Dear Age Gap,
Greetings from a twenty-something-year-old. Lately, we haven't been seeing eye to eye. You see, in my eyes, the world is my oyster; every opportunity can be mine.
In my world, I can do anything.
But in your world, I am young. I am nothing but strong opinions and lack of experience. There is nothing that I have seen or done that will prove my worth as an adult; my worth as an individual in your society.
But you see Age Gap, I have done a whole lot in my short twenty-something years of life.
I have traveled to 10 countries. By myself. In the dead of winter.
I have found the strength to get out of a manipulative relationship and move on.
I realized when a school wasn't right for me and proceeded to transfer to my dream university.
I kicked anorexia's butt.
I excelled at public speaking and found my passion through radio broadcast (and stated up my own music show).
I reached out and received counseling when going through my most depressive times.
I got rid of my social anxiety and started to order my own pizza over the phone.
I am young, but I am not incompetent. In fact, I am quite the opposite.
No, my credit score has not been established for very long, but I'm a quick learner.
No, I do not have 10 years of work experience under my belt, but I'm agile to change and perceptive enough to not be set in my ways.
Yes, I know I still have plenty to learn and many years to tell the story about it, but age does not always equate to wisdom. Maturity isn't always correlated to how many candles flicker on your birthday cake.
It's time that we stop diminishing the young's capability based on what we think they can achieve. We can never expect the younger generation to grow if we continue to limit them with our thoughts and actions.
Yes, I am young. But no I am not naive nor am I incapable. I am me. Full of untapped potential, ferocity, and a strong passion for life. Please do not squander it.
Sincerely,
A Twenty-Something
