People often talk about a quarter-life crisis, which sets in when you’re around 25 years old. It is a difficult time - you’ve probably finished your studies, qualified to do something real, but find yourself in limbo. When we are children, we think of having everything sorted out by 25 - the great job, the house and a partner by your side. Even if you have one of these things by 25, it really doesn’t feel like you have achieved much. Nothing feels stable, and wow, is adulthood hard!
For some it’s continuously swiping on those dating apps, or going on endless dates where the other person doesn’t want to reveal much about themselves or seems to be constantly looking over your shoulder. For many, work is an all-consuming role and it doesn’t fulfill your passions at all. Home life is a series of disasters, from broken cookers to horrible landlords.
The consolation for this is that most of your friends are going through the same thing. When you do meet for drinks (on a budget) you should laugh it off and know this is just a phase. It’s all about living in the moment, no matter how trying it seems, you will one day clock it up to experience. Everything that is happening now will make you stronger. Although it may not feel like it, right now you have choices - you can take whatever path you choose and you still have time to fail and try again. Move cities or countries on a whim, what could go wrong?
When 25 more years pass, you will look back on this time with warmth. This time is before the monotony sets in, when every day is a simple routine. There are benefits to each part of life, so try and see the good in each day and realize that you still have your youth.
Some people say that life begins at 40, while others dread that big birthday. There’s no doubt that life changes in your 40s, it feels like your body behaves differently and you just don’t bounce back as easily as you used to. Sometimes it creeps up on you. However, there are serious benefits to getting over the big 4-0. Practically everyone has more money in their 40s than when they were younger, and feel more stable in their lives. With that said, there are some things that you should try and do before you turn 40. Number 1 on that list is camping. If you have never pitched a tent, slept in the great outdoors, and experienced the beauty of being so close to nature then it is a must-do. Why do we suggest that you do it before you’re 40? Mostly because a younger, able body finds it much, much easier. Sometimes when you go camping, nature doesn’t play nice and you may end up soaked to the bone or scorched out of your tent at dawn.
When you’re younger, it feels like part of the fun. As you grow older, those extra hours of sleep seem necessary so you may feel grumpy and miss out on the best parts.
So how should you go about this trip? It’s up to you! You can jump in the car with your loved one and kids, even bring the dog if you want to. You are likely to have a camping spot no further than 90 minutes from wherever you live. Alternatively, you can take off to Europe, get a rail pass and plan to camp in different spots across many different countries. It helps to be prepared though - get a good, warm sleeping bag, and a waterproof tent. Make sure you have a torch as it gets very dark in nature. A map is another must-have. You can add other luxuries if you like, but if you have to carry it all in a backpack, it might get heavy. This is a great trip to do with friends as you can look back at the memories you’ve made for years to come.