03 Sep What’s Good About 24?
So today I turn 24.
The big two-four.
The exciting twenty-plus-four.
The life-changing-not-quite-twenty-five-but-almost-a-quarter-of-a-century-old, twenty-four.
24.
I’ve never been 24, but from what I can tell, it isn’t that great.
So, being the always-knowledge-seeking individual that I am, I wanted to do a bit of research on what I could expect to experience in this new stage of my life. I mean, at 13, I “became a woman” according to Jewish tradition, at 18 I was able to vote and buy lottery tickets, at 19 I was able to drink, and at 21, I was able to drink in the US. 22 was exciting for me because I moved to NYC for grad school at NYU, and 23 was exciting for me because it was my first time legitimately joining the workforce.
So what’s left?
Well, apparently, this:
…
Greaaaaat.
Now don’t get me wrong – this isn’t going to be another one of my “woe is me, my birthday sucks” type blog posts that I’ve had in the past. I mean, I’m still not a huge fan of my birthday, (mostly because of the timing), but this year, I’ve decided to look on the brighter side of things. After all, I’ve had a pretty great year as a 23 year-old; getting an awesome new job, buying my own home, finding an amazing boyfriend, and beating my Crohn’s (again!) – so I really can’t complain.
But what’s next?
Like… what is actually supposed to happen at 24? Do I get any tax breaks I can look forward to? Do I get special discounts at the grocery store? Will anyone respect me more as a 24 year-old? I’m pretty sure the answer is no.
So really, what do 24 year-olds get to look forward to?
Well, according to my Facebook newsfeed…. all of this:
Engagements
Weddings
Babies
(Ok, not entirely true… Some of them are so freakin’ cute.)
Home improvement shopping
Going to bed before 11pm
To be completely honest (as I always am), 24 is actually scaring me.
Do I want engagements and weddings and babies and home improvements and a full night’s rest? I mean, I guess I do? Eventually… but seeing this stuff happening all around me is almost surreal. I don’t feel even close to old enough for any of this to happen to my friends, let alone myself!
But it’s happening.
Everywhere.
And I just have to take it.
I have no idea what’s going to happen in my 24th year, and apparently, the possibilities are endless.
But for now, I do know one thing:
And I’m going to enjoy it.
John
Posted at 02:51h, 04 SeptemberDon’t you get a break on car rentals at 24? Or is that 26?
Either way…..cake?
Fingers
Posted at 20:02h, 05 SeptemberPersonally, I love my birthday. It;s the one holiday that’s all mine. It’s not like Thanksgiving or Christmas, it’s my day. I never work on my birthday and I always do something special just for me. Either a mani/pedi or shopping or a facial, something I wouldn’t normally do for myself. When I turned 40, I flew back to St Louis and hung out with friends I hadn’t seen in 10 years. Figured that’s a big one so I did something big. This year I turned 45 and had plans to go to the Harpsichord conference, since I love that. Bummer is: I ended up in the hospital for 2.5 weeks having my 10 bowel resection and got my staples out the day before my birthday, so I really couldn’t do anything for myself this year. It was really kind of sad and a let down. I keep telling myself I’m going to do a make up day but haven’t yet.
I know it’s a hard time of year for you-but try and embrace the day that is all yours and try to schedule something fun and out of the norm for what you’d normally do for yourself. Treat yourself-it’s worth it. Will put a smile on your face. I also listen to the song ‘Happy Birthday to Me” by Cracker throughout the day as well. My own happy birthday song.
Hope this helps! Sorry to ramble
Fingers
Posted at 20:03h, 05 SeptemberShould read 10th bowel resection