I recently found a list I’d made in my twenties. It was a list of all the things I wanted to achieve by the time I was 30. Here’s just a few of those dreams/achievements:
A girlfriend
My own car
A mortgage
A successful career
Children
Celebrity status (Ha Ha! I know…hilarious)
A pension
At 36, here’s what I actually have:
A girlfriend
I’ll be honest with you if I don’t sort out the other stuff quick smart its unlikely she’ll be sticking round for much longer.
The truth is that if you don’t have kids or a shit hot career your life can seem pretty pointless to almost everyone. Especially people with kids and a shit hot career, they’re the worst, “Come on Jen! At least you’ve got your…you know …at least you’ve got…your… feet.” Thanks for that, you’re right of course, I do have feet and I’m grateful that they’ve stuck around for this long. Still, you can’t turn up at a party or social function only to be grilled by some pissed twat you’ve never met before about YOUR LIFE only to reply, “Yeah, well I’m really happy with my life…why? Well I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I’ve got feet mate… that’s it really. Just a great pair of feet. So, not really worried about money, career, a house, kids, savings, a life, cause I have… feet. Nice talking to you…”
I realise that I’m not alone in my personal disappointment. I have other friends who despite their amazing careers, flat screen TVs, children, four wheel drives, life partners and SMEG fridges like to tell me how lucky I am, “You’re the lucky one Jen, you’re a free spirit!” “Am I?” “Yes and its great that you’re following your dream, remember its not about success…” “ I think it is” “It’s about the journey! And you’re on the journey of your DREAMS!” I’ll be honest with you, when I was twenty something and still had dreams they didn’t involve me driving to Newcastle for £80 to try and make 12 drunk people laugh who are happy to tell me that ‘they were expecting a bloke.” My dreams back in the day were a bit bigger…
But life isn’t just about what you’ve achieved is it? Is it? No seriously…is it? I’m hoping its about bigger things like love…and…empathy and…caring… and Radio 4. I don’t know what I’m talking about, but I do think I need to create a new focus and give someone or something my attention and unconditional love. I see my friends with their kids/pets and they look so happy and in love with their respective child/dog/cat/chicken. I’m thinking as a means of growing as a human being that I too should undertake looking after something with a pulse. Care for it. Nurture it. Watch it die…I mean grow…and once it’s grown, watch it die… I mean continue to nurture it… I keep confusing pets/people with basil plants.
So, I’m not going to go on about it anymore. I’m going to head out into the wide blue yonder (Archway) and take on some responsibility. Something that relies on me… (is it me or is it getting hot in here…?) Something that can’t stay alive without my love and attention…(Honestly I really am burning up. I’m going to have to open a window…) Something that needs me! (Oh God I need to lie down…) Maybe I’ll just start with the basil plant and see how I go from there…
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LOL! People should pay you for these great stories. I would pay with pleasure! (: Please keep posting!
I can lend you a chicken…
Oh Jen, you’re so funny (I’d pay too by the way). I think the way forward would be to get a Tortoise. They have a pulse ((just at this time of year) and it won’t be long before it hibernates, so 4 months off from the responsibility, that will break you in gently. Just need to remember to check on it next March time, otherwise you will just end up with an expensive door stop. Also I think a daily blog would help (well it would help me anyway) just to put you under a little bit of pressure to prepare you for responsibility. What do you think?
As far as feet go, yours are a particularly lovely pair – you should count yourself lucky.
It’s true your feet made quite a big impression in our home. There’s pictures up and everything- she took them while you were sleeping of course!!!
You funny girl-make me laugh so you do. Nice one mi deary x
I am also 36 and of that list I only have a mortgage which out of that list is the one thing I wouldn’t choose to have!! So whilst this is severely depressing and I’m wondering what’s up with me again you have cheered me up and you are hot so what else matters???
Very funny! As i’m currently in my twenties i decided to devise my own list, very simular to your own: Girlfriend, decent job, car, cat (haha) and to get something published.
I then asked my best friend what would be on her list, she looked me dead in the face and just replied ‘to not die.’ … she likes to aim high haha.
Haha! I like your style! Glad i found you on twitter! I will be following the growth of your new basil plant with great interest!!