The quarter-life: It’s not about a particular age, it’s about that time in your life when you’re figuring out who you are and what it is that you’re passionate about.
Maybe you’ve just graduated college, and it’s now time to figure out what exactly you want to do with your life. Or perhaps you have a job you love, but you’ve always wanted to write a book. You want to learn to cook, but you’re of the opinion that you can’t boil water. Better yet, you’ve cooked a decent meal or two – and now it’s time to throw your first dinner party - but how? You’ve always wanted to learn another language, maybe it’s Italian – maybe you want to move to Italy for your very own Eat, Pray, Love existence à la Julia Roberts – hey, I’m not judging. You’re dying to know how to take a beautiful picture, or build a website, or have – yes, that’s right – children. And what about yoga? Haven’t you always wanted to try that? No, not yoga – running. You’ve always wanted to run a marathon. Maybe you’re just looking to figure out that wretched curling iron, or how to pull off seriously bold red lips. Maybe you think you’re destined to be the next President – of Chanel. Whatever.
I woke up one day and decided I wanted to start writing a blog. So, that’s what I did. I’ve never looked back, and I’ve never been happier. I’m so proud to say that starting this blog has led me to my current job. A job where I get to – as I like to put it – “play in recipe-land” all day. (I mean, does it get better than that?!) A reason to wake up on a Monday morning and actually look forward to what’s ahead. Not many people are lucky enough to discover what they’re passionate about – at this young of an age, or ever. I encourage you, no matter what your age, or where you are in your life, to explore those passions. Doing so, for me, has led me to where I’m at now, and I know there are even more exciting things ahead. I have huge aspirations in front of me. Things I’m so excited about, things in my future … And I truly believe that starting here, with this blog, is what developed them.
We all have dreams, and we all have goals – this is our time to start owning them. There are so many things out there that interest us, excite us – and yet for some reason we’re afraid to get our hands dirty, to try something new. I want to show women of our generation and beyond that trying new things is part of personal growth, and part of figuring out who you are. Don’t be afraid of screwing up, making mistakes. I never knew how to cook, no one taught me – I just started trying recipes. I’m still nowhere close to knowing everything, but I’m having a damn good time learning. That’s what this stage of life is about: Self-discovery. We’re all looking for ourselves, and I want to show people how much fun that can be. How much fun it should be.
This is about tearing down the notion of the “quarter-life crisis.” The quarter-life should be full, and it should be fabulous; no matter what your age, it’s about the start of your life - the start of everything you’ve always wanted.
So, go ahead – have your cupcake. And eat it, too.
