Ten Feelings You Experience in Your 20's

1.       FOMO is not limited to those in the twenties. Put simply, it stands for “fear of missing out”  I always FOMO from the time I could walk. I wanted to be included in everything- birthday parties, parties, more parties. If I was not invited it was like Def Con 5 in my house. Everyone had to tiptoe around Leigh. Two parties on the same day also happened and  I would do my best make both (usually missing the cakes). Now FOMO means less parties, more Dungeons and Dragons campaigns that I was not invited to or board games nights. I didn’t like that. Still don’t. I believe everyone should be included and uninviting someone is a childish and hurtful. But we won't get into that.

2.       Jealousy usually peaks in the early twenties when you are lusting over your friends girl or his biology GPA: before you are thrown out into the real world where these petty jealousies disintegrate in light of housing costs and bills. My way to handle jealousies (and this is not an option sometimes) is go for a really cold walk.  If the weather doesn’t permit there is always a cold shower but you know, I’d rather not get my hair wet.

3.       Loneliness is big because people are moving out, living alone or moving in with someone they don’t necessarily know or like. I had my own room freshmen year. Not because I was a bad roommate but the other girl didn’t like being in the Arts Dorm Building, so I fit in. I never felt lonely. There was a friend (or two) in every room. Plus I had two groups I was friends with so they could always fill in. It was hard to go from that much support to being alone a lot.

4.       Some people are lazy and need to be coaxed along. But some people just happened to work-acholic from birth. It can’t them through high school, college (with minor breakdowns) but once they enter the workforce they can easily burn out, especially if you are working remote or self-employed. You need to establish some rules for yourself, like not working before or after six or having two days a week off. Overworked employees  aren’t very useful to their employers.

5.       Wedding Lust. Means you want to get married. And wedding chimes, bridal gowns, and bachelorette parties are on everybody’s radar: you want to be the start of that show. You are already picking out your wedding party, cake and how you will look amazing in that dress (or tux).

6.       Child Lust: This is something I experience acutely going through since I don’t think (and I have explained this one here) I will ever become a mother. It physically hurts me to see babies, mamas and daughters walking together, dad playing ball in the backyard. I want one so badly. Honestly, it feels cruel to deprive me of it.

7.       The Day You Stopped Drinking To Get Drunk

Remember those early twenties, when you could throw back a 12 pack and then throw up all over the carpet. Then again, maybe you don’t remember. But now that idea seems….childish. Why can’t you just savor your drink? No, you are not the DD but that doesn’t mean you have to stand on the couch like a neanderthal. How about a game of cards where we keep our clothes on?

8.       Contemplating Your Own Mortality

Maybe it’s a movie or a book. Or a political speech (doubtful). Or a motivational Hallmark card. Something makes you realize you won’t be around forever. Hell, you won’t be 28 forever.  You need to appreciate the moment for what it is. Enjoy the small things. They could go any minute.

9.       Going back to school

Wait, just before you grace the thirties with your presence is it too late to go back to school? I mean all the hot girls would be barely legal. But the tests would be just as hard which is why we didn’t pass school in the first place. But maybe your brain has grown by then. Or maybe that’s not how any of this works.

10.   Proud to Have Survived the Roaring Twenties

I could swear it would feel so different being thirty. Our taxes are the same and tequila still gives us headaches. But thirty isn’t so bad. It’s actually a nice place to be. But I’ll always remember the good times from the Roaring Twenties were. Except the times I don’t.