At age 20: Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard and cofounded Microsoft, and Sir Isaac Newton began developing a new branch of mathematics.
At age 21: Thomas Alva Edison created his first invention, an electric vote recorder, Steve Jobs co-founded Apple Inc., and Alfred Tennyson published his first poetry.
At age 22: Inventor Samuel Colt patented the Colt six-shooter revolver, and Cyrus Hall McCormick invented the McCormick reaper, which allowed one man to do the work of five
At age 23: T. S. Eliot wrote “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” John Keats penned “Ode on a Grecian Urn,” and Truman Capote published his first novel, Other Voices, Other Rooms.
At age 24: Johannes Kepler defended the Copernican theory and described the structure of the solar system.
At age 25: Orson Welles conscripted, directed, and starred in Citizen Kane, Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly alone across the Atlantic, New York farmhand Joseph Smith founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, John Wesley began planting the seeds for Methodism at Oxford, and Alexander the Great became the King of Persia.
At age 26: Albert Einstein published five major research papers in a German physics journal, fundamentally changing man’s view of the universe and leading to such inventions as television and the atomic bomb, Benjamin Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, and Napoleon Bonaparte conquered Italy.
An impressive list of accomplishments to be sure. And despite how many might interpret this kind of “precociousness,” I would argue that these men accomplished what they did not despite their age, but because of it.
A Disposable Decade?
Maybe you’ve heard it said, or even said it yourself: “Thirty is the new twenty.”
Things that were once markers of maturity in the past — finishing school, landing your first “real” job, getting hitched, having kids, buying a house – are getting pushed back later in life. Instead of hitting these milestones in one’s early or mid-twenties, as our parents and grandparents did, economic, sociological, and cultural factors have postponed these steps for many until the latter part of the decade, and into one’s thirties.
This has opened up an unprecedented period of time and development for young adults. The twenties have been relabeled “emerging adulthood” or “extended adolescence,” and because of its nascent nature, there aren’t a lot of guideposts on how a man should spend this new stage of life.
In the absence of such guidance, the twenties have come to be seen as a time to dabble, drift, and adventure, with the idea that you can get serious about stuff later — once you hit thirty. Thus, the twenties have been branded as disposable — an inconsequential holding period between two decades of schooling and becoming a “real” adult.
But the idea that one’s twenties are unimportant couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, “thirty is the new twenty” is one of the biggest lies of our age.
In this two-part series, we’ll explain why.
This Is Your Brain in Your Twenties
The prevailing view these days is that people used to get started in life earlier simply because the economy allowed it, or that “the Man” shamed people into quickly becoming a grown-up instead of spending time being free, having fun, and exploring, and, since these factors are no longer in effect, there aren’t any good reasons for making important and consequential decisions and commitments in your twenties anymore.
While that explanation of why milestones have been delayed has truth to it, there does in fact remain very compelling reasons for beginning to shape life’s most important elements while still in your twenties – and they don’t have anything to do with culture or economics. Rather, they’re biological, and thus timeless — they apply just as much to the 1950s as to today. Now we could delve into one aspect of biology as it concerns delayed adulthood – that of reproduction – as it isn’t just affected by age for the ladies; aging male sperm is thought to be responsible for mutations that lead to things like autism and schizophrenia. But we’ll cover that important topic another time.
Today I want to center our discussion on something that transcends fatherhood, and affects all the big life decisions you’ll make – particularly as it concerns things like career and relationships, even faith. And that’s the twentysomething brain.
The human brain develops from bottom to top and from back to front. At the bottom-center sits the limbic system, in which resides some of the more primitive parts of our brain, areas that are responsible for things like sleep, hunger, emotions, sex, and pleasure.
Located at the front of the brain is the prefrontal cortex. Last to develop, it is often referred to as the “CEO” of the brain – the executive of the mind. It helps you do things like process probability, regulate emotions and impulses, delay gratification, handle uncertainty and abstract goals, plan for the future, and make good decisions and judgments.
During adolescence, both parts of the brain swing into action and interact as they move you towards adulthood. The limbic system revs up your feelings of emotion, motivation, and the craving for reward, causing your teenage self to feel restless and increasing your desire to do big things, take risks, experience everything, forge friendships, and become independent from your parents. At the same time, your prefrontal cortex begins its final maturation and starts to act as a check to these new surging impulses, attempting to keep you from doing anything too stupid. (The New York Times has a neat interactive webpage showing your brain maturation from childhood to young adulthood.)
This is why young adults often seem capable of great maturity at some times, and then do bone-headed things at other times – the impulsive and CEO parts of their brains are having a tug-of-war, and sometimes one wins, and sometimes the other does. For this reason, your personality is kind of uneven during this period.
In your early twenties, your prefrontal cortex is almost finished maturing, but not quite.
It used to be thought that the prefrontal cortex finished developing during the teen years, but we now know that its maturation isn’t complete until around age 25. What this means is that from approximately ages 15-25, you’re walking around and experiencing the world with an “adolescent” brain. This is why almost all of us can look back at episodes not only from high school, but also from college, that make us shake our heads and ask: “What was I thinking?!”
Now, you might gather from all this that it’s best to wait until your thirties to make big decisions after all — until your prefrontal cortex is fully formed and mature. But this isn’t the case, for as one neurobiologist put it, your twenties are not simply a time of “enormous risk,” but also one of “enormous opportunity.”
What are those enormous opportunities that your twentysomething brain offers you? There are two big ones – and they only come around once in a lifetime. First is the opportunity to passionately and uninhibitedly go after big goals, figure out life’s big questions, and make important commitments. Second, is the opportunity to take an active role in the development of the executive part of your brain in order to create a foundation for lasting success. (These brain advantages apply to teenagers too, obviously, but twentysomethings have a lot more leeway to make their own decisions and thus exercise their brains’ special powers. They’re at the crossroads of opportunity and independence.)
In today’s post we’ll be focusing on the first advantage of the twentysomething brain; tomorrow, we’ll delve into advantage numero dos.
Twentysomething Brain Advantage #1: The passionate, uninhibited motivation to fearlessly go after your passions, figure out life’s big questions, and make important commitments.
It may seem like a cruel twist of nature that at the same time you are feeling motivated to take risks and seek rewards, are experiencing a surge in emotion, and are beginning to grapple with the complexities of adulthood and make decisions that will influence your whole future, the executive part of your brain isn’t up to speed yet — as if you’re driving a car with faulty brakes. And indeed, that’s how researchers long saw it – that the adolescent brain was “broken” – recklessly and pointlessly impulsive.
But more recent research has shown that the same qualities of the adolescent brain that can be liabilities, can also be distinct advantages – not accidents of nature at all, but purposeful evolutionary adaptions. That purpose is to get a young adult to venture from home, strike out on his own, explore new turf, and take chances in the search for success. Those able to successfully harness the unique energies of youth have, from time immemorial, gained an edge over their peers. As neuroscientist B.J. Casey put it, the “unbalanced” nature of the adolescent brain is “exactly what you’d need to do the things you have to do then.”
What kind of powers does the adolescent brain give you that you need as you venture into adulthood? There are three:
- Fervent passion
- Fearlessness in the face of risk
- A keen and thoughtful curiosity about people and the world
Deep Passion
As we’ve discussed, during adolescence the limbic system of the brain starts amping up your feelings of emotion and motivation, while at the same time the prefontal cortex begins to develop its capacity to check the impulses the former generates. And again, the frontal lobes complete their maturation around the mid-twenties. Before that time, the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, reacts more strongly to stimuli than it does in adults. While the frontal cortex generates a “thinking” response, the amygdala produces a more emotional, gut-oriented reaction.
Neurobiologists aren’t sure of the exact relationship between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex in the adolescent brain (and remember, this is the brain from ages approx. 15-25), beyond the fact that the latter becomes more strongly activated as it matures and begins to act as a greater and greater check to the former.
But I like to imagine the set-up in this (totally unscientific) analogy: The prefrontal cortex is like a sieve. In the adolescent brain the holes in the sieve are large, so that stimuli from the outside world mostly goes right through, and lights up the amygdala, creating an emotional, gut reaction. As the frontal cortex matures and strengthens, the holes become increasingly small – the net catches and analyzes more and more of the stimuli before it hits the amygdala, giving the brain the chance to come up with a rational, measured response. Indeed, the prefrontal cortex is also known as the “area of sober second thought,” as it is the part of the brain that weighs the consequences of a choice.
This is why in your teen years, up through your early twenties, you experience things really intensely – relationships are intense, spiritual experiences are intense, emotional highs are high and lows are low. New experiences feel amazing; thrills give you more of a rush. Stimuli from the world goes directly into the brain instead of being caught in the cortex sieve and dryly analyzed first. Experiences are able to light up your emotional amygdala, allowing you to feel things deeply. Here you have the neurological reason behind the famously fervent passion of youth.
The intensity of the adolescent brain can make our teenage years and early twenties feel overly dramatic. But this passion also allows twentysomethings to feel strongly about issues, causes, people, and spirituality. It can drive you to start movements, take action, and make commitments – steps which are then facilitated by the next twentysomething brain power.
Fearlessness in the Face of Risk
In addition to the intensity and emotion the amygdala brings to the equation, the reward centers of the brain are also highly sensitive during this time. This drives you to take more chances.
Contrary to popular belief, adolescents actually overestimate some risks – those of the “known variety,” like the risk of getting pregnant or getting an STD. But they underestimate “unknown” risks – anything where the likelihood of winning and losing is ambiguous.
Adults will often shut down the idea of such risks as soon as they cross their minds, but an adolescent will take time to really consider them.
Obviously, this penchant for risk-taking can have a down-side — there’s a reason the mortality rate for adolescents is triple that of grade-school children. But, fearlessness in the face of risk can also be absolutely necessary in getting you to go after your dreams and ideals.
Making any big decision or commitment involves risk – will my business fail, is she the one, will I be happy a thousand miles from home? And risk kicks the prefrontal cortex into high gear – “What if this happens? What about x,y,z?” Obviously, rational analysis is a great thing, but there are some things in life where you just have to push down your fear and take the plunge. The twentysomething brain gives you the fearlessness to do so. But as the prefrontal cortex gathers strength, it starts to talk you out of doing anything risky and is more inclined to maintain the status quo. Paralysis by analysis sinks in.
A Keen and Thoughtful Curiosity About People and the World
Now you may be thinking, “Sure, twentysomethings have the passion and the courage to make big decisions, but they’ll probably make the wrong ones, because they’re naive and impulsive! Better to wait until you’re older.” And it’s true that researchers have found that sometimes the reward-seeking adolescent brain does make more reckless decisions, like choosing to engage in binge drinking or unsafe sex. But that’s typically because of social pressure (the young adult brain is also more sensitive to the judgment of their peers). Researchers have actually found that in other, less peer-driven and “heated” situations, when a reward is at stake, a young adult desires to get something right, and will actually take longer to decide, and gather more information before doing so, than adults. Which means, researchers say, that there are scenarios where adolescents will potentially make better decisions than “grownups.”
The sensitive reward centers of the adolescent brain not only motivate the process of gathering and pondering information, they also facilitate the learning of new information, which is why adolescents (when it comes to a subject they enjoy, anyway) can find studying more pleasurable and satisfying than adults.
All this makes sense: who spends more time willingly examining questions like what’s the true religion and what’s the best political philosophy – college students or their parents? The latter often cannot be bothered, while the former can’t get enough of delving into life’s big questions. Because of the sensitive reward system of the adolescent brain, things that feel like drudgery to “grownups,” like seeking truth, are deeply rewarding to young adults.
Taking Advantage of the Tripartite Powers of the Twentysomething Brain
I like to think of things like starting your own business, landing your dream job, getting married, committing to a faith, and even catalyzing a cultural or political movement, as akin to traveling to space. Once your rocket leaves the earth’s atmosphere, it can orbit there indefinitely. But to reach outer space in the first place, you need a huge, powerful force in the form of rocket thrusters in order to overcome the earth’s strong gravitational pull.
Well, your twentysomething brain is that rocket thruster.
Twentysomethings are less daunted by unknown risks, and become more motivated and thoughtful by the prospect of reward, while adults are the opposite. During your twenties, you’re passionate and ready to learn, and your greater tolerance for risk pushes you to act on that passion and knowledge.
Unfortunately, your brain’s rocket’s fuel is leaking out as you approach thirty. The time for lift off is now.
Why Your Parents Are Such Squares
Now you finally have an explanation to an observation you probably made growing up: “Man, my parents are so boring. They don’t seem to ponder deep things or be that passionate about anything. They always stick to their routine and are still listening to the same music they did in college! I’ll never end up like that.” You probably thought their steady lameness was a function of their actively deciding to “settle,” or the result of the way their responsibilities had worn them down. These things are certainly factors in Adult Boring Disorder (ABD). But it’s also because of changes in their brains, changes that will happen to you, too.
Most adults are so “boring” and risk-averse and don’t experience life as intensely because the sensitivity of the reward centers in their brains have dulled and their mature prefrontal corti have put the lid on their emotional passions. Your parents’ musical tastes ended in college (at least this is my personal theory on the matter) because music doesn’t produce the same intense, penetrating emotional reaction that it did in their adolescence (“You gotta hear this song!”) so it doesn’t hold their interest as much.
Now it seems to me the frontal cortex/limbic system balance varies from individual to individual – artists and other sensitive types seem to maintain a little more of the emotional intensity of youth, and of course some devoted listeners do stay passionate about music their whole lives through. Plenty of people strive to maintain their curiosity and sense of adventure throughout their lifetime as well — so don’t get me wrong — you’re definitely not destined to become a totally lame-o adult. But after the prefrontal cortex finishes maturing, everybody mellows out, to one degree or the other.
In some ways, this mellowing of one’s intensity seems like a real loss. People have often wondered why so many talented musicians have died from suicide or drug overdose at age 27 (the so-called Forever 27 Club). Musicians often produce some of their best songs early in their career – songs they wrote in their youth that were fueled by the emotional intensity of their adolescent brain. Twenty-seven is right around the time the frontal cortex would finish maturing. Is it possible the drop off in the intensity that once fueled their creativity and the emotion of their songwriting creates a deep despondency in artists? Maybe. Just a personal theory of mine.
But here’s the good news – not only will the completion of your brain development not make the vast majority of us suicidal, you’ll in fact experience it as a good feeling and positive change! You can actually feel it happening. There will be a time around your mid-twenties when you notice a change in yourself. You start to notice that you feel more stable, more steady, more secure. You’ll think about the drama in your life just a few years prior and wonder what you were thinking – you will feel like you’ve changed a lot since then and would now handle things much differently than you did then. When you feel this, you’ll know your prefrontal cortex has finished maturing.
The pre- and post-stages of the limbic-to-prefrontal-cortex shift in power are neither bad nor good; each has powers suited to a different stage in life. In your twenties, when you’re making big, important moves and decisions, you need emotion and intensity to spur you to study and ponder life’s big questions, and the strong motivation to take risks, venture out, and make commitments. Then, in your thirties and beyond, you need confident steadiness to overcome your counterproductive impulses and mood swings, and to build the things you launched in your twenties – to grow your business, expand your movement, head a family.
The trick is simply to take advantage of each power in the season it is given: The twenties are for launching, while the thirties are for building what you launched.
Conclusion
Today’s post highlighted some of the unique powers of the twentysomething brain — namely its propensity for deep passion, fearlessness in the face of risk, and a keen curiosity about others and the world. But what kinds of things should you channel these powers towards? Tomorrow we’ll discuss the second once-in-a-lifetime opportunity offered by the twentysomething brain — the chance to train the “builder” to whom you will be handing over the reins once the launch of your “start-up” is complete.
Read Part II: Train Your Brain for Lasting Success
_________________________
Sources:
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now –one of the best books I read last year. Highly recommended for any twentysomething.
Why the Teen Brain is Drawn to Risk
The Half-Baked Teen Brain: A Hazard or a Virtue?
Beautiful Brains
Adolescents’ Risk-Taking Behavior Is Driven by Tolerance to Ambiguity
Teenage Brains Are Malleable And Vulnerable, Researchers Say
The twentysomething accomplishments in the intro were taken from the ”What Other People Accomplished When They Were Your Age” generator.
Related Posts
-
Don’t Waste Your Twenties — Part 2: Train Your Brain for Lasting Success
-
Manvotional: To Risk
-
Unlocking the Science of Habits: How to Hack the Habit Loop & Become the Man You Want to Be
-
Heading Out on Your Own — Day 1: Develop a Self-Reliant Mentality
-
Share:
-
- Tweet
-
Email Story to a Friend
-
-
Print
{ 92 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for another interesting article Brett and Kate. I was actually having a “What am I doing with my Life?” moment when I decided to come here. Thanks for the swift kick in the rear.
YES. Oh great article again Brett and Kate. I’ve actually been hearing a lot of “why are you in a rush” from people, my parents even! But I get the feeling that if I have the chance and time to go after my dreams then now is the time to do it. I can’t wait for the next article. Thank you for writing this!
Another excellent post, Brett. Looking forward to Part II.
As a 21 year old senior in college, I can totally relate to this article. Although my generation has been given a great opportunity to explore and create, I find that many of my peers squander their “grace period” by spending their time watching TV and blowing their parents’ money at bars. I’ve always felt that your 20′s is your time to change the world, and the research mentioned in this article suggests that this hunch was correct.
Good stuff.
Some time ago I read a similar article, which prompted me to start taking more action in my intellectual life.
I’m only 19, but I try and read 2 -3 books a week, write everyday, and learn a new skill every month.
Nuts, I turned 26 a few months ago.
as a 20 year old this is very interesting, do you think that one not feeling some of this (emotionally not getting as involved in things/ a passion for what one’s doing) as a sign of something wrong?
I’m one of those 20 somethings with not enough money for school, no health insurance, car or job and trying to scramble to pull things together before I’m 40. I read AoM for inspiration..thanks for the awesome posts.
hope I haven’t stumbled across this too late.
Hi! Another great writing; AoM is in the top 5 of my websites list!
It’s critical information all of this, because for many time the 20′s have been misrepresented or undervalued; but when you do the math(as you did) some of the greatest achievements, risky moves, life-changing decisions are taken in that era. Now I’ll be 29 in may, and while I was reading this, I started to remember some very “risky” decisions I took when I was 19: switching universities(when my dad told me in my face it was a very “stupid idea” back then), defining my spiritual beliefs, decided to not date anyone for a while, landed my first job, and some others. Sometimes you do it unconsciously, and in some others you just waste time.
It’s great to understand that the 20′s really have more value than what society has taught so far. Let’s tell your young fellas that they can truly conquer the world as they keep dreaming every now and then.
Again, great article.
Brett & Kay—I have been a reader of AoM for close to a year now, and I enjoy your posts; they are often inspiring, and force me to think deeply about various issues in my life. This post is no exception.
I find it interesting that you highlight the workings of the twenty-something brain in such concrete, stereotypical terms. The twenties, you assert, are for ‘launching’. This implies that all great things will be launched in the twenties (so that they can be ‘built’ in the thirties), and ignores the many (perhaps even greater by volume) contributions of those who did not launch anything of note until well into their 40’s and beyond.
Ordinarily such a sweeping generalization would hardly catch my attention, but in a world where youth is increasingly held in esteem (ageism is something that most people do not even consider when, for instance, denigrating elders as ‘stodgy’, ‘inflexible’, and ‘risk-averse’) I find a subtle irony in the number of articles, here and elsewhere, taking the position that twenty-something adults have somehow been cast to the fringe of society, their contributions and potential all but ignored. I have found the exact opposite to be the case. Never have we lived in a society that rolls out the proverbial red carpet for youth the way ours does today; CEOs, venture capitalists and mid-level managers praise and envy youth, some going as far as to declare a “peak age” of 25 for entrepreneurship (google it).
A brief moment of introspection should sound alarms as to why this is a bad thing, vis a vis a life expectancy in excess of 80 years. Telling the majority of men (and women, for that matter) that their dreams are on the decline and their advantages lost at the tender age of 25 is a huge problem, and recognizing that certainly does not make one anti-youth. Articles like the one to which I am appending this comment further the myth: if you have not ‘launched’ by your late twenties, you did something wrong. You missed out. You are your stodgy parents now, unable to appreciate music or take big risks. Never mind the volumes of evidence, anecdotal and otherwise, that do not support this; the zeitgeist has chosen their narrative, and it is louder than ever. Why bother launching in your thirties, your forties, your fifties—even your sixties? Better to just settle and try to enjoy whatever station life has assigned you, right?
A couple short decades ago, not more than 20 years, the prevailing point of view was that the brain was fully formed and inflexible by one’s teen years. That view has been rapidly and completely overthrown and replaced by the concept of neuroplasticity. It is hard to overstate the radical nature of this shift in thinking. I predict the same will happen with regards to aging. Currently we are fascinated by youth, by what we perceive as carefree recklessness, romance, passion, and energy. I predict that in the years to come much of what we think we know will be proven wrong: culture and habit will be identified as prime culprits for many of the things we attribute to genetics and biology today, and older-than-twenty human beings will be cast in a new light, fully capable of smart risk-taking, high ambition, and boundless energy—IF they work at it, for any skill not practiced is dulled.
Should we not try to push every man beyond what he thinks his limits are, rather than inventing the hideous thing that is the ‘average’ and attempting to impose it as some sort of limitation? What many people do not grasp about scientific studies is that the result—usually based on average differences seen across a significant sample size—is useful in aggregate but useless to the individual. Let’s say a twenty year-old runs, on average, one minute per mile faster than an average thirty year old. In aggregate, we can say that twenty year-olds are faster than thirty year-olds; but for any individual twenty year old and any individual thirty year old, the one-minute average difference is practically meaningless. Some thirty year-olds are exceptionally quick in the mile, and some twenty-somethings exceptionally slow. While we might predict the twenty-somethings will win on the whole across a large number of races, any individual race will be much harder to predict. So it is with creativity, energy, music, and all other manner of ‘youthful’ pursuits. No aged person should fear that hideous monster ‘average’; rather, work to make yourself the outlier, because as an individual the average means nothing to you.
Your article is well-written and contains good insights, but beware the generalized labeling of ‘your twenties are for launch, your thirties are for building’. Some of the greatest men on earth will launch in their forties and build in their fifties, and perhaps even beyond. Perhaps a better approach would have been to acknowledge that men must go through a period (or, perhaps, periods) of launching, creating new things in whatever venue and at whatever age, followed by a period of building consistently upon those things in order to make the great–independent of their age.
This article pressed me to look back on the past 5 years of my life and directly relate to each principles presented here:
@ 18: Vandalizing our rivals’ football field during my Senior Homecoming before I played the “big game” (not smart, but I am still slightly proud)
@19: Moving away to college by myself; the willingness to “experiment”
@20: The deep intensity of the relationships I cultivated with women; loyalty to my brothers (friends)
@21: A fierce desire to contemplate new ideas and experience new things at university
@22: Dropping everything, and moving away from school, home, my parents (they very much protested) to chase a “dream” on a whim.
@23: Moving home, looking back and beginning to think, “what WERE you thinking?!” and starting to get serious about life.
Good stuff Brett, Kate.
I know this seems a bit extreme, but I’m going to play devils advocate. Should those of use who are in our 30′s just hang it up? Its a serious question.
@Achaean-
A fine counterargument, sir. But I will simply say that I am not arguing that one cannot launch things after their twenties, simply that one’s twenties are the ideal time to do so. I certainly believe people can do great things at any age, and yes, there is plenty of evidence to support that. I’m simply advocating for striking when the iron is hot and not wasting this vital decade of life. I truly do believe there are special qualities to the twentysomething brain that should be taken full advantage of. I think most people who have passed through their twenties have felt them too. You are right that our culture overly worships youth these days as the end all, be all of life, but we do so in a way that celebrates this period as one in which to just hang, as opposed to do great things (see: pretty much every movie and tv show in popular culture). That false impression is the one I am attempting to provide a counter to.
PS: My wife’s name is “Kate,” not “Kay.”
@Dale-
So no, I would absolutely not say that folks post thirties should just hang it up and settle. I think it’s easiest to make big moves in one’s twenties, but it’s not impossible when you’re older. More difficult — but still open to the disciplined and dedicated.
I turned 19 today and feel like I can accomplish a lot. The brain is continuously learning effectively up until the age of 27 which is why it is important to keep educating yourself tirelessly until that point. After that it gets harder to feed the brain information but it becomes more efficient in connecting things together.
Great article! Like so many AoM articles, it seems very timely to my life at this moment. I turned 25 in December and have since reluctantly quite grad school to pursue full-time employment and “launch” my career as described in the article. I struggle with twenty-something brain though as it pulls my passion in many directions. Thanks for helping me understand where all these impulses come from and what I can expect in the next few years!
I have just gotten that feeling that something’s changed this morning.
This article is the story of my life!! Thanks for writing an excellent piece.
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Absolutely incredible how you two time these articles. I was just thinking about this topic the other day in a way. I’m 19 and in college. My roommate and I both have very clear goals in mind for what we want to do with our lives. He’s into mining, I’m into the railroads. Then I see all these other kids at school just to be at school, not really sure what they’re chasing after. I’m very fortunate I have a goal in mind, and to tell you the truth, it’s damn relieving.
Kind of wish this site was around when I was younger…how things might have been different (having just turned 30). Still, no matter. Now is when I have, so now is when I’ll work from.
Great article, and timely! As a 22 year old I’m often looking for risk and the opportunity to learn life long lessons through them.
everything fresh is present in the 20-something brain …. except wisdom
Hi Brett, and Kate,
Another awesome article, and one that really, really strikes a chord with me. I’m only 16, but I have so many conflicting feelings between (apparently) my pre-frontal cortex and amygdala. I feel both like I could do awesome, incredible things, but then that those ideas are stupid and I don’t have the (money, space, talent…Which is true) to accomplish them. I’m also constantly arguing with myself whether what my friends do is fun, or stupid. I’ve always been like this, so hooray for me.
Well, really an awesome article (of course) and I can’t wait for part deux.
Good (VERY early) morning from Canada!
As a “twentysomething” myself, I found this article extremely relevant, for obvious reasons and ones a little less so. Looking back on it, I’m glad to have applied for the jobs I did, lived in the many places I’ve already lived, and done the things I’ve done, and I have nobody to thank but my own willingness to get out there and do it (along with some well-timed support of friends and family). Sometimes it seems like a never ending apartment carousel, but the experience and lessons learned make it all worth it and then some. I’ll definitely be looking for Part Two of this article!
The first two articles I read this morning were this one, which is excellent, motivating, but also – when you’re 25 and trying to hustle your way to something, but probably knowing you could do more – slightly depressing. All these geniuses who accomplished everything so young, and there’s that silly part of your head that keeps persuading me that I’m not good enough, I’m not like them, because going from nothing, going from nothing to having success is so hard to pin down, especially if, like me, success is not really monetary based. It’s harder to quantify, but you have to keep fighting.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21302065
This is an article today on the BBC over here in the UK, that’s suggesting 20 somethings in this country are worse off than 50 years ago, and though it makes depressing reading, both articles are telling me this:
It all comes down to the same thing…if the odds are stacked against you, you have to fight harder, you have to go bigger, be smarter, be fitter, be more inspired. You can do it, but you have to use the time when you have it. My buddies are playing Borderlands online tonight, gonna make an evening of it. I’m going to be in the same room, writing, hustling, figuring things out. Maybe that’s how I get the edge.
This is a bit of a rambling post, but anyway, I hope the gist of it comes over.
Thanks for the good article.
Too bad, colleges are stealing these years from our brightest 20-somethings. Just when you think you are done at 22, you end up going back for a Masters, and maybe even a PhD. Some friends I know won’t get out until they are 35 and will have a mountain of debt! One would think that college fosters productivity, but take a good hard look at what grad students are actually doing. Much of it is busy work and totally unrelated to what they will actually do on the job.
The option of bypassing college is scoffed at by society and Gates is looked at as a “special case.” How do colleges respond? They give him a “honorary degree” in an effort to inspire others and take ownership of his achievements. Why doesn’t Gates refuse the honor? Why doesn’t the college say, “we don’t want to encourage dropouts?” This generation and the federal government (which hands out loans like candy) are being exploited by academic institutions. The bottom will fall out just as it did in the housing market.
I don’t know what it is about today but I’ve just been getting a lot of kicks up the ass to GET OFF MY ASS and do stuff. I think the world is trying to tell me something.
I suppose at 23 I have a few years in which to make something happen. Here’s to a productive 2013 and an even better 2014.
Let’s do it!
As a twentysomething I really appreciate this article. Great job Brett!
Dear Kate and Brett:
As always an insiteful article that I hope those still in their 20-something will take to heart. While I do appreciate such good insites, I must admit I do feel aggrivation as to you posting it 13 years too late for me. Though I have acquired such knowledge from the school of hard knocks, it would have been prefferable to have learned this instead of attending said school.
So to you 20-somethings fortunate enough to have stumbled or been referred to this site, I suggest the following:
1. Print above article.
2. Shred article
3. Put in cocktail shaker
4. Add 1 part scotch w/ 2 parts lemon
5. Shake vigiroulsy
6. Obsorbe the knowledge and enjoy
Because the alernative is waking up on the morning of your 30th birthday and wondering what in the HELL you did with your 20′s.
Regards,
Joshua Gentry, Esquire
Great post! I turn 20 in a week :)
To be honest though I’ve never been much for risks.
Interesting article. I’m turning 28 on the 14th, and I’ve definitely had that self-reflective moment of realizing that I am not the same person I was in college. And frankly, I don’t always like the feeling. I have a great job, a wonderful fiancee, my first car I ever bought from a dealership, and I’m “getting it right” with so much responsibility I want to light the place on fire and drink scotch while it burns sometimes.
I really hope the tail end of this series looks at continuing and recapturing some of this energy further into adulthood, and maybe some advice on the emotion of transition?
As a twenty something myself I enjoyed the above article. I thought the comments by Achaean added an excellent and well thought out additional reference point.
Wow! Great article. I just this weekend (at 39 years old) just confronted and resolved some things that I’ve been holding onto since I was about 22. However, that’s not as relavent as the fact that I was the poster child for one who spends their 20′s as a slacker or in that time of limbo. I do regret it in many ways but also understand it was that time that helped shape me into who I am today.
I have been “preaching” to my nephews, who are 23 and 20, to not make the same mistakes I did. I’ve been telling them they can have fun and work hard too – finish college, make plans for your future, keep your credit good, make smart financial decisions, don’t get into “big” trouble, etc. I have said to them that no I am not hypocrite – I am an expert. I’ve tried to explain how much harder some things become when you are starting 5-10 years late. They have the opportunity now, while they are young and fairly free from some of lifes later responsibilities to get a jump on life and set themselves up to be in great position for the next phase of their lives.
I’ll be sharing this article with them – and save it for my son who is just 6-7 years out from this time of life.
Thanks.
“At the end of Abbey Road, when the Beatles effectively stopped working together, Lennon and Starr were 29, Paul was 27 and George was 26.”
Which means all of the Beatles success as a group – the creativity, prolific song writing and incredible recordings – came when they were in their 20s (though it should be noted that George Martin – who signed, arranged, produced and shaped nearly everything they did musically – was in his late 30s and early 40s during this same period). There ya go.
This is a really interesting article that explains “The Myth of Adultescence”, written by Alex and Brett Harris, best-selling authors of the phenomenal book “Do Hard Things” (which challenges teenagers to rebel against the low expectations society sets on them). I felt that it was related somewhat to this article. http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-1/
Hey all you guys out there.
I am a 23 year old woman and I can’t tell you how much you have encouraged me with your comments. The world is heading down a slippery slope and there are fewer men out there who are held to a higher standard. Almost every guy I know my age still goes home and plays video games while his mom makes him dinner, either that or staying in school til they are 40. Fight the norm guys! AOM has encouraged me to keep my standards high and that REAL MEN still exist and its also taught me some cool camping tricks haha. I speak for all REAL WOMEN out there when I say Thank you.
I just turned 20 two days ago. Impeccable timing, sir!
Also, a few weeks ago I reviewed an article from a scientific journal (maybe Cell, can’t remember) about age of the father and the likelihood of autism and schizophrenia. It was interesting to learn that while the ages of both parents plays a role in the likelihood of mutations (including those that result in autism or schizophrenia), the age of the father has a much greater impact. Part of why this is has to do with how both sexes produce gametes. Ova are produced prior to birth, and also have special proteins that do an excellent job of maintaining the integrity of DNA (which enthusiastically tries to tear itself apart). Sperm, on the other hand, don’t have these proteins and are produced from puberty onwards, and so are more susceptible to mutations as age increases.
Repeat after me:
“I am not my brain. I am not my brain. I am not my brain.”
This is so true. Between 19-22 I had the insatiable urge to leave. It didn’t matter where I was, I wanted to be somewhere new and fresh and exciting. Unfortunately I didn’t have the money or resources to do all of the exploring I wanted. Now at 24 when I DO have the money, I just, don’t care anymore.
Really enjoyed the article.
One thing to be careful of however is the problem that often occurs in such articles (in this and others in our society) is that the tone can veer towards is if you haven’t ‘achieved’ by the time you are 30, you are in some way failing or can’t achieve those things as well or ‘with the same intensity’ in your 30s.
As we all probably know, male suicide is at it’s peak at this age (late 20s and early 30s) quite probably BECAUSE of this popular cultural norm.
“You are not in your ‘dream’ career by 30″
“You are not a homeowner by 30″
“You are not married…”
“…With kids”
There is a lot of societal pressure on men to achieve the above by a certain age as our parents and grandparents did. In an ideal world, as men, we would all have achieved this in our 20s.
Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world.
I guess it would serve another article, but for various reasons all of the things our parents would have taken for granted in their twenties, good job straight out of university, job security, opportunity to buy a home etc are a lot less possible for those of our generation. In fact any sense of certainty has almost been completely removed for those entering the ‘real world’ straight out of university. So to have any implication that young adults are failing if they haven’t tick-boxed these things in their 20s is potentially damaging – I agree with @Achaean
By the way, I do agree entirely with the premise of the article – I am not a fan of thinking things don’t matter in your 20s and not planning ahead, however, my belief is that actually, most of what happens in your 20s will now effectively be planning (saving, getting a very junior job in your chosen field if you’re lucky) but not the actual execution for most people. The opportunity to seriously execute getting a good job, buy a home etc will be nigh-on-impossible for most in their 20s now.
Even starting a business would require a capital injection which would be difficult for most in their 20s to secure.
I would like to see more emphasis on us achieving our goals and dreams and perhaps most importantly the practical steps we can take to achieve them, pushing our boundaries and expectations of life, no matter what our age.
Thanks
As a man in my mid 30′s I found myself thinking like Dale – did I miss my window of opportunity? During my 20′s I think I was too risk averse and now I have family and financial responsibilities that make it more difficult to do the things that I could/should have been doing in my 20′s (like starting my own business).
It’s going to take greater effort to do now what I could have been doing then but I am determined to pursue those things and not let my early caution hinder the rest of my life.
One small detail: female fertility starts to fall off gradually around age 27 before dropping more dramatically after age 35. The extended adolescence will lead to extended IVF. There are also studies that delayed childbirth is a risk factor for breast cancer.
Excellent article, though a few years late for me :)
Looking forward to a followup. I wonder whether, when I have kids, I should push the kids towards adventures or an arts degree rather than a more profitable technical degree in consideration of this…
I turned 19 a few days ago, and this si exactly how I feel. This is the time to start things. A few months ago I started to feel an urge to create. Something, anything of value. And also to re-evaluate my principles. And this is an impulse that is still getting stronger week-by-week.
I can also learn a lot faster. Things simply took a belly flop. Instead of me having troubles with getting the A-s I need, now high school cannot keep up with me. I’m having a feeling I’m actually being held back by school.
I turned 20 five days ago. This couldn’t come at a better moment.
“Don’t Waste Your Twenties…” good advice but 20 years too late.
I fear that at 21, I have developed too much of a cynical view of my generation to be able to say that I have my 20s to take risks, take chances, etc. I suppose my view of risks is what 50 years ago would have been the “safe” thing to do: getting married, starting a career and buying a house. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy travel, getting agitated over world events, getting a little too drunk, driving a beater care without a worry, but it seems that the true risks are those which should be so safe. i agree with many of the commentors here who say that people my age are lazy, unmotivated, and only live in the now; heck I even know a few like that.
Great stuff, but kind of a downer for the ones above 30 ? I myself am there soon. But facts before fancy. You know the saying.. allright, lets keep reading.
(This page is gold, AOM.)
AWESOME POST!!!
I am 20 years old and never thought of life this way… when you said about (ABD) I was shocked!! hahaha! you were saying the same exact words I said about my dad and mom! I just hope not to have that symdrome!
Love the article, I will print it right away thanks Brett and Kate!! YOU ROCK!
A really fantastic article Brett. As a 21 year old I’m often told that I’m way ahead of the curve maturity wise which can be disheartening sometimes. It sounds conceded for me to shrug off positive compliments like that but I feel like they’re brought up as a negative especially around my peers. I still am very young and always enjoy pursuing things with passion like you talked about. It is encouraging to read that I’m not such a social pariah like many of my friends make me out to be for preparing for my “launch”, so to speak. Great writing!
To those of you who just turned twenty, enjoy the moment because you’ll be celebrating fifty in a couple of weeks–or so it seems. Whoever it was who first said that “…it’s always later than we think” understood this very well.
While this article might be true for some men, it was the total opposite for me. I never reached my intellectual potential until I reached my late 40′s. Between the ages of 45 and 53 I achieved more than I had achieved in the previous 30 years. I guess I am a “late bloomer”. I agree with the jist of the article though, try to achieve your potential as early as you can. I kept on trying and it took me a long time and through sheer tenacity and stubborness, I achieved my goals much later.
This is my first time posting a comment so let me begin by saying that his is my favorite site in the whole world wide web. I’m glad you two have chosen to write an article on this subject. It couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m a victim of my limbic system getting the best of me in my earlier adolescent years– not fully thinking before acting and letting my emotions get the best of me. I am now 23 years old and I’m happy I still have time to take advantage of these couple years of brain development.
Anyways, I was hoping that one day the AOM would write an article on the effects alcohol and drugs on the brain and on one’s life in general. I’ve done my share of both in my early adolescent years and have been coming slowly to a stop, but not completely. I feel like I haven’t heard/read anything that has given me the motivation to stop completely. Does the ideal man partake in alcohol/drugs? Is there a limit or should he avoid it at all costs? I’d really love to hear your point of view because I feel like it is hindering me from becoming the best I can be and I can’t seem to inspire myself not to do it. I am not a alcoholic nor a crack/pothead; however, in this generation that lifestyle is marketed hard through media and entertainment, which makes it hard not to be somewhat affected.
Again, I just want to thank you for taking time out of your lives to write meaningful articles. They’re topics I wished my own dad or mom talked to me about when I was growing up.
This was a great post, and extremely relevant to all young adults like myself. The post hit on a lot of key points, such as the “tug-of-war” between the impulsive and CEO parts of the brain.
Looking forward to tomorrow’s post. Keep up the inspiring and informative work!
This is a fine article but I would like to add one caveat that may be implicit, but should be stated outright.
Take responsibility and ownership for your actions. This is scarce in United States’ culture and at epidemic levels in today’s youth. Everyone always has an excuse or justification. How many times have you heard something along the lines of “they are only a kid”, “they are just having fun”, “they are supposed to do that” directed at young people? This “absolving” of behavior that is rampant cannot coexist with the content of the article, if you are to take risk and fight for reward, then own it and do it like a man.
Most Twentysomethings are in a position to take advantage of possibilities not only because of their physiology, but mostly because of their duties, or more aptly lack of them. If you are not providing for a family and are depended on little, then you can afford to be less cautious in “launching” than someone who does have those responsibilities. This is a much stronger indication of actionability than raw age, it just happens to coincide with the Twentysomething demographic, especially on the younger side of the spectrum. If you are in this fortunate position then proceed with gusto.
I say all this as a 20 year old that has 4 years of professional career experience, supports a mother, sister and grandmother and earns 10% more than the median family income for my municipality. Although I don’t think this applies to my current self as much as it would when I was in my early teens, I cannot stress enough how excellent the article is. It would be nice to see a movement of young Men who played “life” instead of video games.
I’ll be 27 in 2 months….and am just starting college again to finish my degree. Life is what it is. It is what you make of it, no matter what stage one is in life. One thing you cannot forget…..don’t give up.
@Brett McKay
Thank you for the reply! These articles are always insightful. When is the next podcast?
I try to keep things in perspective. All of the people mentioned had certain opportunities or impulses, too. Julius Caesar cried at the foot of a statue of Alexander the Great, because he hadn’t accomplished half as much by his age…and this is is the man whose name would become synonymous with “King!”
Great article and great points, but don’t get down on yourself if you haven’t founded Apple or developed the six shooter yet!
I got a little bit of a chill as I read this post (and part 2 also). I just turned 30 a couple of weeks ago, and the “settling” effect described is familiar. I’ve felt it. Yet I still had to think back and ask myself, “What did I do with my 20s? Was it enough?” I think so, and I hope so, but I guess time will tell. And yes, I do still listen to all the same music I did in college (it seems like nothing worthwhile has come out since then!)
Does anybody, in particular, our blogger Brett, believe that we should look for a way to where we can always pursue the risky paths in life after the age of 27? Is it a good thing that, from what I appear to be understanding from the article, that we should become more even tempered and take less risks in our lives?
Interesting read. It jives with what I know of development from my education/biology courses. So…for whatever that is worth, haha
Something occurred to me when reading this: it is interesting that many psychological diseases have their onset during this period of time, the 15-25 span. You mentioned schizophrenia: it’s age of onset is between 24 and 35 (or thereabouts) and some believe the maturation process has something to do with it. Essentially, the brain is “pruning” connections, and that cutting back reveals the deficits that cause schizophrenia. That’s one hypothesis anyway.
I have noticed a mellowing out effect in myself and friends of similar age (I’m 25). I definitely concur with the feeling things intensely part. That makes mental illness a lot worse, I think. A good bit of my passion and intensity was given over to anxiety and sapped by depression, and I think that’s common among many young people.
In your 20s you’re a poker player, in your 30s a chess player.
This article actually came at the perfect time in my life. I just got an opportunity to move across the country away from where I’ve lived my whole life. I made the decision to do it a few days ago, however, this makes me feel quite a bit better about my decision.
Thanks for the continuous help through life!
I like Kim’s comment about poker and chess. In your 20s it seems like you are willing to take more risks. In your 30s you make more moves based on the risks you made in the past.
Wish 20s came back around after 30s.
Great article (as usual). I turn thirty in one month and as I look back on the last decade I honestly that it has set the course for the rest of my life. Made plenty of mistakes and wasted some time along the way, but I also made some crucial decisions that I’m grateful for (college, family, etc.). Your twenties are a time to be bold and take risks, just do so with a purpose. Thanks again Brett and Kate!
Definetly do everything in your 20′s when you still believe in the impossible because by the time you’re 35, your logic button has taken over your life and it keeps you from even trying anything.
Just like that all children don’t begin walking,talking, or reading at the same time, our brains “mature” at different times as well.
Also, keep this in mind American twentysomethings: your generation is predicted to have a lower standard of living than your parents.Get cracking!
i could have really used this when i was twenty…. such is life.
Brett, this is incredible. I appreciate the links to the source, but you quite concisely put together a powerful argument. I lead a couple dozen 20-somethings in the military and work with a college ministry. With your permission, I’d love to condense this and put it into a brief (with all due documentation), and share with the target audience. Standing by…
I was wondering when science would begin to catch up to the brain and learn its functions. Of course, mental health has become of monumental imporance recently. Some of you seem concerned that your 30′s and 40′s are too late. Thats not what this article says at all, but no doubt that question would creep up. Lets face it we are all not going to be great entrepreneurs, but there was an article posted here a while back called, “The Gains Of Drudgery” by William James Dawson in which he stated something like, “He who is faithful in the little things is whom authority will be given over larger things.” This statement applies to a male or female of any age.
I’ve come to realize I’ve wasted a lot of my 20′s. People I know are accomplished, like really accomplished. I have an associates and and an Admin. Assistant. I’m getting in shape to ready for enlistment in the Army. I think it’s the kick in the butt I need.
That’s a really interesting read, specially since it was mostly backed up by research. However I couldn’t identify with this at all – perhaps due to clinical depression under treatment since my mid-teens.
Still, an mind-opening post. Thanks!
Great post! I’m 22 and so far my twenties haven’t been very fruitful. This article has really helped motivate me to really start my adult life and given me things to think about. Thanks for the post Brett.
Great post! I really enjoyed reading it. Oh, and the picture under ‘Deep Passion’ is a vintage photo I’ve seen before of my university in the 1960s. I go to Humboldt State University in northern California, and the picture is an anti-war rally held in front of the music building.
There is so much potential in our 20′s but unfortunately, as you state here, there is often a period of extended adolescence.
However, with the right guidance and mentoring the 20 something year old can be led to develop and possibly reach his potential. Or at least move in the right direction early on.
-Sam
This was a great post. Anyone interested in this kind of thing should read ‘The Social Animal’ by NYT columnist David Brooks.
I finished my business undergrad at 22, got married at 24, started my business at 25, had my first child at 26 and the second one at 27. Now I own a successful company that does millions in business and I am still only 28.
I was almost depressed about having done so much so early in my life and missing out on being able to live freely.
I am a positive guy but I often have moments of envy and sadness when I see my friends and others living their life of adolescent, doing things that average 20somethings these days are doing.
But this article has changed my entire perspective and for once I am (as I should be) extremely happy with the way I have spent my 20s.
Thanks Bret and Kate!
As a fellow twenty something, does anyone else find it difficult to chase dream jobs/opportunities/launching businesses when the “grown ups” automatically assume we are still too young and are not being realistic or following the old natural process of how things work in their eyes?
I wish they would do a series for those of us in our 50′s.
i wasted mine
Great read!
Shared it wherever I could, thanks :)
Fantastic post, Brett.
I’m in agreeance with the other comments; with Sam on the importance of mentoring (I’ll take a 1-on-1 coach over classroom any day) and Matt about American 20-somethings (particularly the guys). As an American, it embarrasses me that my fellow 20-year-olds aim to be the next guild leader in World of Warcraft and biggest porn collection. Stop wasting your life on pixels.
In our day, the fast eat the slow, and if there’s one group of people I’m proud of, it’s the remnant of young dudes who are moving fast, loving their wives, and getting much done for humanity. My 28 year old bro-out-of-law (he hasn’t the stones to marry my sister-in-law) half-seriously claims to be 19. He’s a ‘boy who can shave’, the single group I happily disrespect and mock openly.
Last year, I moved to Denmark, married my now wife, planted a now-flourishing church, and am nearing fluency in Danish, expanding our horizons, and expecting a daughter in June. I’m 21, and if I can offer my 20-something compatriots any words of wisdom (or folly): work hard. Prove them wrong. Opposition is the green light. Don’t waste your life. Video games are stupid.
You’re welcome.
Kind regards from Denmark,
Michael
Just like some of my companions here, I’m in my 20′s now and I’m also very grateful for your words of wisdom spread over this blog. It is very inspireful to me and your articles always help me, giving me strength to think straight and steady.
Very uplifting article. I’ve recently turned twenty-four and have had moments lately where I have been pondering as to what I have done up to this point, what I am doing now and what I need to do in order to have a successful future. This article jumped out at me and gave me the motivation I need to keep myself in check whenever I may get down on myself. Cheers!
Thanks for this great article. I am 40 now and while I was no Einstein, I spent my 20′s striving for my excellence. I set goals in sport, education, photography and travel. I got married and embraced life. While I wandered a bit, but my passion and dedication set the foundation for me to find the right career for me in my 30′s and success at work. I never had to give up any of my passions as I aged that I found in my 20′s as they became a part of me.
THANK YOU BRETT AND KATE SO MUCH FOR THIS ARTICLE!! I AM 26 now and it’s high time i started accomplishing something with my life and kick my drug and drinking habits for good. I’m in a prime environment right now to become a man of outstanding character and this is just the motivation i need at the moment!! TY!
Joshua Gentry you sir a true gentleman! I will take your advice to heart my good man!
This is excellent guys. I turned 28 in Nov. 2012 — and I must say I do feel myself making more calculated (and better) decisions. I’ve made it a point to not let my emotions get the better of me and am trying to make thoughtful decision-making a habit. This was presented very well. On to part 2!
@Andy Brimman — I was scrolling through the comments and found yours. As I said, I’m 28 as well. I went about my 20s in a similar fashion as you and actually lost friends because I stopped going out all the time like in college. To be honest, I do wish I could be out partying and definitely get that “Facebook envy” when I see people appearing to be having fun. Then, I realize that I am married, have a beautiful house, great job, learning to program, have savings, learned more since college than when I was in it, and I could go on. I wouldn’t trade that for ANYTHING — parties or whatever. This article helped really put things in perspective. Best of luck to you, Andy, and all Art of Manliness readers.
great article…m at middle of my twenties and this really is a wake up alarm to me…to go out and shine,Thankyou
Thank you for publishing this article. I recently turned 20 and I have began to question everything. I am a self proclaimed borderline conspiracy theorist, and I will be the first to admit that I have what is almost a paranoid view of the American government, which, given our current political climate, isn’t particularly irrational. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country with such passion, that I am leaving for basic training on the 22nd of July, and am most likely going to be Baptized with Fire in the middle east. But that is neither here nor there.
I needed to read this article because I have had what can only be described as a surreal philosophical awakening, and its so powerful that it is starting to affect my personal life negatively. I couldn’t explain it. I hated it because I didn’t understand it. but this article explains everything! so I now know what i must do now to ensure the path in life i want to take, so I thank you, Mr. and Mrs McKay.
Every Young Dudes across 20 age, must must read this post ,..
I Like it
Just because you’re older doesn’t mean you aren’t creative or that you can’t restart your life. Being more mellow and stable will open more doors because you won’t be as prone to emotional bouts. You will have that consistent core of self and principle. Not only that, you will gain the self discipline necessary to be great at what you do. I just recently turned 24 and I have finally decided on what I want to do. Making that decision was hard, but it beats staying in a low paying, thankless job. I cut out the options that were making me indecisive, freeing myself by limiting myself. This capacity to self discipline was not in me a few short years ago.