humanity

For better or for worse, relationships reveal the core of the human condition.

20s
As a freshly new 20-year-old I don’t have much to say about what happened in my twenties. Most of the time, if I’m being honest, I forget that I’m twenty. Someone will ask my age or make a comment about something that happened 20 years ago then say “you weren’t born yet.” I don’t feel 20, or like a teenager, or even a 30-year-old. I know my age is 20, but my knowledge about life is what confuses me. I know more about some topics than other 20-years-old, but with other topics I know less. You’re never really on the same knowledge level as anyone else, ever. I think it becomes more prevalent when you’re out of school. When you’re not surrounded by people who are all the same age as you, act similar because that’s what you do in school. I think that’s when you truly realize what you know and what you don’t know so much about. You go through things and you learn from them. Just because that happens doesn’t mean everybody your age went through something similar or even at the same brain development spot. The one thing I do know, almost if not everybody, feels is pressure. Roughly the same ways, at the same time, and regarding the same topics. Especially, in your 20s. There’s this unspoken pressure of where you should be at 24 and who you should be with at 26 and the way you should be at 29. There are all of the invisible deadlines relating to our career, with love, and life. We almost feel guilty for making mistakes or not being where “they” think we should be at a certain time on a certain date at a certain age. It’s like we need to have our shit together. Yet, nobody has their shit together. We’re wrong for not having our shit together, but the fact of the matter is we’re not perfect at making it appear to literally everybody that we do indeed have our shit together. We don’t really get to enjoy anything because we’re so stressed about the invisible deadlines. We worry over whether we’re doing things “the right way.” The right way isn’t the right way. It’s not the way for most people, but people feel like they have to follow it. Nobody feels pleasure in doing things the wrong way, when people should. Society says everybody makes mistakes, but nobody is actually allowed to make mistakes. People should be taught to live in the present and grow up in the process. I think it naturally happens that way anyway. You grow up by going through shit. My brother died when I was 17. It changed my life, obviously, but the reality of it was I learned a lot and grew a lot from going through that. Whether I liked it or not, I was growing. My views changed along with my personality and overall who I was as a person. Every single thing that happens is part of the process and every single thing that happens makes you grow. I read all over the internet that my 20a will be my selfish years. I don’t really get what that means because in my 20s I belong to everybody else. I feel as though, in today’s world, you never really are selfish. You don’t have the opportunity to be selfish because you always belong to someone or something. How can I be selfish when I have all these invisible deadlines to meet? Oh, you don’t see those invisible deadlines? That’s right, you’re the one giving the invisible deadlines.
By B7 years ago in Humans
Growing Up 'Redneck'
They may be just a pair of boots to you, but to us, it's our favorite pair of square toes. We know the soles are worn smooth and the leather is creased, but no, we don't care. We know that they make an annoying clicking sound when we walk on hard surfaces, but all the good ones do. No, the grease stains can't be wiped away, but we'll continue to wear them. Those boots have been there for us more than some people. They got nothing but compliments at Mamaw's best friend's funeral. It's not just a pair of shoes to us.
By Brooke Nicole7 years ago in Humans
Who You Were Born as May Not Be the Person You Were Meant to Be
The definition of a person, let alone a gender, is fluid—who you love, what you were, what you stand for, and the life you choose to lead. Yet society seeks to oppress and silence the masses of women, young people, lesbians, gays, and transgender people. I read/watched three pieces that were all founded upon the central idea of gender and gender roles. The first piece is a spoken performance by Chimamanda Adichie, We Should All Be Feminists; the second piece is Bros Before Hos: The Guy Code by Michael Kimmel; and the last piece was A Powerful Poem About What It Feels Like to Be Transgender by Lee Mokobe. These three pieces all assemble into a puzzle that connect in order to highlight the gender and gender roles struggle in current day America.
By Makayla Richards7 years ago in Humans
We Need to Stop Asking People to Bring Us Things from Abroad
I'm lucky to have friends who rarely ask me to bring them stuff from abroad. Actually, I often ask them if there is anything that I could bring them from the States to make them happy. And the only thing they want is for me to come back and meet them. (I know, sweet and beautiful.)
By Anna Dvorakova7 years ago in Humans
A Hypothetical Letter to the Homeless
It's no coincidence that this letter ended up in your hands. It was meant to find you. It was written for you specifically. It's not the act of a self righteous person searching for a way to feel better about themselves. You're not just a Christmas task that I took on to justify my selfishness from January to November.
By Angel Perez7 years ago in Humans
I'm a Millennial
I'm going to go ahead and say it. I'm proud of my generation. Why do Millennials get so much criticism? I recently watched a video (This is Why You Don't Succeed—Simon Sinek on the Millennial Generation) and thought..."hmm, this guy seems to have some valid observations."
By Sara K7 years ago in Humans
Living Arrangements
Here are the basics. Imagine entertaining the idea of venturing out into the "real world" away from your parents to start your very own life at a young age.
By Kristen Cole7 years ago in Humans
An Introvert with Contradictions
I've always been an introvert. Being alone is what feels easy, what feels good. It's how I recharge depleted internal batteries. Yet I live in a society where extroversion is the expectation. People are supposed to be social creatures with large groups of friends who enjoy attending social functions. I'm not that person, and I've gotten to a point in my life where I no longer have any interest in pretending to be that person.
By Ashley L. Peterson7 years ago in Humans
Social Vs. Introvert
I used to hang out with people and did things just to fit in because I wanted people to like me. It was all a mask and an act I had to play. I only wished that people liked me for me and not what I could do for them or give them. Everyone took advantage of me because I let them. I did not want to be popular. I only wanted true friends who would have had my back or someone to hang out with.
By Brandi Payne7 years ago in Humans
Fishman Epilogue
I spent my twenty-fifth birthday in the cemetery. Drenched from the rain and heavy from burdens. Mum, Dad and my sister were only in their thirties when they died. Why did they have to die so young? I was blessed to have a loving family, even if it pleased God to take them away.
By Chloe Gilholy7 years ago in Humans
Our Friend, Harry
On the night of November 9, 1938, the Nazi regime began their reign of terror and violence over the Jews of Germany. Referred to as Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, many consider it the beginning of the Holocaust. On that night, the Nazis plundered thousands of Jewish businesses and synagogues, following which Nazi officers began arresting Jewish men to be sent to concentration camps.
By Toba Leverton7 years ago in Humans
What I Am Thankful For
Happy Thanksgiving! So as per Thanksgiving tradition I want to say what I am thankful for since I now have more than enough to be thankful for.
By Alix Nicole7 years ago in Humans