Quarter-Life Crisis

I'm almost 25 (that's Almost 25, I still have plenty of youthful 24 to take advantage of). Over the last few months I have been devoting some thought to my upcoming Quarter-Life Crisis. I take this milestone event very seriously, and don't want to simply jump into some sort of crazy decision... I want to iron out the details of said crazy decision first. The MID-Life Crisis is easier to figure out, there are solid road maps available; hair-plugs, Porches, new 20-something trophy wives (for the divorcées - edgy? I know).


















The Quarter-Life melt down on the other hand is a tricky one. I've toyed with a few ideas:

1) Get really Fat, go on the Biggest Loser, get skinny, and win big money... to buy food and get fat again (see, this could in fact be recycled as a Mid-Life Crisis later on).
2) Learn to play the guitar, quit, give it another go 3 months later, quit, and then continue the cycle well into my 30s.
3) Smash a guitar (this would follow the above, ideally after a few cycles have run their course).
4) Sell my belongings, cash out my savings, burn the money, and wander off with out a plan; 'Into the Wild' style.
5) The above option, but without the burning of the money, and the ominous 'Into the Wild' reference, sooo Travel.
6) Become Tony Stark... or Bruce Wayne, really either one would get the job done. Batman does get to wear a cap though... hmmmm.
7) Learn to juggle swords, or fire, or swords on fire, Oooo, or Chainsaws!!!
8) Learn to cook, Eat the food, become Fat - (refer to item 1 above).
9) Get into flying kites, or building models, or constructing 3D puzzles - Ooooor continuing to not do any of these activities, and feeling Great about that choice.
10) Join the C.I.A. as a spy (cause this is something you can simply choose to do).
11) Get Nun-chucks.
12) Become an astronaut and walk on the moon (you need to shoot for the stars... or the moon in this case).
13) Go on Survivor and befriend Jeff Probst.
14) Go on Big Brother and try to evict Julie Chen.
15) Go on the Amazing Race and punch a Travelosity Gnome.
15) Join the circus.
16) Learn to not count '15' twice.
17) Pull off a Heist.
18) Eat more Candy.
19) Take longer and more frequent Naps.
20) Become a dominant Board Game player.
21) Continue to be Awesome, always.

The key is to commit. It's about wandering well out of your comfort zone in search of the big rewards regardless of the big risks. It's about a touch of regret with a taste age, as the invincibility of youth begins to slip away. It's also about being a huge goof, and wanting a little more attention (I'm a Quarter of a Century Old, Look at Meeeeeee!).

















The truth is 25 doesn't bother me. The day will come and go and aside from blowing out the candles and getting a few extra B-Day hugs (and loving having a Party that's all about Me), I will be the same person. It's a nice round number, it's five hands worth of fingers (Oh, add it to the list: return to describing my age by the finger... I'm This many), it's five years away from Thirty and fifteen years away from Fourty (which is the new Thirty). It's that age where you're old enough and young enough at the same time. It's an exciting piece of life that's action-packed with uncertainty, potential, enthusiasm, and an eagerness to search for more. I didn't ask the question before, but I'll ask it now: Am I ready to embrace my Mid-Twenties? Like a Shark embracing a weekend Surfer. (Perfect, add it to the list: 'Learn to Surf'... wait, 'Learn to beat up a Shark' then 'Learn to Surf').