A few days away from reaching that mythical age where one is supposedly expected to have achieved "true adulthood," intriguing questions arise, such as: Should life have a solid plan? According to social norms, by now we should have moved past reckless Saturday nights and “existential hangovers,” which are supposed to be relics of the past. Yet, there it remains: that Sunday night uncertainty before the routine Monday morning, reminding us of the famous “success at thirty-five” checklist—a concept that feels more like a meme than an achievable reality.
If it's Friday night, 11 pm, and you're already setting your alarm for 8 am on Saturday to make the most of your day, this reflection is for you.
Between the Ideal and the Inevitable
The irony is unavoidable: we grew up chasing the ideal of becoming "the best version of ourselves," only to find adulthood wrapped in a whirlwind of rushed schedules, misaligned timing, and constant anxiety that we manage with varying degrees of honesty. Add to that unpredictable crises, erratic financial triumphs, and, why not, the looming shadow of a climate apocalypse amidst fears of artificial intelligence and a zombie-like, disaster-stricken world.
In this new technological era, where it seems more profitable to stop working with emotionally dysfunctional humans, the question arises: Could a robot ever explain, show, and sell me the magic of drowning my sorrows in a shot of tequila served with empathy and humor?
Anxiety as a Constant Companion
It seems like our generation, caught between grand dreams and the fear of disaster, has entered into a stable relationship—not with romance, but with anxiety and procrastination. Is this living in the moment or merely surviving under the weight of exaggerated expectations and absurd comparisons between individual and collective concepts of success after our twenties?
An Uncomfortable Truth
We’ve become incessant complainers, often without discernment, fed by a diet of videos offering instant entertainment and pre-packaged answers. Reading and writing independently seem increasingly outdated. Long texts get ignored, and meaningful conversations seem like luxuries, overridden by algorithms dictating what to think and feel.
This isn’t meant to undermine content creators delivering quality material. But is visual education truly effective when there are thousands of kinesthetic learners who thrive through hands-on experience, active listening, and reflective writing? Perhaps we’re prioritizing an educational approach that doesn't always connect with every learning style.
From Chaos to Introspection
And yet, amidst the chaos of over-information and overstimulation, there are small triumphs. At this age, we begin to value peace with our bodies and minds more than external validation. For some, success is as simple as paying rent and having a little savings left, while for others, it's luxury cars or global adventures. Or maybe, it’s not being confined to a hospital bed.
Is it laziness to want stability through gradual, meaningful progress? Whether it's sticking to a gym routine for six months or breaking a bad habit, the real focus often shifts to finding moments of wonder and simplicity amidst the clutter.
Lessons from Our Twenties
We grew up believing in big dreams alongside grim warnings of how "real life" would be a never-ending chain of anxiety and regret. As Natalia Lafourcade sings in En el 2000: “My sister is going to give birth to a child from a fiery and depressed relationship, from a guy who left her.” Many of us avoided the cliché of unplanned teen pregnancies, only to stumble into disposable relationships or, worse, those marked by emotional scars labeled as "abuse." Yet, even a broken heart in your thirties has its silver lining: a more introspective, resilient singlehood, often accompanied by a healthier bank account.
And maybe, just maybe, that meddling aunt will stop asking, "When are you going to settle down?" when she sees that your stories revolve not around a partner, but the things that truly get you out of bed on a Sunday morning.
Redefining Success
At the end of the day, this stage of life often feels like a battle between living in the moment and enduring an existence burdened with information, comparisons, and the futile attempt to fit into the adult mold of constant sacrifice. Pursuing what’s “socially acceptable” now feels as absurd as the memes mocking the dissonance between dreams and reality.
So, What’s Left?
Perhaps it’s embracing this disjointed solitude, sprawled on the couch with your pet or loved ones after a long day. Therapy attended, comfort food in hand, your favorite song playing on repeat. Maybe, amidst all the unmet expectations, that moment of calm and honest connection is the only thing that really makes sense.
Damn, what a joy it is to be in your thirties.
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