I know EXACTLY how you feel!

I know, I know, the first "real" eviction ceremony happened live on BB9 tonight, and there's much to be discussed in the trashy reality-TV world...but I'll get to it later. I've got more important things to talk about!

I just got a message from an old friend who said they read my blog and really related to what's been going on in my life, and it made me so happy that I had to write about it! I've gotten a few similar messages and phone calls from friends who are the same age as me and are, like me, venturing out in the world, getting first jobs, first apartments, and trying to figure out their role in the universe. I just bubble up with joy when I get these comments from people reaading my blog, because this is EXACTLY why I started writing it--I think all of us "twenty-somethings" feel like we're floating around in the world all alone, but I know we're all feeling the same way and going through the same stuff, and I hoped that by writing about it I could maybe provide those other twenty-somethings with the comfort of knowing that someone out there knows exactly how they feel.

Most of the time it feels like it's all pay checks, rent checks, cooking for one, trying to save money, and trying to figure out whether hanging out with your coworkers outside of the office would be a good idea, since there really isn't anyone else to hang out with. And a lot of the time, that sounds really boring. But the truth is, we are all at a phenomenal point in our lives. A time when, unlike college, we don't take any social engagement for granted and get excited when we actually have plans for the weekend. A time when we call our moms to tell them what we cooked for dinner just because we're so proud of ourselves for not picking up Subway on the drive home. A time when we appreciate what we have so much more because now we have to fork over most of our paychecks to have it. A time when we come home from work and don't have to do homework, clean up after anyone, or go to five different extra-cirricular meetings or practices.

There will (hopefully) come a time when we have money saved up, a family to come home to, and a retirement plan to worry about. But right now, it's just us. We only have ourselves to look after, and we only have ourselves to depend on. And it's scary, but it's exciting too. And even though we feel like losers because sometimes we go to bed at 9:30 on a Friday night, we're so lucky to be where we are, knowing that our jobs, our social lives, and our financial situations can only get better from here on out, but also knowing how to find the joy, the triumph, and the humor in our present circumstances.

So hang in there, all you twenty-somethings. I know EXACTLY how you feel!

Much love,
Lis