They say it’s tough to be a teenager because you don’t feel like a child anymore but you are not an adult either. It is something in between. I am 26 and I still feel like that.
Some of friends are already married and have kids. When I meet them it’s all about the kids. First teeth, baptism, diarrhoea, diapers…well the usual baby topics.
When everybody knows the latest baby updates we talk about how incredibly old we are although we are all twenty-somethings.
On the other hand, there are my friends who still live in a dorm and enjoy their life as students including sleeping until 2pm and partying four times a week.
Most people I know either are in the student or in the baby stage. I am wondering what happened to the stage in between?! The stage where you build a career, live in a nice apartment, travel, spend lots of money on fantastic clothes and go to hip parties.
I mean there must be something between a dorm and a diaper! I can’t identify with any of them at the moment. I don’t feel old but I am definitely done with my student life!
I read in the German magazine Spiegel that my generation tend to marry at a younger age again due to insecurity – economic insecurity but also emotional insecurity. The latter means the feeling that you don’t know what to do with your life. Starting a family is definitely a way to make life more meaningful and secure because there are people around you who are always there for you (in the best case).
I think the wish to study as long as possible has similar roots. The university gives security since you have a plan of your life as long as you are a student. If people ask what you are doing you always have an easy and clear answer.
I don’t want to criticise the decisions of other people but it would be great if my interests were a little bit more respected because I am sure that there is a stage between the dorm and the diaper. People with babies sometimes forget that not everybody is as fascinated by first teeth as they are. People can have other passions. For me it’s fashion, music and gender politics.
Sometimes students can’t understand if I don’t want to join the next big party and throw a couch out of the window. Therefore I have been called “boring adult” lately.
I am not boring! But yes, I am an adult.
Ah to be 26 again and know what I know now that would be great. Just hang in there you will find your own way soon enough.
)
Report abuse »
I wish I was in my 20’s! (even late 20’s:) At 26 I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life so far: got married! Watch your step!:)
Report abuse »
Hi there,
great article. I am 28, hopefully this year I will finally finish my master degree. However I have no idea what to do after. Looks like either continue studying (makes me feel young forever. I do not even need to attend all the parties) or jumping into the diaper season of my life (my partner is older. Even yesterday was sort of too late to conceive
). Sadly, I think for me there will not be any between, which brings a whole lot of other problems.
Anyway, cheer up. Everyone says that after 30, life is great
Report abuse »
There is lots between dorms and diapers – but too many people settle for what is easy and miss it. Find your own way and ignore the critics, who are probably jealous of what you are doing. Keep seeking, observing & questioning.
Report abuse »
I don’t know why someone would go around reading a fashion blog and then say you should write about politics either! I’m 30 and returned to school, but I’m neither in the party stage nor the get married and have kids phase, so there are a lot of us out there. And I also I really enjoy your blog, and I think life would be boring if everyone dressed the same. Fashion is freedom to express who you are!
Report abuse »
Cool that you like my blog! I checked your as well. Very nice pictures!
Report abuse »
Hey,
I’m new here, and I was reading your blog because I work in the fashion industry in Paris, now looking for something here in Stockholm (just got here a few weeks ago). I understand what you say because I’m 26 as well and it is like that… its a between-stages age… not an adult-diaper kinda thing but neither the party animal … I know!
But on the other hand, I like your blog and the way you express your thoughts and perspectives.
Cool blog!
Report abuse »
Ah to be 26 again and know what I know now that would be great. Just hang in there you will find your own way soon enough
Report abuse »