10 Reasons 22 Is The Perfect Age
Twenty-two is basically the only age you can use as leverage. Meaning that because it’s the exact age between life-as-you-know-it and what will later be known as ‘real life’ (that’s scientifically proven, of course), people expect you to make some mistakes.
1. You’re allowed to not know how to do grown-up things like file your taxes, use a blender, or change a tire (okay, maybe that second one is just me).
2. Your metabolism is probably at its peak. So if you’re not already indulging in midnight McDonald’s runs or diving headfirst into a box of extra-fudgy-whatevers every now and then, you’re sincerely missing out, my friend.
3. It’s okay to not have it all figured out just yet. Whatever ‘it all’ is. Since you are probably a recent college grad, your family may give you gentle reminders about your future, but it hasn’t quite reached that pushy get-out-of-my-house-and-get-a-real-job phase. Cue the soul-searching.
4. Speaking of family, it is perfectly okay to live with your parents. Free rent and home-cooked meals? Holla. I mean, as long as you’re living under the pretense of ‘I’m working on nabbing my dream job in a couple years and will then find a humble abode of my own’ kind of thing.
5. Having said that, you’re also allowed to dream big without any inhibitions. Despite people saying you can achieve anything at any age, the truth is you simply cannot be career-selfish when you are married with three kids and own a dog and fish and whatever other pet under the sun you chose to bring into your home. The time is now.
6. Twenty-two is basically the only age you can use as leverage. Meaning that because it’s the exact age between life-as-you-know-it and what will later be known as ‘real life’ (that’s scientifically proven, of course), people expect you to make some mistakes. Mistakes like overcooking a pot-roast or dating someone who may not be right for you. And that’s okay, because heck, you’re just 22.
7. If there were a best possible age to not be in a relationship, 22 would most definitely be it. You are at the perfect age to experience all that ‘loving yourself’ nonsense everyone talks about, which means you get to find out why alone time can be a really great thing. It means you get to have regular Sex and the City marathons while indulging in Chinese takeout. It also means you get to be your only priority. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that, because in ten years from now when you’ve got those three kiddies and a hubby and a full-time job, you’ll be glad ya did. Plus, I predict about a thousand Christmas parties or Bar Mitzvah’s to attend for forever onwards, where you’ll have a one and only by your side. So what’s up with the rush?
8. But to that end, you likely only have another two or three Christmases at best, before mommy dearest begins asking if you’ve finally found that special someone yet — because she knows of a very handsome doctor from southern California who comes from a nice, conservative family for you. Or there’s that lawyer from Massachusetts who spends weekends horseback riding at his ranch that you would just L-O-V-E. Point being, relish your pre-interrogation life of non-set ups while it lasts.
9. You’ve got a solid three years before your inevitable quarter-life crisis, where you will question your career, your boyfriend, and your obsession with canned tuna. So really, you’ve got a solid three years to figure out just how to avert all that.
10. And, because Taylor Swift has a song about it. 