Finally, they learn to say no. After a youth dazzled by possibilities and the fear of missing out, they discover that committing to the few things you love is a sort of liberation. They piece together their mosaic.

- David Brooks, How Adult Happens, New York Times, June 12, 2015

David Brooks wrote an eloquent piece on a topic that I thought about during the majority of my twenties: when and how will I grow up to become an actual adult? Brooks thinks the transition from youth to adulthood happens to Americans between ages 22 to 30. It starts with finding a job and moves toward realizations of life, jobs, love, and relationships. It's definitely worth a read!

I came out of college completely unprepared for the world ahead of me. My thoughts and ideas of life after college were completely out of whack with reality, and reality gave me a swift kick in the ass about my self absorbed importance. But years passed and I learned to grow up and see myself and the world in a bit of a different light. I learned money is very important, but an insatiable hunger or drive for money is corrosive. I learned that there are "friends," people who are friendly enough but have you in their life for their own selfishness and insecurities, and those people are not worth your time. With my real friends, I've learned that overanalyzing lapses in communication may be unnecessary - people are going through a lot of stuff in their life and sometimes you can't take that sleight personally. Give them the benefit of the doubt, a little time, and see where you're at the next time you see each other. I haven't found that perfect job, but I've found one with a purpose. "The grass is always greener" mentality is inherent in all human beings in all aspects of life. Social media and our celebrity culture especially exacerbate this mindset, but those are alternate, weird, and opaque realities. I try to appreciate my good fortune and the people around me who love me and care to make it worth living. Because that grass is really green! Having a fear of commitment (which goes in line with "grass is always greener" mentality) is not healthy, and love is something to hold on to when you find it. Be open and vulnerable and trust your gut. And most importantly, I've learned that I will always have more to learn.