20 Something Manifesto. Christine Hassler

      PRAISE FOR 20 SOMETHING MANIFESTO

      “20 Something Manifesto gives voice to the aspirations, expectations, confusion, and self-doubt of a generation. Christine Hassler goes deeper than the quick fix. She pushes, prods, nudges, and guides her readers to create their own road map. Offering information and inspiration in equal measure, Hassler provides tools for twenty somethings to chart an effective, fulfilling, and meaningful life journey all their own.”

      — Willow Bay, senior editor of the Huffington Post and

      author of Talking to Your Kids in Tough Times

      “20 Something Manifesto is a great read for twenty somethings seeking honest answers to life’s challenging questions. Christine approaches this journey of self-discovery and personal awareness in a way that is inspiring, comforting, and actionable. She brings to life emotions and feelings that will strike a chord with twenty somethings from all backgrounds. I strongly recommend this book.”

      — Jason Ryan Dorsey, Gen Y consultant and author of

      My Reality Check Bounced!

      “The stories in 20 Something Manifesto are inspiring, helpful, and deeply genuine. Christine Hassler is the perfect tour guide to take readers through the ups and downs of twenty-something life. She provides support, companionship, and tangible tools readers can use to create their own road map for a productive, fulfilling, and meaningful adult life. I wish I had Christine as a resource when I was in my twenties!”

      — Lindsey Pollak, author of Getting from College to Career:90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World

      “In her successful career as an author and life coach, Christine Hassler demonstrates a true gift — the ability to inspire twenty somethings to take stock of where they are and take the steps to become the people they want to be. Reading 20 Something Manifesto feels warm and intimate, like sitting around a fire late at night and chatting with your closest friends.”

      — Alexandra Levit, author of They Don’t Teach Corporate inCollege and How’d You Score That Gig?

      “A great exploration into what it means to have one foot in childhood and one in so-called adulthood. As the average life span increases, technology advances, and the world spins ever faster, finding one’s voice is a bigger challenge amid the cacophony of advertising, the internet, and reality TV. Christine Hassler ‘gets it’ that identity is a multifaceted, evolving process. With irreverent humor, heartfelt honesty, and deep poignancy, 20 Something Manifesto is a wonderful guide for the quarter-lifers who ask at every turn ‘Who am I now?’ and ‘Who am I becoming?’”

      — Courtney A. Walsh, author of

      Lipstick and Thongs in the Loony Bin

20 SOMETHING

      20 SOMETHING

      MANIFESTO

      Quarter-Lifers Speak Out about Who They Are,

      What They Want, and How to Get It

       CHRISTINE HASSLER

New World Library Novato, California

      New World Library

      14 Pamaron Way

      Novato, California 94949

      Copyright © 2008 by Christine Hassler

      All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, or other — without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

      Expectation Hangover^™ is a registered trademark of Christine Hassler.

      The material in this book is intended for educational purposes only. No expressed or implied guarantee as to the effects of the use of the recommendations can be given nor liability taken.

      Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Hassler, Christine.

      Twenty-something manifesto : quarter-lifers speak out about who they are, what

      they want, and how to get it / [compiled and edited by] Christine Hassler.

      p. cm.

      Includes index.

      ISBN 978-1-57731-595-7 (pbk. : alk. paper)

      1. Young adults—Conduct of life. 2. Young adults—Life skills guides.

      I. Title.

HQ799.5.H37 2008
646.70084’2—dc22	2007044159

      First printing, February 2008

      ISBN: 978-1-57731-595-7

      Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

      New World Library is a proud member of the Green Press Initiative.

      10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

This manifesto is dedicated to everyone on their twenty-something journey. May your path be blessed with self-discovery, insight, and joy.

      CONTENTS

       List of Exercises

       Preface

       Introduction

       PART ONE TWENTY SOMETHING IS TWENTY EVERYTHING

       Chapter One. Your Twenty-Something Journey

       “Confusion and Anxiousness” by Kaitlin

       “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” by Jennifer

       “The Blessed Miserable Generation” by Julie

       “Where’s My Corner Office?” by Patrick

       “Bubble of Invincibility” by Diane

       “Cruise Control” by Paul

       “Complacency” by Luke

       Chapter Two. Expectation Hangovers

       “Compare, Regret, and Panic!” by Erin

       “Detour”