Because there are few things in this world more frustratingly difficult than being a 20-something looking for a job or a date.
Knowing yourself
When it comes to career paths and significant others, it’s important to know what we want and ideally what we’re looking for. Can’t stand the average 9-5 grind, or hate people who smack when they chew? Either way, you’re one step closer to knowing what is going to make you the happiest and provide the most benefits.
Selling yourself
As millennials, we live in the place between the perfect balance of appearing professional yet personable. Whether it’s LinkedIn or Tinder, you’re guaranteed to spend countless hours looking for the perfect profile photo and just the right words to sell your brand.
Beating yourself up
There seems to be an endless black hole where most job applications (and sadly messages to potential soulmates) go to rot in premature death. Your mind and body are on an endless loop of obsessively updating your information and checking your phone even though absolutely nothing has changed in the past few hours. Newsflash: It’s not you, it’s them.
Preparing yourself
So you finally did it. You traded the endless stream of virtual communication for the ever-so-coveted face-to-face interaction. The hardest part is over, but that doesn’t stop you from aggressively stressing over finding the perfect outfit or continually practicing your dialogue and facial expressions in the mirror. When preparing for an interview/date we’re hopelessly bound to drive ourselves crazy over things that are unfortunately out of our control.
Presenting yourself
You’re obnoxiously early and somehow you’ve already sweated through your top layer, all the while convincing yourself that the voice in your head telling you how ridiculously awesome you are isn’t lying and is actually keeping you calm. You swear on your student loans that you’ve never been more nervous in your entire life. As they sit across from you, well-dressed and smiling, you take a deep breath and focus — it’s game time.
Treating yourself
You completely blanked when they asked what your five-year plan looks like, and to be honest you’re 22 without a single idea. They claimed to be open-minded and super into the same music as you, but in reality, Kendrick Lamar’s new album and Beyoncé’s new single make them uncomfortable. Things very seldom turn out how we plan them and starting over from square one is truly never easy, but luckily there’s an abundance of ice cream, Netflix and wine to ease the sting of rejection.
Believing in yourself
No matter how many HR reps you speak to or how many free dinners and movies you attend, nothing and no one seems to be sticking. You just can’t seem to get it right. However, the best news is you’re still here and you’ve made it this far. There’s a reason why everyone else wasn’t quite a match — there’s still someone out there for you. When you keep looking you often find that where you are and where you’re going is exactly where you’re supposed to be.
