Eleanor part 2
p2
p2
A lot of my friends are lucky enough to be highly educated. That’s half their problem. Their schooling was the making of them, arguably giving them the best start in life, but it affected their psyche and not always for the best. All they’ve known is achievement. A super-smart barrister friend of mine finds it difficult to enjoy her success, constantly striving for more. “Because of my schooling, achievement was ingrained in me at a young age as the only option, with anything other than being the best seen as a form of failure. At work, even when something goes well, I am already thinking that if I don’t maintain it I will look bad next time.” This is especially pertinent to my female friends who feel like they have to “make it” before their wombs grow mouldy.
So I look to you, previous generations (Generation X, baby-boomers, whoever you are) for the answer. Yet I cannot seem to follow what you’re saying. One minute you’re all banging on about leaning in, which makes me want to cancel my social life for the next five years to focus on my career, and the next you’re all drinking yourselves into oblivion.
Of course I am fully aware of how nice a life I lead right now. I have a fun and interesting job and a roof (not my roof but a roof nonetheless) over my head and Sky+ and I can afford to eat, sometimes in quite nice places. I have prize-winning friends, a supportive family and a kind boyfriend. Life is generally very good. And sometimes I can go out with my friends and laugh and dance. Yet I dare not let myself feel content. Too much to do. I’ve only got 19 months until I turn 30. tulip.
*All names have been changed. No one wants to appear like a neurotic loser in the national press. Except me.
So I look to you, previous generations (Generation X, baby-boomers, whoever you are) for the answer. Yet I cannot seem to follow what you’re saying. One minute you’re all banging on about leaning in, which makes me want to cancel my social life for the next five years to focus on my career, and the next you’re all drinking yourselves into oblivion.
Of course I am fully aware of how nice a life I lead right now. I have a fun and interesting job and a roof (not my roof but a roof nonetheless) over my head and Sky+ and I can afford to eat, sometimes in quite nice places. I have prize-winning friends, a supportive family and a kind boyfriend. Life is generally very good. And sometimes I can go out with my friends and laugh and dance. Yet I dare not let myself feel content. Too much to do. I’ve only got 19 months until I turn 30. tulip.
*All names have been changed. No one wants to appear like a neurotic loser in the national press. Except me.
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