Being 24 is weird. It’s weird in the way that makes it not feel real- if that makes any sense at all. There is a lot of chaos that comes with being 24, but also a ton of light and joy.
24 is the age where guidelines start to get more blurry.
It is 100% possible to be married, divorced, pregnant, already with children, still in college, thriving in your career, or completely lost like you’re still 17. You can’t rent a car yet, but you’re expected to be a functioning adult who is capable of making your own way in the world. You’re surrounded by people who are rocking it all, and those who are barely keeping their heads above water.
I believe that 24 is the time in your life where things either fall apart, or fall together depending on a few key points.
Looking at where I am in my life, some would say I’m on the right path and some would think I’m falling behind. When comparing my life at 24 to those I grew up with I fall right in the middle.
Childhood friends I’ve known my whole life have toddlers, are about to be first time parents, just got married, just got divorced, dropped out of college, are successful in their chosen careers, have left long term relationships, have decided they are better off single, and are still figuring out who they are.
As for me, I’m somewhere in between it all with nothing to stand out. I finished college, am on my second year of teaching, in a healthy relationship, know how much money is in my retirement, and somehow I think I’m not where I should be at 24.
I wish I could talk to 14 year old me and ask where I thought I would be in 10 years. Part of me might say “A famous author.” but the other part would say “The world is still turning in 2022?”
Barely kid, barely.
The thing about being 24 is the milestone of 25 creeping in ever so quickly. I often wish I’d been as successful as my friends in the things they have done and I know some of them would say the same about me.
Which is exactly why 24- and life as a whole- is so weird. It’s normal to be at a million different possible places by this time in life. Single, dating, married, divorced, jobless, in college, in a strong career, living at home, living 1,000 miles away from where you grew up, hopeful, hopeless, all of it makes sense and is possible.
I’m not at the wrong place, but I’m not necessarily in the right place. Because life is weird. 24 is weird. And however you choose to live your life, it’s all going to be okay- even if you’re 24 and lost.
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