I've got just a few more minutes left in my 24th year of life - as the clock strikes midnight shortly, it'll be my birthday and I'll enter a new quarter-century of life. I've been a little apprehensive about turning 25, because when I think of a 25-year-old, I think of an adult. I'll no longer be in my early 20s and won't be able to call myself a recent college grad... turning 25 means I'm a real grown up! Eek! While this new age is daunting, there's nothing I can do about it - January 31 is fast approaching!
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| Throwback to 2008 - my 21st birthday |
So instead of looking at turning 25 as a quarter life crisis (as I've jokingly been referring to this birthday), I'm viewing January 31, 2012 as Day 1 of my quarter life calm. While I'm a little anxious about real world responsibilities like how much money is in my savings account and how I'm going to afford health insurance next year, I'm mostly feeling pretty good about 25.
My quarter life calm is centered around the fact that I'm pursuing my passions, exploring my potential, and am surrounded by a supportive, loving community. These three words hold special meaning to me, as they are the foundation of the purpose statement for the nonprofit where I work, the Sunset Neighborhood Beacon Center. Living in San Francisco (and flying frequently to Cleveland!), working at SNBC, running for New Balance Silicon Valley, and coaching at USF, I'm arguably happier than I've ever been.
So, I'm entering age 25 with a sense of calm. With a job that challenges me, the opportunity to explore my athletic potential, and a close-knit community of family and friends, I begin this new quarter-century not in crisis about growing up, but instead at peace with the passage of time.
I read an article recently called 11 Things to Know at 25ish. It's a great read for all of you approaching the big 2-5. In the final minutes before my birthday, I'm taking these words from the article to heart:
"Now is your time. Walk closely with people you love... Don’t get stuck in the past, and don’t try to fast-forward yourself into a future you haven’t yet earned. Give today all the love and intensity and courage you can, and keep traveling honestly along life’s path."
Age 25, here I come!
