Okay, so it's not really an official phenomenon, but we've always heard old(er) folks say that people go through significant defining moments during their 20's, particularly the mid-20's.
It's most probably because number 1: the careers we take during this age could be the one we would likely end up with, making it crucial to whatever our future will be, and number 2: the people we share our lives with during this age would also be the ones who would stick. It's right between two critical events: after school and before marriage. It's the breeding ground for career and relationships.
Sometimes I find myself relieved whenever I see people in their early 30's living like teenagers - partying hard and working temporary jobs. They think young, they live young. And when you work in a contact center, you see them everywhere. You would think, what the hell were they doing 10 years ago? Haven't they had enough? And then you put it into perspective: are they being brave because they don't worry about not being able to settle down and move into a definite direction? Or are they stupid for not caring about what lies ahead?
Supposedly I'm doing my ego a big favor for convincing myself that I'm (still) in good shape. While most of my friends work their butts off to drop more gold into their "house fund", I amuse myself by jumping from company to company, abusing the benefits of our good 'ole health insurance by getting sick all the time, and umm, collecting gadgets that I won't be able to make my future children appreciate anyway. Stuff like that.
But I do worry about it, and that's what separates me from true-blue happy-go-lucky people. I don't wanna give up all the fun and liberty, but nobody wants to be high all the time. Sooner or later, the party would have to stop. And when the last booze is gone, everyone goes back to being a slave of the rehabilitation facility that is life.
Watching FRIENDS all the time somehow made me nurture that attitude of micro-worrying about my future. Those six people were always leaning towards achieving something, or even just being able to start something. (Well, maybe except Joey, who seemed to be pretty contented with being an actor). The series started out when they were in their mid-20's and gradually we saw them evolve in terms of their priorities and how they dealt with emotional and practical problems. And of course, they taught us the value of having people around you to keep you going, and all that sugar.
Worrying about it certainly won't change anything but at least it pokes my mind every now and then.
Back to blogging. Check my ANCIENT blog at http://peblobayani.tumblr.com 
