The Defining Decade

The Defining Decade puts emphasis on the most productive and

an important time of our lives: our twenties. Dr Meg Jay, an

assistant clinical professor at the University of Virginia, puts

forth her arguments on how to get the most out of our twenties

and stop believing in the “thirties are the new twenties”

phenomena.

The Big Takeaways:

1. We have to learn to value not only our career but our

relationships in our twenties.

1. If Career counselling is always abundant in our

twenties, but not so much for relationships. Young

adults must decide carefully and value

relationships made in their twenties.

2. The jobs which young adults choose in their twenties

will affect their long-term pay scale.

1. To avoid mid-life crises in their thirties

and forties, young adults should wisely choose a

career in their 20s. The sooner, the better.

3. Keeping young adults in their twenties from the danger

of “too many options” is key.

1. It is unwise to load a raw mind with the false

the notion of doing anything they can in their 20s.

This will leave them overwhelmed, possibly not

attempting anything at all.

4. Use dating in your twenties to find a valuable partner

with endearing qualities, not just to have fun.

1. Dating relationships are for temporary

associations and will not give you the serious and

long-term happiness you will need later in life.

5. Our brain fully matures between our twenties and

the thirties.

1. Our twenties are the best time to practice serious

objectives in life. This is because when our brain

matures fully by our thirties, it will be easier

for us to lead a measured life.