25 Years : A Reflection

So, over the last 14 days, both myself and Assistant 2 have celebrated entering our 25th year of life. Not only did we make sure it was a grand celebration, we both realized that we were living epically different lives, yet still maintaining the same path. I knew turning 25 would be a great chapter opening in my life, but I've started to realize a few things that will now continue happening on a more frequent basis. I suppose that now that I can rent a car w/o the epic extra fees, there are some things that are expected by society. So - I tried to make them into a simplified list, so that every one else turning 25 will have a bit of a 'chapter of contents' to expect in this new page - turner of an age!

The Proverbial Question:
I've never been shy about where I come from and that it is country through and through. I love being from the country - we keep things simple and we love to breathe easy. However, along with that are the lowpoints. These lowpoints have become much more realized now that I'm 25. For example, the proverbial question comes up much more often. The proverbial question for those of us from the country is: Are you married? Do you have kids yet?

YET?? YET?!?!?! I'm still grappling with the fact I'm not in college any more, let alone thinking about procreating! And then there's that whole finding someone to put up with for a significant period of time to take on the procreating.

Life (and Photos, Books, Clothes, etc) Piling Up:
I'm not a fan of clutter as many of my former roommates are very aware. I'd much prefer to have a drawer for the clutter than have clutter sitting out - that's just how I roll. But I'm coming to learn that I'm accumulating much more STUFF. More clothes that are not tshirts and jeans/sweatpants acculumating in my closet. More photo frames gathering on my walls, dressers and bedside table. More jewelery on my necklace holder.

Then there are the things that don't physically accumulate. Baggage from relationships, jobs and experience piles on on. Responsibilities from work, family and friends becomes deeper and sometimes (hopefully) more rewarding. Pressure piles on: Pressure to get on the right career track, pressure to commit to something (career, city, relationship, etc), and pressure to start achieving all those things you dreamed about when you said "When I grow up....." I just hope that after all this pressure, we get diamonds on our toenails or something!

Mac & Cheese and Wine:
So, as significant an age as 25 is - there are certain things that we DON'T have to do. There are things, pieces of our past, that we can continue to hold on. Things that we can still keep, but that won't impede our growth. Things that will keep us wondering, keep us young and keep us amazed by this life we have. We don't have to give up meals that consist of wine and a boxed meal. We don't have to waver in our beliefs anymore because if we've been believing them this long, we might as well keep on with them. We don't have to settle. We don't have to let go of our youthful vices like Sour Patch Kids, Teen Romance Novels, and cheesey reality tv (I think there's a clause in our birth certificates that say these things need to relinguished at age 40. There may be some sort of Congressional Investigation Committee to look in to this and change it to 45 - we are living longer you know.)

Slowing Down, Speeding Up & Holding Steady:
Slower: Time it takes to run a mile; metabolism; time to enjoy a good glass of wine (You can't chug after age 25, its just not classy); spending time with family; enjoying a good meal with good friends.

Speeding Up: Stress from job, relationships, spawn; a want for travel and adventure; frequent flier point accumulation; the search for perfection.

Holding Steady: Sense of humor; enjoyment of caffeinated beverages; realization that you'll never be 20 again, nor will you ever be 15 again.

Exercise Ball Chairs:
The older we get, the more time we spend in a chair. No more midafternoon PE classes and no more elective courses in the physical education department. Lots of the time from waking to getting home for dinner is spent sitting. So, I've decided that from now on, I'm substituting my office chair for an exercise chair. I'm hoping that a) this will keep away those bothersome lower back problems and b) will work on those pesky ab problems associated with sitting so much.

The First of Many:
.... drive rental cars/trucks without extra fees.
.... start eliminating toxic friends without feeling bad about it.
.... travel internationally alone and afford it and feel ok splurging.
.... feel free to spend money on a nice bottle of wine and apps instead of gorging at dinner.
.... finding peace in being single, or alone on a Saturday night, or eating out in a party of one.