I’ve had “22” by Taylor Swift stuck in my head today. I’m not much of a Taylor Swift fan, but there is no denying how catchy that song is- like it or not, it sticks.
I also happen to be 22 years of age, which should- in theory- make this song relatable, right? Well, let’s see what Taylor Swift has to say about being 22 and find out.
-Dress up like hipsters (So…BE a hipster…because that’s the same thing.)
-Make fun of our exes (As opposed to being an adult? Come on, now.)
-Breakfast at midnight (This is always a good idea, regardless of age.)
-Fall in love with strangers (Always a bad idea, regardless of age.)
-Happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time (I was a walking contradiction like that when I was about seventeen. Now, thank goodness, it only hits on bad days.)
-Forget the deadlines (That only causes problems.)
-End up dreaming instead of sleeping (It’s fun until your to-do list is still there in the morning and you’re sleep-deprived. Then it’s less fun.)
-You look like bad news, I gotta have you (Well, obviously that’s a terrible idea.)
Let’s be honest: Being irresponsible can be SO. FUN. Rebellion and carelessness and throwing caution to the wind can be delightful and intoxicating. I am right there with you. I understand. Unfortunately, choices have consequences- good, bad, or ugly- even if it was really fun in the moment.
Nothing mentioned in this song is so terrible, and I’m not trying to demonize having fun (or Taylor Swift.) However I have to wonder why this mindset is presented at the same time as being 22 years old…I mean, by this age, many people have graduated from college, gotten a place to live and are holding down a job. It’s hardly the ideal time to start blowing off responsibilities, right?
Really, my biggest issue with this song is that to me it seems to perpetuate the tragic cultural mindset of “You’re young, so you should be out having fun.” This age limit on this is pushed out further and further all the time- childhood, high school, college, now into your twenties…
Let’s face it, guys, when our grandparents were our age they weren’t throwing confetti around at house parties and lounging by the pool. They were working hard to earn a living for the kids they were raising. Both sets of my grandparents had two kids and a steady job when they were 22. Now, it’s perfectly alright if you don’t have two kids yet. But for crying out loud, let’s all aim for the basic adult responsibility of keeping a job and paying our bills on time that our grandparents mastered right out of high school.
My version of feeling 22 happens to be keeping up with dishes and laundry, keeping our calendar, making grocery lists, finding new meals that are cheap and easy, encouraging and supporting my husband, and getting ready for the baby who will make his appearance in the next month. Your version of feeling 22 can be something totally different than that, and that’s totally fine! Let’s all try to live our lives NOW in a way that will be best in the long run…not just what’s fun.
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