An Open letter to Twenty-Somethings

Dear Twenty-Somethings, Congratulations! You’ve just been hired by one of the best companies in the country. Everybody wants to have the job that you have. Everybody wishes they’re as smart and as lucky as you. Everybody wants to have a compensation as good as yours. Everybody wants to be in your shoes. Well, except you. Pretty tough, huh? What you thought to be a glamorous job turned out to be one of your worst nightmares. You can’t seem to meet expectations no matter how hard you try. You were drowned in other people’s apathy and everyday has been a struggle to get out from the mess fate has put you into. Welcome to the real world. You should have been warned. The real world is way different from your high school and college days when you were simply content doing things within your comfort zone. You were so used to being pampered that when things got a bit awry when you stepped into the real world, you just faltered. And so you planned your great escape. You courageously start letting go of all the comforts you were used to having. Then you decide to embark on a soul-searching journey. You will shut yourself away from everything and from everybody. You will take jobs that you don’t really want. You will learn to swallow your pride and allow yourself to be trampled upon. You will run errands for your boss, make them coffee, kiss asses, learn to do the dirty parts of being in a corporate setting and you will totally forget about yourself. You will painfully take everything in because you have a rent to pay, debts to pay and a lifestyle to maintain. You will cry your heart out in this journey for what seems to be like an eternity. Twenty something, just hold on. Like any other event or circumstance, this also shall pass. The real world isn’t called the real world if you just sit pretty and only take the good things in. You have to be defeated so you will learn to rise above it and come out better than ever. You have to experience the trivial things in life because it’s the only way to prepare you for the greater things that lie ahead. You have to experience the pains you’re being put through so you will learn to appreciate joy when it starts storming in. Twenty-something, don’t compare yourself to your friends who seem to be having the time of their lives. Trust me. They only post the good stuff on Facebook. They may seem to be enjoying touring around the world but they, too have journeys to tread. Your journey may come in a different form but the lessons and values that are being conveyed are just the same or in your case, maybe better. Don’t wallow and just feel bitter that you’re not enjoying what your other friends may be enjoying. Twenty-something, you’re in a stage when life allows you to search yourself and know what you really want. You’re in a stage when you are allowed to make mistakes and have all the chances to correct them. You’re in a stage when you are allowed to be poor, be broke and be wild. You’re in a stage when you are allowed to dream big things. You’re in a stage when life gives you experiences that will pave the way for you to realize your true passions. Don’t be blinded by the mundane. Open your heart and your mind for the opportunities and the lessons that life is trying to give you. Twenty-something, things will make sense at the right time. Just continue doing what you do. You’re definitely on the right track. Don’t lose hope. Just keep on believing. 10 years or so from now, you will be proud of your experiences. What you’re going through right now will bring you to the great person that you shall become. What you’re going through right now will teach you to be humble and to appreciate the people who will help you on your way up. You will get what you deserve at the right time. In the meantime, gather all the strength and courage that you can while your heart’s being put to test. Twenty-Something, I know you’re all broken and scattered. Slowly, you shall pick up the pieces. And as you start picking up the broken pieces of yourself, bring with you all the lessons of this particular life journey. Trust me, the joys and the awesome-ness that the next life journey brings are beyond amazing. You will be whole again. And when that time comes, just be proud of what you’ve gone through before you got there. Your heart will definitely have the brightest glow that no shadow can ever dim it. Twenty-something, just continue with your journey. It will never be the same when you’re past it. Nights when you have nothing to do but just cry your heart out will end. When you’re ready, life won’t deprive you of the joys that you very well deserve. Keep your optimism alive. I’d love to think that one day you’re with your friends, sharing life experiences over Starbucks or a fancy dinner. Yours will surely be the best and the most inspiring. So twenty-something, whatever you’re going through, just carry on. :) Sincerely, Somebody Who Already Went Through Early Twenty-Something Challenges and Survived P.S. Life now is a blast. I guess it's the price of surviving my early twenties :) http://www.coydiaries.com/2012/08/an-open-letter-to-twenty-somethings.html