The British Berliner
A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
10 things to do RIGHT NOW instead of getting all upset about that post: “23 things to do instead of getting engaged before you’re 23!”
OK everyone, I know I promised you a write-up on my second award but there’s a post that has recently been going around the internet and I just couldn’t resist. If you haven’t seen it, where have you been?
The post is called 23 things to do instead of getting engaged before you’re 23 and that post has gone viral so it must have touched a nerve. It also got quite a bashing from thousands of people and their cat, lots of people heated and up in arms. All putting forward their opinion as the young writer was young, female and American….
One lady counter-wrote My first blog: the result of a close minded 23-year-old, another lady wrote 24 things to do instead of getting married before you’re 24: a response. Or this one don’t tell me what to do, and another still, 23 things NOT to do before you get engaged (or ever)!
My goodness. If we were in the Middle Ages, the writer (Vanessa), would have been dragged by her hair and burnt at the stake!
But what did she write about? Basically, she said: live a little! Other people read it as against marriage, love, people and life.
It’s a good article, well written, and got people thinking, and isn’t that what writing is about?
Ah well, I might as well get on the bandwagon. Why not?
So, here goes:
Here are my 10 things to do RIGHT NOW instead of getting all upset!
1. Read my blog: Most specifically, my inspiration posts. Stop worrying about other people and get out there and do stuff!
2. Write your own blog: For goodness sake, if you don’t like what you’re reading, get online and write your own blog instead of bashing somebody else’s. The world is so huge and there is room for all of us to have “a voice.”
3. Leave the country and then come back: Travel widens your perspective and gives you another view of the world. It can also make you either leave your homeland forever or appreciate it all the more.
4. Learn another language: Thank goodness I speak German as well as my native English. I also understand very basic Czech and Polish. Very basic. I can also get by when I read a bit of Dutch. What languages do YOU speak, understand or can get away with? Get a move on!
5. Take up a new hobby: It’s a New Year. Learn to paint, sing, cook, play an instrument or simply make something with your own hands.
6. Go back to school: Update your skills and knowledge. The world is turning. Don’t get left behind. If you’ve got a Bachelors, get a Masters. if you’ve got a Masters then there’s nothing stopping you from getting a Doctorate. If you’re not that skilled or versed in something, go to a class and improve. Get better. Get skilled.
7. Read a book: Read a real book. A book that smells and has pages made of paper. I have a kindle and an iPhone but I still believe that real books have value as do the bookshops that sell them. Read whatever book you like. Fantasy or Non-Fiction. Poetry or Historical. Just keep reading.
8. Switch off: For a day, a week, a month. Switch off your phone, laptop, computer, video, game console, or TV. Learn to wake up, smell the roses, go for a walk and talk to people physically in front of you.
9. Hug a random stranger then walk away: If David Cameron (the British Prime Minister) can “hug a hoodie” so can you. O.K. perhaps not a hooded thug, but someone that you see who would probably appreciate the warmth acknowledgment of “you’re not alone in this world.”
10. Explore your sexuality: There I said it. SEX. If you’re an adult. Yes. You. Can!
One last point:
I can really see why that post hit a nerve and got lots of people very upset but I’m not 23, far from it. I’m what you call an older mother or in Britain, a “yummy mummy.” I love my husband. I’m happily married, and I like being a professional mother and career woman.
I personally wouldn’t encourage or advocate young women to settle down early, but you know what, I’m not the Prime-Minister, so it doesn’t matter what I think!
We can all choose our lifestyle.
I live in Germany. There is plenty for young women to do or not to do, BUT our mothers fought for our right to CHOOSE. In that wise, if anyone. ANYONE, male or female, decide to “settle” or “settle down,” that’s their choice too. There are many advantages to living in Europe.
We’re liberal.
We can choose without eyebrows raising.
We can marry or not marry.
Be single or in a relationship.
Be committed or be free-loving.
Have a lover or have a million lovers.
Be gay, straight, bi-sexual or transsexual.
Have children or have none.
And isn’t that the point?
CHOICE.
Have your say!
What do you think? How about writing your own blog? Which point do you like best?
See you in Berlin.
21 Comments on “10 things to do RIGHT NOW instead of getting all upset about that post: “23 things to do instead of getting engaged before you’re 23!””
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Great ideas! I honestly haven’t read the blog post that got everyone riled, I probably should, But I tend to be a non-conformist and if too many people are talking about it, I stay away from it, until it’s old news. I like your list though, so i think I will stay with yours. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much and Thank YOU for reading!
That post really got everybody pulling their hair out but if you stick with my version, I’ll be very happy LOL!
‘Hope you’re well n’ all?
Great post! It sure is a touchy subject. Personally, I don’t think people should get engaged/married at that young an age. In America it seems most end up divorced. It’s too young and people need to explore, grow, and experience life first. They are still maturing at that age. Live life as a single person first before you move on to marriage.
Agreed!
Grow up a little. Do some other things. Get a life. Or not. Most people are going to be on this earth for a long time yet…!
I’m just so glad that I was able to make MY own life choices. When I wanted to make them and how I wanted to make them. Lucky, lucky me!
OMG YES. Whatever, touchy subject or not, what’s the big deal? People SHOULD live a little before setting off and getting married. I mean, we can’t ignore the divorce rates people… Would it hurt to wait a bit longer and do a few things before settling down? Seems like a smart idea to me 🙂
Absolutely. I mean huh! 🙂 There are so many other things to do!
Thank you so much for reading and writing a comment. I’m sure the topic of marriage and love will never go away as we’re all human. It’s only that nagging question of who is right and who is wrong that is causing people to get so upset.
Love this post. So inspiring. I’m already 25 and still travelling the world. I never though of things I would have changed or done before turning 23. I guess it’s too late, but I live my life with no regrets and that’s what matter, right? 🙂
Thank you so much Agness. That’s really sweet of you. You’re an inspiration to many people double your age so no feeling sorry for yourself! You’re doing a fantastic job so carry on doing what you’re doing.
I’ve seen your blog and website and many people would agree that at 25 you and Cez are doing or have already done, many of the things on my post! 🙂
Excellent post, Victoria 😉 Very well said! I am 33 and happy to be living my life in the present moment, enjoying each day. I have been single since 2009 and I certainly don’t worry about finding a husband!
Thank you so much Christin. Surely, you’ve proved to all, and mostly to yourself, that you’re a fascinating, strong, independent woman 🙂
Whoever, you meet in the future, will be soooo lucky to have you!
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Hug a hoodie? Well…that’s something new and interesting! In Russia it will absolutely get you shanked 🙂 Other than that, I’ve got a lot of those things on your list down!
Absolutely! I mean if it’s good enough for the British Prime Minister, it’s good enough for me!
Very glad you’re getting out there and doing things Anna 🙂
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