It's been an interesting past few weeks. It's been a few weeks of really thinking about the space between childhood and adulthood. When does it happen? When does childhood suddenly turn into responsibility?
Is it the day you graduate from college? Your first job? When you get married? Or do we ever really grow up?
When do you go from sorority functions to employee happy hours?
What changes to make you wish for spring break, to make you wish for a break at all?
When is the point that "the real world" becomes more than a Matchbox 20 song?
How many threads lie between a power suit, and a toga?
It's been an interesting feeling, when I'm thrown into a world of professionalism, deadlines, e-mail traffic and responsbility. There is no manual to show you how to transition from the college/young adult life, to the real life. I feel like that is a gap missing in literature, poetry, music and education. How do you truly prepare for the pressures that come from the responsibilities of adulthood, and the unfulfilled expectations of childhood?
I feel that there is this huge void between these two power points in your life. And this is the time when a lot of young professionals fall through the cracks. Do you climb up the rope life hands you, or do you hang yourself with it?
I've seen a lot of people my age avoid this transition at all costs. Whether it be more school, non "real" jobs, or whatever it means, I've seen it avoided like the plague. And I can see why - it's tough being counted on by co-workers double your age, double your experience and double your pressure. I'm finding it really difficult to meet these lofty, adult expectations, yet still be drawn (and surrounded by) the lure of college life once more.
Maybe it's cured by moving out of a college town? Maybe it's that easy? Or maybe we live in culture where we're surrounded by the mantra of "avoid the mainstream," at all costs? "Riding your bike mid-day past the three-piece suits," type of anthem. Or maybe I underestimate myself. I know I can meet those expectations of the co-workers, yet find the fun in life and never lose that innocence.
If anyone has any insight into this, please share. It could come in handy for a lot more people, who I know, feel the same way.
Revolution!
