips from the always provocative Thought Catalog.

 

Question of the day: How do you slow yourself  down to enjoy the moment?

Here’s 21 Secrets for your 20s. My favorite is “11. If at some point between 22 – 27 you feel like you’re six years old again, lost and alone at the San Diego Zoo (it’s a big-frickin-zoo), frantically searching for a familiar face – hold tight, you’re experiencing a bit of a Quarter-Life Crisis. Stay put. Pray a lot. And in no time someone will call your name across the loud speaker to tell you where you can be found.”

Enjoy your moment today.

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42 thoughts on “Life as a 20-something

  1. Amanda says:

    I find myself doing that a lot: wishing it was 2015 so I can see where I am and stop feeling like I’m stuck. I think as long as we’re living with intention and not wasting everything because we think we have a ton of time to figure everything out, we’re good. There was a great TED Talk about this recently. If we’re going after what it is we want or taking definite steps to figure it out, I think we’ll be fine.

  2. pickyrunner says:

    I struggle with staying in the moment too. It’s easy to look ahead and see what’s coming and forget about just living. Great point!

  3. Francene Katzen says:

    All you 20 year olds. .. please stay in the moment and dont wish one SECOND away. . . before you know it you will be in your 50’s and not even know where the years have gone. Wish I had been given this advice in my 20’s.

  4. Thank you for posting this. I am LOVING #11 as well. It is so fitting for me at this point in my life.

  5. Courtney says:

    This is an amazing post 🙂

  6. NDBalances says:

    “The grass is always greener on the other side, until you get there and realize it’s because of all the manure.”
    HAHA i’ve never heard of this saying before, but i believe it to be true! i’m just embarking on my 20s and strive to be a little more adventurous because i know that this abundance of free time won’t be as common when i’m older (with, hopefully, a secure job, loving husband, and crazy kids ;)). this is a great post, it really puts life in a new perspective! kudos 🙂

  7. jumpeatrun says:

    So true about the 20’s. Mine were pretty tumultuous actually and things have been much calmer and saner since turning 30….but they were also a lot of fun. Try to enjoy the ride because they will be over before you know it! I still can’t believe I’m turning 32 this week!!

  8. Beautiful post. We all need to take time for ourselves to slow it down and savor in the moment.

  9. Such a wonderful tribute to life in your twenties. I always feel like I’m running and racing to the “next big thing” too. Except maybe when I was in college. I never wanted that to end…

  10. moderngirlnutrition says:

    I can so relate to that first picture/quote- so true. Thanks for this post and all the inspiration girl!

  11. bezzymates says:

    From your blog I can see that you are a strong young lady with a loving bond to your family. Oh, and you love desserts.

  12. Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com says:

    Like you and so many others, I too spend so much of my focus thing about what’s next. I know that and am cognizant of it. In a way I look at is as a blessing. BECUASE I am aware that I race through the present, I actively monitor myself to just chill sometimes. That awareness can help.

    I know that makes no sense, but it is kind of surmised by a conversation I had with my manger’s manager’s manager today. He asked me what I saw myself doing down the road. I told him I had no idea and all I knew was that right now I was trying to absorb EVERYTHING and figure it out along the way. His response: Good, if you said you knew what you wanted to be when you grow up, I would have known I made a bad hire.
    I digress, anyways, I guess what I’m trying to say is that all we can do it try 🙂

  13. livliveslife says:

    That quote by Arnold Bennett is fantastic. Wow.
    I often have to remind myself to stop and enjoy the moment I am in. Otherwise, the days pass me by and I feel guilty for not enjoying them more! Great post. 🙂

  14. Carrie says:

    It’s tough not to look forward and want to fast forward a few years: where will I be in 2014, 2015 … or 2020?

  15. Runner Girl Eats says:

    I love this post. My 20s have been terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. I’ve been trying to stop and enjoy it more lately. There’s a lot of pressure but I’m focusing on finding the joy in everything.

  16. Angela @ Health's Angel says:

    I was just telling my coworker today about how I feel like I’m on the verge of that quarter life crisis. Lately my mind’s just be wandering, thinking about what it is I should be doing with myself. I’ll be 24 in July, so I’m sure it’s approaching.
    I’ve always struggled with living in the moment, but it seems to be getting more difficult in my 20s. It’s such a rocky time, and part of me wishes things were just stable. But at the same time, it can be thrilling.

  17. Hahahah I love the very end. Froyo ftw!

  18. Love this post. I have that Buddha quote saved on my desktop. I love it because I’m so guilty of mentally rushing through life. It reminds me to slow myself down and enjoy the moment. And yes, I’ve been lost many, many times are the San Diego zoo!

  19. Kaitlin says:

    Why is this so true? I swear I spend most of my time wondering what to do with my life and if I’m making the right choices and making the most of things. It’s all about balance and chilling out. I love these quotes and it’s a perfect reminder that everything will work out and everything happens for a reason. That’s what I like to believe. And yes, when in doubt…froyo is a brilliant solution 😉

  20. Such an amazing and beautiful post! I definitely struggle with living in the moment. I’m always thinking about what’s next that I forget the importance of what’s now. Life seems to speed up every single day, I don’t want to miss out! It’s posts like these and quotes like you posted that make me take a step back and see where I’m at. So thank you!!

  21. Brittany says:

    I am loving these kinds of posts right now, it seems a few bloggers have been writing more serious/heartfelt posts about life. I wrote a draft post about some life struggles and just have to find the right time to publish it!! Trusting in life to work itself out even in the hard times has been huge for me.

  22. I feel like I was doing that a lot when I was in school. I just wanted to be done and move on. Now that I’m married and have a lil boy I feel like I’m constantly trying to slow it down. Time flies when you have kids and I just want to enjoy my 20’s. I love this reminder. Thanks so much!

  23. Katherine says:

    Even though I’m not 20 something, I love this post. I always want time to fly by and just be in college and start my life already, but I really need to remember to enjoy life in the moment. It just flies by, so thank you for this lovely reminder!

  24. megbek says:

    This is a great reminder of how to live life. I am constantly struggling with planning and preparation and in turn, forgetting about what’s happening right now. Though, I do think that blogging is a huge help lately – with memories and doing what I want, when I want. I love that list! I found it through pinterest and it’s SO true!

  25. You put a lot of what I’ve been feeling as I begin my 20’s into words. There’s a lot of pressure for college students like me to know exactly what we want in life. At the same time it’s a good thing to not have a clue what you want, but to enjoy each moment, experience new things and let the pieces of your life fall into place. Enjoyyy the rideee! 🙂

  26. Allie says:

    This is absolutely gorgeous and JUST the memo I need. Yes, let’s just be us in the moment! And go get froyo. Seriously, pretty sure I now want froyo for dinner…

  27. Meredith says:

    thank you for posting this! It was so refreshing to read. I often think it’s just me who feels like I’m sometimes wishing my days away because of troubles and stress. I try to slow down and think “I’m only young once, so enjoy this!”

  28. This was a great post! I am going through my crazy phase now. I am turning 25 and sometimes I don’t know whats going to happen past August of this year. You just really have to sit back and take every day one at a time. This is the years where we figure it out and establish ourselves. Some people have it more together then others. I use to find that intimidating but now where I am right now, is where I need to be. All the struggles I go through are a lesson and I learning from every one of them, whether good or bad. Keep on keeping on 🙂

  29. jessielovestorun says:

    Beautiful post! It can be so hard to stay in the moment, and not wish for the future. But just take a deep breath, and look around you. Notice all the wonderful people you’re surrounded with? Yup, those are the reasons that I try to take day by day. Why wish away those moments that could be memories with others ❤

  30. This is such an amazing post, Alex!

    I’m just over halfway through my 20s and it has been a wild ride, believe me. In fact, just writing that sentence boggles my brain.

    I have been obsessed with the concept of mindfulness lately. I’m trying to learn how to find a balance between staying in the today and thinking about tomorrow. It’s hard to set goals without looking forward to the future…but it’s also hard to enjoy the fruits of your goals without focusing on the present!

  31. SUCH a great reminder to enjoy the stage of life that I’m in! I can get so caught up with getting to the “next” thing. I need to stop and enjoy life 🙂

  32. Cindy says:

    Life is a wonderful journey and we are constantly developing as individuals.

    “The self is not something one finds, it is something one creates” ~Thomas Szasz

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  35. What a thoughtful post! I think I slow myself time but trying to focus on balance. For the summer, I decreased my hours at my job and am hoping to enjoy this time (right after my 20’s) living life to the fullest!

  36. I love this post!! Such an awesome way to refocus perspective, and the Thought Catalog article is awesome!! 🙂

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