No one warns you about the feelings of your late twenties
Take it from a person who definitely didn’t see it coming. I feel that no one warned me about the feelings I encountered in my late twenties. There are all of these lessons and cautions for sixteen, eighteen, twenty-five, and thirty. But what about twenty-eight? At that age, I found myself thinking, Why didn’t anyone warn me that this crossroads lay ahead? The feelings during this time of my life were unexpected and intricate, made up of the weight of trying not to disappoint my twenty-one-year-old self while also making decisions that my forty-year-old self could live with. At this age, you might find yourself thinking about who you were, who you are, and who you want to be all at the same time.
As an early twentysomething, I asked myself questions like, Is this all there is? or Is what I’m working on good for my career? As I aged, the weight of the questions and feelings got heavier. As a late twenty- something, I asked myself questions like Is what I’m working on good for the world and sustainable for my future? Is this fulfilling enough to be my forever? or Is it possible to consider being a mom in this career? This was the particular crossroads I came to earlier than I expected. I was twenty-nine when the reality sank in that only one female in my department with “senior” in her title also answered to Mom, and work/life balance seemed impossible for me to ever achieve.
The crossroads might not be twenty-eight or twenty-nine for you, but there may come a time when you become concerned not only with what’s good for the world and for your future but also for your children (or future children) while still making good on the expectations you set for yourself.
Consider yourself warned, it can be a heavy load to carry. If you haven’t gotten to your late twenties yet, be proactive in taking the time to recognize the things you’ve accomplished instead of only dwelling on the ones that you haven’t yet. Also, take a look around your office or industry. Is there a female superior to you who lives a life you would want to emulate? However, if you, like me, missed the warning and have fully experienced the weight of these questions, know that it’s never too late to evaluate what’s important to you now and make changes. After all, you’re likely only about a third of the way through this incredible life you’ve been gifted.
This content was originally posted on Thrive Global - Caution Late 20s Crossroads Ahead.