That post about 30 year old coming of age stories?
I’ve been thinking about it all morning. What would the plot points be for that? What makes a 30 year old coming of age story?
Old folks sound off in the comments
A few ideas:
Burying a parent that never encouraged independence
Acknowledging a trauma you've spent your life ignoring
Finally opening yourself up to a truly mutual, non-transactional relationship (platonic or romantic)
Leaving a community (religious or otherwise) that has kept you from growing
Obtaining a diagnosis for a health condition (mental or physical) and finally getting treatment and recontextualizing your life.
Student loan forgiveness kicking in, suddenly you can afford to live. That one small change snowballs into something big.
Starting over after the end of The Big Relationship you thought would define your life. Engaging in a new hobby/social group that adds context to how small life felt in that relationship.
You find yourself with a pet you have to care for, which teaches you to care for yourself.
You take a class somewhere that unlocks skills you didn't know you had.
In limbo between leaving the job that used your degree and finding the job you know you actually want—either your "calling" or something that pays well, is low-stress, and you will be treated well.
You've settled the wild and restless needs of your youth, as well as the mistakes you made or opportunities you missed, and you realize the first 30yrs were training wheels. Your real life is just starting.
