This So Called Life, Pt. 1

Recently, I find myself realizing more and more that life in the 21st century more or less sucks. I’m not the only person who thinks/feels this way, judging by the magazine articles and blog posts I’ve read, conversations I’ve had and overheard, and my own experience. I think I'll take some time to enumerate my own reasons why I think this is; seeing as how this is (partially) my blog and all (or at least what passes for a blog these days):

After 25, all your friendships go downhill

This, my friends, is a sad fact of life. Twenty-five is that age where people begin to get into ‘real’ adult relationships. These things are to friendships as silver bullets are to werewolves. Especially if the friends we’re talking about are women.

One thing I’ve noticed is that for most people, once they enter that long term relationship, they let their other relationships fade. People often do this under the false assumption that friendships, once they reach a certain point, no longer require attention and/or nurturing.

You know, I’m stereotyping. Its not just women who do this; Lord knows I haven’t seen any of my boys in more than 6 months. And yes, they’re all wife’d up before you even ask. One’s even engaged (Congrats, boy!).

The worst part I, as near as I can tell from those around me going through it right now, it becomes even WORSE after 30.

Technology is the WORST thing to happen to social relationships...

This one is a well [researched] and [written about] phenomenon, particular to the way we live like in “The Time After Computers Were Supposed To Explode … But Didn’t.” The Internet – or more precisely the inventions that came with it (blogging, social networking, email, and – worst of all – instant messaging) – has managed to disconnect us all, by connecting us all.

The widespread use of SMS text messaging is also t blame. Sending someone a text message had become a substitute for real, substantive (sometimes not) verbal discourse. When whole relationships – indeed, many life changing decisions – are had completely via text, it’s a problem. People don’t even know how to talk to each other anymore.

...the media is a close second

I don’t think I need to go into this in depth, as most everyone knows how magazines, television and movies portray relationships. Now is when we begin to find out that no matter how hard we wish, Knights in Shining Armor don’t really exist. The Princess of the Tower left the building long ago. The life of a white picket fence, a dog, and 2.8 kids is gone. Period. Deal with it.

We simply don’t live that way anymore. Something like 55% of marriages are ending in divorce; Lord knows how many relationships have broken up on bad notes. How many times must people run into the brick wall of expectation? That’s the hard reality we face, heading into the 2^nd trimester of life.

To be continued….

What We Are

Someone who I consider extremely wise recently mentioned to me that life renews itself every seven years. Biologically, this is true, as in the span of seven years, all of the cells in the body have been formed, persisted, expired, and been replaced. According to her, this is also the case for spiritual renewal. Each person, in essence, becomes a new person every seven years.

I can tell you first hand that this is a STRESSFUL time in life. We see our friends and loved ones going through changes in their lives, while we go through changes ourselves. This blog, at its core, is about this period of life. Our 4^th Seven Years. Here are people who are living and going through it. Just like you. Hopefully you can learn from us, our small triumphs, our huge failures. Or you can just sit back and laugh at how incredibly odd we are. Either way, enjoy.