20-Something, 20-Everything: A Quarter-life Woman's Guide to Balance and Direction [Paperback]

Christine Hassler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2005

Are you wrestling with a sense that you haven¹t done enough? Or you¹ve done it all and don¹t know what¹s next? If you¹ve ever wondered why you aren¹t enjoying the best years of your life, and why you¹re still mired in confusion about the choices you¹ve made or need to make, this book is for you.

Faced with a career she worked hard to achieve but didn¹t like and the disintegration of her relationship, author Christine Hassler started talking to other twenty-something women and discovered a pattern. Many women in their twenties (and thirties) feel unsettled and struggle to reassess their positions on what Christine calls the twenties triangle: Who am I? What do I want? How do I get it?

Throughout the book these questions become opportunities to identify and explore dreams and values. Rather than feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, readers can turn questions into maps that lead toward creating a career, a relationship and a life that fits just like a favorite pair of jeans.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Christine Hassler is a very honest and extremely wise woman. This wonderful book shows us how to transform fear and confusion into courage and wisdom. An inspiring and hopeful guide about knowing who you are and believing in yourself enough to go after your dreams. This generation is lucky to have such an authentic voice to offer guidance through this journey called life. I highly recommend it!" — Sandy Grason, author of Journalution

"Almost every woman I know (including me) has gone through a quarter-life crisis in her life so it’s important for young women to realize that they are not alone. This book will serve as a valuable resource for 20-something women to determine their weaknesses and strengths and then to apply those discoveries toward realizing their dreams in life." — Jane Buckingham, author of The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life

Timeless and insightful, 20-Something 20-Everything is a must read guide for women in their 20s to create inner balance and take responsibility for their life choices." — Tracy McWilliams, author of Dress to Express

"Christine Hassler has created a series of extremely valuable exercises to help women in their twenties evaluate their personal, financial and career choices. Whether you are a confused, frantic or amazingly satisfied 20-something woman, this book can help you to get on (or stay on!) the path to success." — Jennifer Todd, film producer for Austin Powers and If These Walls Could Talk

"Written straight from the heart of the author, this book invites you women to examine that which defines them. A wonderful guide, 20-Something, 20-Everything is filled with practical and uplifting direction."

— Sophie Parienti, editor in chief of Yogi Times

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; First Edition edition (April 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157731476X
• ISBN-13: 978-1577314769
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Self-Help > Spiritual
  • #46 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gender Studies
  • #64 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Women's Studies

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 96 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Reassuring Read July 14, 2005

By A. Hutchinson

Format: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.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My 20 Something Blueprint May 27, 2005

By Nicolina

Format: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!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Have! July 23, 2006

By A

Format: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!