I'm going to be way honest with you right now. As the cliché says, honesty is the best policy. I have been suffering with symptoms of what I’d like to call “Early-On-Set-Mid-Life-Crisis.” So, I’m going to turn 29 next month. Relatively speaking, 29 is way young. I’m still in my prime. However, and this is going to be a massively gargantuan however, I feel like I’m having an identity crisis. Why? Because ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted nothing more than to be the blushing bride with a hunk of a husband, and to be the mom who walks her adorable kids to school. Has that happened? No. Do I hope it happens? Absolutely I do. If not, I am going to ask for a major refund at life’s ticket booth.
Life has required me to take an alternate path, that of a career. A career I haven't really figured out yet. I never, ever thought this is where I would be at the age of 29. However, and this is an Empire State Building times 100 however, I’ve had a way great life thus far. I’ve been able to travel A LOT, live in a couple different countries, learn Mandarin Chinese, obtain a bachelors degree in Anthropology, gain a great work ethic through many years of employment, and most importantly have successfully driven a car for 13 years of my life.
And now my friends, I desire to be an author. If you would have told me even 18 months ago that I would be aspiring to be a writer, I would have spat in your face and then ran away giggling with a heart shrouded with guilt for spitting on you. Over the years, I have found that the best way to make it through life is to be constantly progressing. Becoming an author is helping me to progress, to make something more of myself. Since I don’t have the family life that I always dreamt of, yet, I can at least be doing something that gives my life greater meaning.
Now my life carries three desires:
1. To be the blushing bride with a hunk of a husband, and to be the mom who walks her adorable kids to school.
2. To be a published and successful writer.
3. To travel, travel some more, and just for the heck of it, travel a lot more.
What are your greatest desires? How are you making those happen? Have you ever had a mid-life crisis, even the early on-set variety? And how have you overcome such feelings? Man, I feel really philosophical right now. Tell me to shut up before I turn into Kant, Plato, or Socrates.
Aw, I know how you feel. I will be 26 soon, and I still haven't found that perfect guy for me either....
ReplyDeleteOur greatest desires are very similar:
1. To be a published author
2. To find that perfect guy (and eventually have cute little kids)
3. To visit Australia, New Zealand, and England
We can root each other on. That is what I like about the writing community, particularly the YA writing community. Everyone is so supportive. :)
Oh, by the way, I enjoyed the Muse song you posted last week. I LOVE that song. Muse is a great group. And you are really making me curious about your book. I can't wait to read it!
I want people to read it for sure. Just got to kick my bum in gear. It's been tought revising lately. I could use all the rooting I can get. :)Thanks for the comment Kristin.
ReplyDeleteIf you asked me as a kid what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have told you I just wanted to be an adult. I had a tough childhood with majority of it being homeless. I will not bore you with the details but for the most part it was just about surviving. My happily ever after happened, when I was at the tender age of 19. I met a fabulous man that was 4 years my senior and made my heart pitter patter and my sides ache from laughter. I have to wonderful kids; a beautiful daughter who is 15 and the funniest son ever that is 11. I decided to get my degree when I was 31 and felt it was a major accomplishment, since I averaged 4 different schools each year when I was growing up. I only went to school up to the middle of my sophomore year and from that point on worked full-time. I am just weeks away from getting my BAS and I am very happy about that but my dream is to become a writer. I know it seems selfish to want more when my life has already done a 180 degree turn from what I ever expected it to be. But I would love to become an author where my sole job is to write novels all day.
ReplyDeleteWowzers Tiffany - That is pretty much incredible. I bow to your great accomplishments. Well, done dear Twister. I am glad you hubby came into your life. You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy fondest desire is to go into space. I've always been a space cadet, I'd just like to make it official. And my German heritage has endowed me with a healthy wanderlust, which means I want to visit all kinds of places all over the planet too.
ReplyDeleteRob - You should watch The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That's the movie for you. Maybe my German heritage has given me the wanderlust, too.
ReplyDeleteI love you Julia!!!!! I have no doubt whatsoever that you will achieve all of your life's desires----and that's because of who you are---you're such a light & we are all so lucky to know you! :D
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely go for your dreams. I tried to do everything but write, thinking I could never, even w/my husband, bring in no money, because that's the reality for many fiction writers. But, after working in p.r. and teaching, I finally couldn't say no anymore, am writing, have had my first manuscript requested by an agent, so at post-midlife (I'm 50) I can say I'm living the dream -- finally! And, better late than never.
ReplyDeletehank You Morgan and Pam for your comments. We can do this thing! I feel like I am getting so much support by you all. Thanks and I hope I can reciprocate support back to you!
ReplyDelete