Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!

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!

I thought that the book was great. It gave me instight to my current life and where it was heading. I loved how the book made me journal my thoughts and made me reflect on past and current decisions that I have made. I didn't tell me what I should do or how I should do it. I made me think what I have done and how I can change my future. I am in my late 20's and had some questions about where my life was headed and this book made me face those issues and move twards that destiny that I wanted.

I greatly enjoyed this book because I came across it at a time when I too was feeling the pressure of the twenty something questions: career, finances, relationships, life direction. The book shares many personal stories that make you realize that you are not alone in what you are experiencing and that the best thing to do is to take one day at a time. In time, you will figure out what is right for you as the unique individual that you are.

This book is full of wisdom that every women should take to heart. I think Christine Hassler has written a very insightful book about what so many of us have gone through, but until now so few of us have talked about - the "twenty-something" crisis. A definite must read!

The title can potentially make you wonder if you fall into "this category" but this book is a heartfelt, easy to relate to, quick read. It is full of insights that can help you ask questions of yourself and feel understood. I highly recommend you take time to read the book. It helps shed light on many familiar situations in relationships, communication, and the way we connect to people. It will certainly touch you and maybe even inspire you to start making a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. Also it is a great gift for men to "get" us women and for women in our lives to see the questions or thoughts we struggle with.
Have fun!
mz

I like that you don't have to read this book straight through...you can skip around and read the parts that you need at that time. I am 24 and I only wish I would've read this book before getting married and having children!

If you are at a point in your life where you feel lost...this is the book for you. Although, it is very time consuming, it is well worth it. I took this book and a note pad...answered every question and did every excercise. This book will take you on a self-discovery path that is sure to help!

I am a twenty-something who happened to find this book at Barnes and Noble one evening. I rarely purchase books, but this one looked interesting and I hoped it would address a lot of things I was going through at the time. This is a phenomenal read and I recommend it to every twenty-something I meet. It's my go-to gift book for all my friends, and I expect to read it at regular intervals for new insight and more underlining. If you're going to buy anything, this book is a MUST.