EDGE OF TWENTY TWO

I'm thinking of how I'm deserving of an Honorary award for not blowing up my head at 22. Competency is worthy of a veneration and I believe that I've been quite competent in handling the second year of my second decade of life. I don't need to blow my own trumpet but sorry, I already did it. The age of twenty two has several twists and turns and keeping it check all the way is not like eating marshmallow. This is the age where one gets plated formerly and deeply into adulthood like iron and steel and the thorns and horns begin sprouting on one's being. It is one of the life-changing moments where one feels pushed to the notion that they need to prove to the world they exist and should be recognised. Sounds easily achievable but wait until you realise the struggles a 22 year old currently undergoes, some utterly despicable but you can't put up a blame, can you?

So here's the special thing about this, I'm not talking about something I haven't experienced but it's something that I'm quite sure most folks do not know nor understand. I'm speaking out for the 22 year old and I sure deserve a thank-you or even a God-bless-you kind of response for that reason. Haha, just saying.

They told you quarter life crisis begins at 25? Well, all I can say about that is that either they were forced to just obey the century rule or they simply just lied to you, take your pick. I pick the lie. I honestly think they told me an absolute white lie. I'm not 25 yet but I'm so certain, with so much assurance and conviction that it won't be as itchy as my 22. In fact, it's gonna be spiced up and warm, not to forget that that's exactly the same way I described 22 when I was 17. Haha, but I suppose that was just a teenage illusion. This time, I'm saying it as an adult and I'm certain that it's factual.

This is what they fed me about 25. "It is a crisis!, a savage that rips you apart and leaves you breathless and desperate." But crash that thought! 25 might be a mountain with icy spikes that are hard to break and climb but 22, 22 is a huge storm that pounces right through your head and crashes at your brains. Well, it's not as bad as it may sound but all I'm trying to say is that 22 is much more of a crisis than 25 and if 25 is a crisis, then I guess 22 is the bigger CRISIS!

"Blonder hair, flat chest
TV says, bigger is better
South beach, sugar free
Vogue says,
Thinner is better."
You don't realise the pressures of these words until you get to twenty two and start possessing the features of womanhood and indeed Beyonce puts it as plain as it is, 'Pretty Hurts'. At 22, those pressures are bound to to push you face down to the ground and if you back down, you're defeated, there and then.

If you think life is unbearable at teenagehood, talk to a 22 year old and you'll sure love your life after the talk. At least teenagers still have the privilege to choose who and what they wanna be in future. At 22, one has to decide and stand by their decisions. You have to decide and be certain about what you study,  the career to pursue, you have to decide on your future and base a foundation, this is the hardest part by the way. Surprisingly, you need to put a decision on every aspect of life, even your sexual activities need to be decided on. You need to decide on whether you're going for a taco or a sandwich cause both is too much, only one is required.

A 22 year old got to make a great step in leadership. Know whether they're leading from the rear or the front. You know,  people do not realise they are left behind until they see others ahead of them. I thought I was comfortable with my education and modest lifestyle until the moment I realised that I had age mates building condos in Manhattan and empires in Seattle, not literally, of course, but that's how much I felt left behind and here is exactly where the struggle begins. You feel very much challenged and you strive so hard to reach your goals and at least a level of recognition, since that too, is considered success nowadays.

Growing up is a wonderful and tremendous experience. We all know life is not all rosy. You don't have to own fancy cars or even a sax to make your life musical. It's all about the ups and downs and how you choose to handle them. 22 might be a difficult bone to chew but I'd never disentangle it from my life even if I had the chance to. The life lessons I've gotten all through my life cannot be compared to the ones I have received at 22. And so with great satisfaction,  I give a big THANK YOU to my 22. It has made me understand what I am to expect in the future and made me realise the bitterness of quarter life crisis which I'm hopeful now that I can face without fear or hesitation, BIG UP 22.