Lessons Learned

We exist in a society that fosters extended adolescence. The first time I heard about this was from a teacher in high school. He said that twentysomethings, as we now call them, are taking longer to get married, more time to finish school and moving out of their parents' houses later.

How true this may be without statistics is questionable; but I've been relying on that information to be true.

I don't want to feel like I have to know exactly where I'm going right now. I have a lot of options open to me, and even more that I would like to pursue: going graduate school, traveling through Europe and getting a job I love top the list.

I know that I can't possibly do everything all at once, though that's what I want, and I also realize that I might grow out of the idealism characterizing a lot of my life choices up to this point.

Still, having this "extended adolescence" as a sort of excuse to keep a 9-to-5 job or mortgage payment at bay has been working so far.

Because this is my last day at The News, this will be my last blog entry. From this experience I have learned a lot about having a job, which requires me be responsible and sometimes sit out fun times with my friends. I probably needed to learn all that.

I've also learned alot about criticism. Good or bad, when you put your thoughts out there it's going to come back to you. Growing a thick skin must be part of the twentysomething growth cycle, as well.

So thanks for your comments, constructive and otherwise. I can only hope I don't outgrow my need to respond to them. Cheers, all!

-- Kristen Rajczak

Comments

[Val]

"We exist in a society that fosters extended adolescence...I don't want to feel like I have to know exactly where I'm going right now. I have a lot of options open to me, and even more that I would like to pursue: going graduate school, traveling through Europe and getting a job I love top the list."

Keep track of your dreams -- pursue the ones that mean most, that you have the best tools for achieving.

However, don't forget that topping that list should be a dream of independence, and having your own life, rather than a delayed adolescence under the roof, or wallet, of your parents.

[BobbyCat]

Matt, take your needless criticism, fold it five ways and stick it where the sun don't shine. This isn't English class, dude, and if it were, the class would throw you out the window.

Good luck, Kristin.

[Matt]

A final bit of criticism: It's not "alot," it's "a lot." I learned that in the sixth grade. Having said that, good luck to you and all the best. Your last entry was your best and I do not mean that with malice.

[The Jesus of Cool]

Kristen, Thank you for your blog entries...I looked forward to reading them whenever I saw a new one posted.