As soon as the idea for the ABCs came to me I quickly got out my trusty notebook and began writing down different words that could work for different letters. Surprising L (well and x) was the hardest letter for me. I bantered back and forth with this one. The obvious love kept coming back to me. I really didn’t want to do ‘L is for Love’ for a few reasons. First of all, not all twentysomethings make their twenties about finding love. Many people spend their twenties focusing on career and feel that their love life will come as it does. And the real reason that I did not to do ‘L is for Love’ is that really it’s just so cliche (for me). I started GenPink to be out of the box that I was seeing female bloggers being put in. I refuse to do things that I see as being too cliche. So, since L had such a meaning for me I decided that I should not have a guest writer on this. L is for Life was too important to not take on what that means to me as a twentysomething female.

life [lahyf]
–noun
1. the animate existence or period of animate existence of an individual.
2. a particular aspect of existence.

I think that the early to mid-twenties is the first time that we really get to experience life for what it is. The earlier years are spent focusing on education. It wasn’t until a year or two after I graduated from college that I realized that I had so much control over what I made of my life. Growing up I had a fairytale view that I would go to college and get a job and everything would just unfold as it should. I was in for a rude awakening when I found out the reality of life outside my fairytale bubble.

I was shocked to find that just because you have a degree does not necessarily mean that you will get the job. And just because you have the degree and get the job doesn’t mean that’s really the job for you. The lesson that I continually learn is that life is what you make of it. I know that sounds so cheesy (and cliche) but it really is true. I think it’s scary and empowering all at the same time to know that I have the power to make my life what is today, and tomorrow. The life that I am making for myself now is one that makes a difference in the world.

One of the lesson that I’ve learned this year is that life is now. This seems pretty obvious on paper but many people do not realize what this really means. A few months back a friend of mine lost her brother to an accident. It is moments like this that remind us that we are not always promised future with those we care about. If we spend our whole lives waiting on the perfect moment we will miss out on today. Your life is today, make what you will of it.

I leave you with this quote because I think this sums up what life in your twenties is about.

“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.” – Ben Stein