The Rush to Grow Up In Our 20s
Start writing a post
Life Stages

You're In Your 20s, Why On Earth Would You Rush To Grow Up?

Everyone from my hometown is getting married and having kids, meanwhile, I just finished the whole series "Sex and the City" in two weeks.

708
two children making funny faces

Everyone in college is always talking on social media about how "everyone from their high school is getting married or having babies." When they say this, they are probably referring to the 2 or 3 people from their graduating class that got knocked up or randomly tied the knot. When I tell my friends the number of people from MY hometown getting married and having babies, they are shocked. I am not exaggerating when I say every week someone new is posting on Instagram or Facebook that they are pregnant or engaged. I can't even keep up with it anymore.

This could be because I come from a relatively small town surrounded by cornfields and not much to do other than hang out at the local McDonald's. However, this is one trend I just can't get behind.

I understand we are at the age where we are starting to become adults in the real world. We need to start paying our own bills, making our own doctor appointments and doing our own grocery shopping. All that good stuff. I guess I just missed the part where this meant it was also time to buy our own house, move in with our boyfriends, and start having kids? While it is true that we are getting older, we are still so young. At the ages of 20 and 21, we should be worried about passing accounting and what parties we are going to this weekend, not what our wedding dress is going to look like.

We have our entire lives to be married, have kids, and have a career. We only have a limited window to be on our own and do all the fun things that make us happy, before we have to do the things that make our kids and our spouses happy as well.

Our early 20's are not a competition of who can grow up the fastest and act the most mature. It should be a time of fun and excitement where we let loose a little before we really do have to become real adults and put the college days behind us. I guess that mindset is not the same for everyone, but that is just one thing I won't understand.

I can't even wake up before 10:30 a.m. unless I have to. There is no way I could stay up all night with a crying baby, nor would I want to. I could never cook for a whole family, I just learned how to make grilled cheese last year. I could never live with a significant other, my clothes and shoes take up my entire room as it is. But this is how it should be, at least for a few more years.

Overall, I don't understand the rush to grow up and I will never agree with it. I understand that sometimes we are forced to grow up faster and it is not always by choice. Those that are choosing to race to the wedding dresses, however, are likely to go through a midlife crisis at age 30 if you ask me.

This is a confusing time in our lives no doubt. There are those starting families and buying houses and there are those that can't make it home from the fraternity down the road without throwing up in a bush. No matter what lifestyle you choose to lead at this age, it is not easy for anyone. Sometimes we all need to step back, take a deep breath, and just smile.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57452
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37017
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958755
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190950
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments