“This phenomenon, known as the “Quarterlife Crisis,” is as ubiquitous as it is intangible. Unrelenting indecision, isolation, confusion and anxiety about working, relationships and direction is reported by people in their mid-twenties to early thirties who are usually urban, middle class and well-educated; those who should be able to capitalize on their youth, unparalleled freedom and free-for-all individuation. They can’t make any decisions, because they don’t know what they want, and they don’t know what they want because they don’t know who they are, and they don’t know who they are because they’re allowed to be anyone they want.” —
Welcome to Your Quarterlife Crisis (via skidder) (via caro)
Welcome to the Paradox of Choice. Your problem is that you can do whatever you want. So you can’t do anything.
(via mikehudack) (via sangwonyoon)
“So many college students and recent graduates are heading to where they least expected: back home, and facing an unfamiliar prospect: downtime, maybe too much of it. To a high-achieving generation whose schedules were once crammed with extracurricular activities meant to propel them into college, it feels like an empty summer — eerie, and a bit scary.” — Getting Through the Summer Job Blues - NYTimes.com
Best Craigslist Post I've Ever Seen
From her address to the Princeton Class of 2009 (via Mere):
Third, I have a message particularly for all you young women here today…or as Beyonce might say, all the single ladies. John Lennon once wrote “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
I’m sure you are all graduating with big career goals. You may also have a dream of being married and having a family, and at some point the career may take a backseat. There is no more challenging, rewarding or important job than being a mom. I just want to say this—sometimes dreams of domestic bliss are interrupted by reality. People get divorced. People die. You need to protect yourself. I was very happily married to a wonderful man. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and nine months later, he was gone. I was a single mom with two very young children. This was not part of the plan. Luckily, I had a career and therefore the financial independence to support my children. Many women in my situation are not nearly as fortunate. And while I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer, I want you all to be prepared for the unexpected and approach some of the big life decisions you’ll be making with your eyes wide open.
I just threw out my Absolut ad collection I’ve had since middle school.
Cheers to new beginnings.
“Millions for quantum physics and deconstructing Dostoevsky, nothing on how to make enchiladas for 20 people.” — Dear Graduate - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com
It’s a wonderful day to surprise yourself, so take a few chances where you might not have taken a chance before. You need to try more things and worry about failure another time. Life can be a numbers game, so the more new things you get involved with, the better your chances of finding your true purpose. Let go of a past mistake, because you’re holding yourself back by replaying it over and over again in your mind. It’s time to move on.
“I think we can all agree, we did not get to where we are alone. Our success was made possible with the encouragement of a diligent parent or teacher, a grandparent who told us we had real talent, an older sibling who paved the way and set a good example, a scholarship or grant that created an unexpected opportunity, or a neighbor or community leader who told us to dream big. That’s certainly been the case in my own life. I stand here today because of people who loved me, and pushed me and believed in me. I stand here today because of scholarships and grants and experiences that gave me opportunities I was afraid to dream of.”
— Michelle Obama at the Time 100 Most Influential People Awards
Done with college.