In the Era of Eras

I asked five 25-year-olds what era they're in... shocker, we're not all that different

Allow me the pleasure of providing you with some reading music (because I love to listen to music when I do absolutely anything). It's giving rooftop, beach party vibes.

You're welcome.

25. Arguably the age where you're starting to get your life together. But really, it's just a lot of beginnings. Like:

• Finding your passion

• Making a better salary (if you're not in school :))

• Molding your professional career

• Dare I say, finding your person??

• Doing absolutely whatever the f*ck you want, because your money is yours (unless you have kids)

So I asked 5 girlies, "What era are you in?" After all, what I've said all year is Quarter Life Crisis Era, but maybe I'd switch up to IT Girl era now...

I meannnnn, writing on cake is basically as legit as it gets.

For me, my quarter life crisis meant quitting my job 2 weeks before my 25th birthday, on the DAY I picked up the keys to move into a new condo with my boyfriend. We moved in the next day, then I started a new job 2 days before my birthday. Let's just say February was eventful.

Now the era has been the story of me figuring it all out, while squeezing in the things I love: traveling, foodie experiences, working out, and of course, writing ;) I guess you could say those are all my 'coping mechanisms,' what I do to chase moments of joy amidst the daily grind.

How do other people self identify?

"Lover Girl, WFH Era" - an HR professional working at a European company (yes, she gets to travel to the headquarters)

Coping mechanism: spending time with her partner + friends, home decor queen

"Housewife Era" - someone living at home with a job she doesn't love, but recently accepted her dream job in fashion and is about to move to Seattle

Coping mechanism: shopping, traveling

"No Sleep Era" - a PA student with a love of cats living in Boston

Coping mechanism: buying cats...I know, but she has 5

"Boss Babe Era" - a supervising RN who recently discovered a love for running

Coping mechanism: working out (running, gym sessions, hot yoga)

"Self Love Era" - a teacher, newly back to school

Coping mechanism: going to the gym after work 5x a week with a personal trainer

Which era do you identify best with?

• WFH Era
• Housewife Era
• No Sleep Student Era
• Boss Babe Era

See All Options

No matter who you are or what you do, most people are of the mindset that you're going to absolutely GRIND in your twenties. However, there's also a bigger priority than ever before on mental health and self care. Hard work yes, but to a certain point.

Everyone has to find their escape too. Whether that's running, writing, hell, even online shopping - everyone needs their release from the grind. As a former D1 athlete I used to write about this experience a lot, and I found that the extreme expectations required from my during college made me a little jaded post grad. I had worked SO hard for 4 years, that afterwards it felt like I almost already paid my dues.

To no surprise, once I jumped into my first professional job and it expected 60 hour work weeks, late nights, weekends, it didn't take long before I was truly burnt out from working. And at the age of 22.

Three years later, I have finally found a job that lets me have a better balance, all the things, if you will. I get to WFH, I can set boundaries (like blocking my calendar for spin on Monday's and Wednesday's), and I'm truly trusted to do my job (even though some days I'm like a chicken running around with my head cut off :)).

So the burning question, what's your era? In a world where you can choose your own path, filled with many era, you get to decide what you're going to do about it.

How do you get what you believe is meant for you, while you live the inevitable, essential grind that is your twenties?

Well, if I could answer that I wouldn't have written the question. Looks like we both have to figure that one out.

Until next time,

xx

Izzy