We are the most uber-connected, plugged in, Facebooked, Pinned, engaged, informed, yet freaking.isolated.generation in the history of the universe. Research shows that today’s twentysomethings spend more time alone than any other age group. Even slightly above the elderly. They’re at least playing shuffle puck together.
How can this be? Why are we so isolated?
“We long for the assurance that we are not taking this journey alone” ~ Ken Gire
We’ve all experienced the frustration of our 20’s going nothing as we planned, so why do we still feel like we’re the only ones who are struggling?
Is it because everyone has become so good at putting a PR spin on our own Facebook profiles?
Or maybe, we’re just simply not talking. I mean really talking, apart from Status Updates and Tweets.
Maybe it’s just our culture’s pastime to always appear like we have our shiz together, when it couldn’t be further from the truth? To buy that BMW convertible when you can barely afford rent on your small apartment. I’m not sure.
But feeling that we’re alone is the single greatest magnifier of depression, anxiety, and confusion in our 20’s. It’s vital we blow this lie up. But how?
7 Reasons You Are Not Alone
Let’s start here: if you feel like you’re stuck between being adult and child, neither growing nor grown.
— you’re not alone.
If you feel like you’re struggling through a Quarter-Life Crisis you swore you’d never have.
— you’re not alone.
If you’re wondering when life is going to finally feel like “it’s supposed to”.
— you are not alone.
If you’re searching for a place to hang up your coat because it actually feels like home again.
If you’re staring at your gray, cubicle walls wondering how the heck you ended up here.
If you’re wondering if God changed his number and forgot to pass the message on to you.
If you’re asking “what am I doing with my life?” nearly every.single.day
— you my friend, ARE NOT ALONE.
Call someone right now. Shatter the illusion that everything is fine and dandy when it’s not. Have a real conversation. Let them in. Yes making and keeping friends in our 20’s can feel harder than Chuck Norris’ abs. But we have to keep trying.
Let’s stop trying to figure this life out on our own.
Because I promise you, you’re not alone.
Great post Paul. I was actually telling someone earlier today how I really enjoy the online writing community and the friends I have made, but I can’t wait to spend some face to face, in person time with writers and people with my same interest. I am feeling a bit isolated over here, but it not forever.
Thanks Sydney. I can only imagine how this feeling is magnified living in a different country away from what’s familiar. Which in a way, like you said, is the beauty of online communities in that we can take them wherever we go.
But experiencing a cup of coffee online or in your own kitchen, is going to be slightly different.
Agree to all. Facebook is depressing. Can’t get rid of parents (especially mom). Wish I could be in a different city from them, then would be in a more positive outlook. Totally agree Sydney, would like more face-to-face with others who share my interests, but with others who understand, those in their 20’s/ 30’s.
I agree. I think besides the normal akwardnes people feel. it also has to do with their goals/careers/need for stability. Having friends is great, but to have stability its important to take care of the needs.