Lately I have been struggling with the complexity of my life. My mind is occupied with my aging parents in Brazil, my son in his first semester in college, starting a new business; it all can be overwhelming at times. I have longed for the simple, uncomplicated days of yesteryear where there was freedom and opportunity. Well, that was until I started to think more clearly about the good ol’ days. Once I woke up from my glamorized stroll down memory lane, here’s what I really gave up:
I had $25 dollars left to my name during at the end of my freshman year of college. I certainly would not want to relive that.
I didn’t own a car until after I graduated from college. How in the world did I get around?
I was cleaning toilets my second week of school. Then I washed dishes for another year. I didn’t wise up and got a library job until half way through my sophomore year.
I lived in an apartment the size of my current bathroom after graduating from college. Ok, I just measured, my bathroom is actually bigger, and that doesn’t even count the closet.
I had a budget $20 per week worth of groceries in my early 20’s. If I managed my money well, I would have $3 left by Friday so I could get a Big Top burger. Thankfully I knew how to cook so I ate better than my friends who survived on Ramen noodles and Spam. I would not want to relive that season either.
At age 22 I opened a checking account and took out $30. The banker jokingly said, “big weekend plans, huh?” Sadly, she was right. I had huge weekend plans for that kind of money
I commuted for nearly 2 hours every time I drove to work.
I could hear the sexual escapades of my next-door neighbor through the paper-thin walls of my tiny apartment. “Hey, I’m trying to have a Bible study here!”
While my life is complicated, it’s a good one. And no, I wouldn’t trade it for my 20-something self. Now if I could keep the learning, experience and wisdom I’ve gotten so far AND get my 25 year-old body back, well that’s a deal I wouldn’t refuse.
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