Читать книгу 20 Something Manifesto - Christine Hassler - Страница 26

For some, the twenty-something experience really is like Never-land — a place outside of time where you get the freedoms of adulthood without all of the adult responsibilities of mortgages, spouses, children, aging parents, and all the other things that make eternal childhood seem so appealing! Not every twenty something is having a crisis. Some are having the time of their lives, partying hard and living fast. I liken it to the “Peter Pan Syndrome,” which is not limited to guys. It’s a form of escapism, denial, and delayed adulthood, and it’s accomplished by a lot of play, feelings of invincibility, and self-obsession.

“I feel like I’m stuck between floors in an elevator, trapped in this limbo between being an adolescent and being an adult. I still want to have fun, but I’m supposed to be a ‘grown-up.’ I’ve graduated from college, I have a full-time job, and yet I still live at home. I feel like life is on warp speed sometimes, but then when I realize where I am at, I feel like I’m crawling along.”

Assistant editor, 24, serious relationship, Illinois

On the surface, the Peter Pan Syndrome sounds attractive, just the kind of fun twenty-something experience we are supposed to be having. But don’t get too green with envy — every Peter Pan eventually wakes up. In fact, underneath, these Peter Pans feel a twinge of fear and long for a sense of purpose. Living a fast-paced life while racking up debt is basically a way to avoid growing up and making choices by covering up the underlying questions about the lack of direction they feel. It’s important to have fun in your twenties, but if your kind of fun is irresponsible and distracts you from responsibilities or unresolved issues, just remember that eventually you are going to wake up. Balance your trips to never-never land with reality checks.

“CRUISE CONTROL” by Paul, 25