19 Inevitable, Awkward Dilemmas That Everyone In Their 20s Faces
The best of times, the worst of times.
1. When your friend makes more money than you and wants to go to brunch every weekend
You want nothing more than a mimosa (or three) to make your problems go away so you can properly ~chill out~ on a Saturday afternoon, but your paycheck goes to the tiny apartment you have to pay rent for and quality cat food.
2. When you go to said friend's apartment, it's like visiting a palace
You're blown away by how *adult* your friend's place looks, when you have random posters or tapestries you found at Goodwill hanging on your wall. She also has ~fancy~ bathroom soap, a framed map of all the places she's been, and a doorman. Time to start making more bank!
3. You'll find your high school friends are replaced by people you met in college, at work, the gym etc.
You know that Girl Scout song: "make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other's gold." Well, once you hit your 20s you don't have time to put up with BS drama from those high school peeps you pinky promised you'd be friends with forever, and you shouldn't feel bad about that. Sometimes friends simply just grow apart as you become an individual and are interested in different things. If your friendships aren't toxic, it's always a good to leave the door open though, because you never know when you might need to lean on them again.
4. No matter how many people you surround yourself with or how happy you are, there will be times you feel lonely. Very lonely. Luckily, you've mastered the art of pretending to be busy
Have no shame about this. We've all been there.
5. Running into people from your childhood and avoiding them like the plague
If you went away to college, you likely started experiencing this when you came back for breaks, but it only gets worse as time goes on and people become more judgmental. Just avoid eye contact and run. Or, you know, stop and chat if they were your friend/a tolerable human being. Up to you.
6. When your friend tells you about her kid and your greatest accomplishment is that you cooked dinner for yourself last night
Just because someone has a kid or is married doesn't mean they have their life all figured out. And if they do, good for them because it doesn't effect you at all. People grow and learn at all different ages in life, and you might have accomplished something in your life that they haven't been able to do yet. Bottom line is, people should only live by their own definition of success.
7. When you cancel on your friend who you haven't seen in months to go out with your regular weekend crew and accidentally post a selfie together on Instagram
We've all been guilty of canceling plans, but unfortunately, social media makes it easier for us to be caught in our lies. Just be wary of where and when you selfie.
8. When you're day drunk or high AF in public and you try to play it cool
One of the scariest feelings ever, and major props to those who are able to keep their chill.
9. When you're having a bad day and people tell you to smile
There is nothing more infuriating than being told to smile or look happy. UGH, NO! LET ME MISERABLE!
10. When the person you've been dating for a few months says they like you but you don't feel the same way
Sadly, attraction isn't always mutual. One person will be more invested in the other and then all sorts of feelings come into play, which brings me to...
11. Being forced to talk about feelings in general
Tell me how you feel or tell me what you're thinking right now are some of the scariest phrases ever, especially if you hate being forced into uncomfortable situations. But when you're dating someone, the only way you're going to know how they feel is to talk it out. Communication is key to a relationship, but if one person isn't as invested, you try and dance around the truth so you don't hurt their feelings.
12. When your best friend starts dating someone and you suddenly spend a lot less time together
Cheers to more frequent Netflix and wine nights.
13. People either think you're way older than you actually are, or still in high school
You're at the age where you could tell anyone you're 16 or 32 and they'd probably believe you.
14. You seriously question your partying habits
Did you really think you'd stop drinking and going out every weekend once you graduated college? Aw, that's cute. You know you should be cutting back on happy hours and brunches, but something inside of you tells you to fuck it and enjoy your 20s.
15. When you realize your body literally can't handle the after-effects of alcohol anymore and you get pounding, nasty hangovers
It makes you reconsider your partying habits (see #14) and you vow to be healthy for at least a few days. But then the weekend rolls around and the cycle starts all over again.
16. When you're forced to choose between the shoes you've been dying to have or sustaining yourself with nutrients, because your paycheck can't afford both
Decisions are so stressful. Here are other things you can relate to if you're broke but have expensive taste.
17. Asking your parents for money
We've all been there, and it makes us feel incredibly guilt-ridden every time. But how else will we afford our Amazon Prime subscription?
18. When you have to do adult things at work but still have no clue what you're actually doing in an office
Answering the phone, speaking in meetings, etc. are all things that you dreamed of doing one day, but it was way more glamorous in your mind (thanks to the moves). In fact, your job is the reason for your chronic neck and back pain because you're stressed all the damn time. You're also beyond belief someone actually hired you, the person who Google searches how to do everything.
18. When you realize you don't have summer breaks anymore
This is by far the hardest part of adulthood. I can't even elaborate on this because it makes me too sad that my summers are gone. RIP.
19. When you finally have that adult realization that ~time flies~
Your parents said it all the time when you were a kid: this year/month/day has gone fast. Now that you're an adult, you realize it really is true - time goes by way too fast when you're busy living your life and trying to become a functional adult. Just know that you're not alone.