Quarter Life Crisis Averted

Let me paint you a word picture: 

You’re driving on a chilly, but rather sunny, fall day. The sun hits your face through the windshield, and it’s heat is magnified tenfold as it pierces the glass. At that moment, it feels as if it’s warming more than just your skin, it’s penetrating your soul, warming your whole body, your mood, your energy, everything. And while you’re left with squinty eyes, you’re also hit with an undeniable rush of endorphins. 

Well, that was twenty-five. 

It didn’t start that way, though. With confidence, I can say that the end of my 24th year, going into my 25th, was probably one of the worst times of my life, but I’m not here to tell you my sob story. While some things are worth dwelling on, that is not one of them. At least not right now. 

The past year of my life has taught me a lot, but mainly, it made me realize that shit’s not always so fucking bad – sometimes, though, you have to have a complete mental breakdown, buy a car, pack whatever you can into it, move across the country, and practically start all over in order to figure that out. 

But you know what, that’s better than not figuring it out. 

Twenty-five was a year of growth and change. Of love and loss. Of taking risks. Of cutting ties. Of taking chances and trusting my gut. Oh yeah, and lots and lots of delicious beer. 

Some look at a quarter of a life – assuming that they’ll live to 100 (which is highly unlikely for me, because as I mentioned… lots of beer), as a time to panic, or a time of crisis. While I get it, I just can’t get down with that. I’ve spent too much of my life in panic and crisis (where are my anxiety bbs at?!) and I’m feeling too good about things to let a quarter life milestone tarnish that vibe. But that was an active choice. I’ve learned that for me, pain, sadness, and this bullshit we call “crisis,” is all the result of settling into being comfortable while falling victim to your unfortunate circumstances. And I know this is a crazy concept, but you just don’t have to do that. It’s work, and the work is hard, and sometimes it feels like it hurts more than it helps, but making that change, that active switch in mindset to CHOOSE to take power over things that you do have control over that are making your life less than you want it, that’s powerful. 

Now, at the end of the decade, and the beginning of my 26th year, I’m taking a moment of reflection. I remember when I couldn’t see the point, but now I’m at a point where I’ve got it figured out, and I’m excited to see what’s next. 

For all of you telling me “now you’re closer to 30 than you are to 20!” 

All I can say is, thank fucking God. 

XOXO,

 Lexie 
BB