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67 of 67 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Reassuring Read, July 14, 2005
This review is from: 20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction (Paperback)
When I was in high school, I was convinced that my life was Utterly and Complete Over if I hadn't finished college and moved out by twenty one and found the Ultimate Love of my Life by twenty-four, and become powerful and successful by twenty-eight
I picked this up recently, on the eve of my twenty-fifth birthday. I'm a college senior (life required me to take a little longer getting through college) looking at three more long years of schooling (and a small bankworth of debt) before I could embark on my chosen career in the law. I'd had one relationship that ended terriably, and while my current relationship is going much better, after ten months my mother had already begun to put a lot of pressure on me about it (which was counterproductive). Turning twenty five was giving me panic attacks and I thought there was something seriously wrong with me.
Nothing, as it turns out, remotely so serious and this book has been very helpful in working through what I want, what I think, what to do with all the expectations the world and I have put on myself. It has a lot of journaling exercises, which I like, although the early chapters of the book are so crammed through with them that, since I like to read and work in the order presented, had me reading a page and a half, then spending half an hour doing a journal exercise, then reading a page and a half, then doing ANOTHER journal exercise...it sort of broke up my thought process while I was reading, and I'd have given the book a full five stars if it had the exercises laid out more sensibly, say, giving you a few to work on between chapters instead of hitting you with one so frequently in the early going. I really recommend reading each chapter (they're short enough) twice--once to read it straight through, and once to read it and do the exercises.
It made me think a lot about how I relate to other people and the world around me, which I found helpful. I carry a lot of anger at other women, my relationship with my mother being stormy to say the least, and I credit this book with helping me realise that (and also how I was starting to mimic her in some ways), and start to come to terms with it, and feel kinder towards myself and others. For me, it was the right book, at the right time.
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My 20 Something Blueprint, May 27, 2005
This review is from: 20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction (Paperback)
It's a little difficult to think you'd need a guide for your twenties when these are the years you're suppose to be lost and exploring your way through life. But as a twenty something woman today, in these times, the pressure to have it all--now, can be overwhelming, especially since there are more options for woman today than ever before. It was easier before during periods of domesticity, WWII, the 50's ...society decided the roles of women, but today it's a "do-whatever-you-want" society. Unfortunately, too many choices have left some of us screaming, "I don't know what I want!"
I decided to pick this book up, not because I thought I needed some direction, but because I was curious. I needed to know I wasn't being dramatic or whiny; I needed to know other woman were feeling this confused and frustrated- even after having it all. I read the first chapter and I couldn't put it down...it was my story, along with many, many other women!
With this book I surprisingly found myself asking questions I'd never asked myself before; I rediscovered a new me; I realized I needed to relax and allow myself to just be okay with not making major life decisions-today. I gained some peace with my twenties.
I highly recommend this book for all woman to buy, keep by their bedside and give themselves a few minutes to read everyday...I guarantee a better night's sleep!
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have!, July 23, 2006
This review is from: 20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction (Paperback)
As a woman in my 20's, every line of this book was relevant and meaningful for me. (and it made me feel much better knowing that I was not the only person having these feelings!) In a very genuine fashion, Hassler discusses the frustrations, difficulties, and realities that suddenly surface during our 20's. Through exercises and insightful advice, Hassler really forces you to look at situations from a different perspective and to focus on the 3 essential questions: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get it?. After going through those three questions ("the Twenties triangle"), she explores different areas to build a secure foundation (independence, self security, financial security, love, and work) This book constantly leaves you with a true desire to reflect on your past, present, and future... and make appropriate actions to improve. It's difficult to put down because I really felt each paragraph was so incredibly helpful. As a result, I went through it pretty fast the first time - now I'm going to go through it a second time and really go through the exericeses and give myself more time for reflection/action. Absolutely a brilliant book. Perfect gift for you or close friends in the 20's!
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