Happy birthday Jenny! I’m 41 and just had my first baby. Just want to say to everyone who doesn’t want kids, it’s also ok to change your mind at any point. Or don’t! Definitely don’t feel pressured to have kids at all, but if you do hit 40 and change your mind, that’s ok too! Xx
Very common for women to have kids 40-45 years old now adays. I think its good to enjoy your life and learn about life before taking responsibility for another life.
Happy birthday, Jenny! About adulthood being a myth - I totally agree! I have grown-up children, and during my early days of being a parent I thought "I must be an adult now", but no, I still don't feel like a grown-up. I guess I'm doing something right ;) I love your videos, and love your brave approach to life. :)
Losing my father definitely made me feel more adult. Some part of my inner child just died with him. And also birth of my son made me feel both more and less adult. There's obviously responsibility, but also doing all the kid stuff with him makes you feel like one again :)
I am 27 and only have one 7 month old baby so might not be the best example...but we have the whole mortgage and all those adult responsibilities yet I still feel like I am a 17 year old trying to find my way in the world. My husband always says he never plans to grow up, haha (in a good way like that he wants to play with Lego and watch Saturday morning cartoons). I have been struggling with reaching my late 20’s and feeling behind on life. I just finished my first year of university and everyone there is so much younger! But I always appreciate your take on aging and it’s a good reminder that I don’t need to keep up with anyone else. I actually hope to write books one day too so I was so excited to hear that you wrote one and got published! I look forward to reading it 💕
oh erika this was so lovely to read, thanks for sharing this!! and YES getting out of that societal deadline nonsense is one of the most freeing things ever 💛 lots of love to you and your fam x
You're not behind on anything - you are a new mother AND studying, that's incredible! Lots of your peers won't be in this phase of life for another 10 years, and you'll be out of the very intense years of parenthood. There are many benefits to becoming a parent young if that's what you want, you'll have much more energy for one, and as your career or writing or whatever you want to do kicks off, it's likely your child/ren will be by then in school or childcare, giving you much more freedom. You have lots and lots of time- so many people are chasing what you have, and though there's so many ways to live life, you've got your shit together on a few fronts
The good thing about going to university later is you'll appreciate it more, learn more, and be able to apply it better because you have some idea of where you're doing and what you want to do. I'm 30 and if I could go back and get my bachelor's again, I'd definitely do it different. But we can't change the past, only learn from it. Professors might take you more seriously because you're not 18 lol. Jobs will too.
Key to happiness: never take any tiny detail in life for granted. Walking in your local park, safety, affording groceries! It brings such boost of energy to my everyday life!
I am 37 and don't have or want kids. And I am feeling like I can do what I want, but that is something that should belong to adulthood I think! Make your own life choices and don't care about what others think. In my heart I feel the same as I used to, so feeling young does apply to me I guess 😊
After 40 I felt I was becoming wiser, I found both important questions but also answers about myself and life. But I also found out how little you know, how people stay the same and that you actually are free to just live your life. I believe adulthood is a myth!
I've never understood people who "get embarrassed by how they dress in high school/as a young adult". I went through so many styles back then (and am still going through style changes now) and can't imagine ever being embarrassed about outwardly expressing myself at any stage of life. And damn, do I miss some of those periods of dress.
Im 52 .. never wanted kids .. ended up adopting a daughter at 37... Still dont feel fully " grown" even w all the responsibilities, its strange trying to raise a child while still feeling like a child myself.. doesn't help that i had to move back into my childhood home to care fort elderly mom.. every day is an adventure... Happy Birthday! Congratulations on your book! All the best!!! 🎉💯!!!
I don't have kids either but I also feel like adulthood is a myth. When I look at my parents now being 31, I feel like they have no idea about anything either LOL they're just going with the flow and trying their best. Happy birthday and I will try to pre-order the book soon ☺
Happy birthday, dear Jenny! I loved this video, so many little pearls of wisdom! I am also convinced that adulthood is a myth. I am almost 28, I have two cats and I am getting married with my boyfriend of ten years, and I still don't feel like an adult. I have been a teacher for four years now, and every time a student comes to me with a problem, a little voice in my mind asks: 'Shouldn't you ask an adult?', only to realise: 'Oh wait, that's me!'
"Mistakes are a good thing, you'll need them later for your memoire" is what I'm gonna tell my nieces and nephews from now on. Such great life advice XD
Happy Birthday Jenny! I found this video both very relatable and insightful. Having just turned 30 this year, and coming up on a year as an assistant manager, I still do not at all feel like an adult. I completely agree about making mistakes. I did the whole get married and start to settle down thing and that absolutely did not work out. So at 27 I quit my job, packed up a car load, and moved to the city. Now I live with my (also single) best friend in a fun decorated house with our cat and I couldn't be happier. My marriage was a massive mistake, and horribly painful, but I wouldn't be where I am (or who I am) without it!
Well, “massive mistake” or not, it was very insightful to leave it and to have the maturity to move on. You have some courage! Your current life sounds so good. I think you’re on to something 😊
I am 47 and married / no kids (ever) and I DO feel like an adult, but only to some extent. I love that, personally. I know this could change at any time but the biggest thing that feels less adult to me is all my peers have so many health issues that I do not have. I'm extremely energetic and hyper so even with laugh lines and grey hair coming in people often think I'm in my 30s. Not a brag, but my experience. I don't know how much of it is being childfree but I also have that feeling Jenny mentions of being mildly surprised and grateful at how stable and happy my life is.
Happy Birthday Jenny! Wishing you all the best in the coming year! I am a 50 year old mother of 2 teenagers who also has a mortgage and I don't totally feel like a grown-up either.
You're so inspirational, Jenny - I just love those non-judgmental vibes you radiate! I feel like with time, I get way mellower, but sometimes I still am a little too harsh on myself, and this video worked as a great reminder not to 🙃 And oh, happy birthday, of course - we all love you, keep on shining! 💛
Happy Birthday Jenny! My birthday is next week. I loved the fact that my favourite youtubers were born in May. I found out long after I had subscribed and i was like.......damn I knew this is an earthy taurean vibe
I'm 28, and I have felt like an adult for a while now. I don't have kids, but my parents, who also partially rely on me financially, are far less adapted and successful in the modern world than I am. So it makes me feel more adult than them.
Happy birthday, Jenny! So glad you´re around! Your videos enrich my life! :) About feeling like an adult: in my thirties I already had three kids and a mortgage and was still not feeling like an adult... Seven years ago I fell very seriously ill and it wasn´t until then that I fully realized what being an adult meant: taking 100 percent responsibility for your life - your relationships, your health, your everything... I´m still learning, but at least I know the goal now... ;) - I and I have fully recovered by really looking after my mind and body... :) And: Im sooo much looking forward to having grandchildren and doing A LOT of silly things with them as being an adult definitely does not mean that you forget how to have fun... ;) Wishing you all the best and a wonderful day tomorrow!
Solid advice!! I CANNOT wait to receive your book!! I have a feeling that it will be, and remain, one of my all time favourite books 😊 Wishing you a happy birthday from Canada 🥳🎂
Jenny, I don’t know what you’re doing, but you are one of the coolest and most stylish people that I know of on RU-vid. I really appreciate you bestowing your knowledge and experience into us. I look up to you a lot and I am thankful for you and your husbands videos. From the bottom of my heart, happy birthday and many more
Happy birthday, Jenny! My birthday is a couple of days away, and your video is so well timed. Im turning 29 and frankly got my notebook and pen down as soon as I saw your video title. Of course not all your tips apply for me, because I'm a lawyer, but I can adapt your principles very easily. Thank you and David for all the hard work you put into your videos here.
Happy birthday gorgeous! Tbh I needed this advice today, I remember embracing a few phases that have come and gone but experimenting has helped me learn to like and be true to myself ❤
Happy birthday Jenny! I love your “adulthood is a myth” theory! I’m 43 with a 5-year old daughter and I wonder if I ever will feel “adult”. However l think that is part of one’s personality, cos I have friends who have felt adult since being much younger……. But hurray for never feeling adult! I love these people!
Happy birthday beautiful Jenny, you are such an inspirational simple and complex woman, all in one, just love to follow you here, on insta and also the podcast, looking forward to get your book, have a happy happy birthday :*
You are always cool!! Loved your list. I always state that while friendships take two people to function well, it takes one person to actually make it last. I am the friend that reaches out and keeps in touch the most with people over time and my friends are glad I do that. It is how I have been able to maintain close friendships for 20-30+ years (I'm 39). I mean I have children, but I started dating my husband at 16 and sometimes still feel like we are teens with one another, even though we have a sixteen year old now. I feel young still! I think it is important to be wise but keep your childlike feeling. I will climb trees and catch frogs still and such. I am youthful! Happy birthday by the way!!!
I'm 49 and i feel much more younger than my daughter who is 14,she is so strict and conformist and me,I've just opened my own youtube page.And yes,I am a teacher in a high school and have lots of responsabilities and yet....i don't feel older than 16😊
Happy birthday!!! I'm 30, and no, I don't feel like an adult. My career after college never really took off, but I got a mortgage, a husband, a dog, vehicles and a yard I have to take care of, bills, grocery shopping, calling companies to make sure I'm not being overcharged, etc.... And I still feel 17 in a lot of ways, maybe 19... Lol but I'm clearly not. Idk if I'll ever feel like an adult or want kids. I have names picked out that I'd like to use "some day" but "some day" probably wont come. I never feel more ready to have kids. I never feel financially stable because SOMETHING always comes up or needs to be fixed... And I dont want to carry a child... Maybe some day we'll adopt.
I feel more adult when I have medical insurance, count my monthly expenses and plan my passive incomes. I'm childfree and have no pets nor plants cause I'm travelling. But I still like to have child-spirit such as eat chocolate cereal as my breakfast on my bed whilst watching some cartoons. I love to balance of being an adult and being a child, I feel more content.
Happy birthday 🎉 Well said ! I loved your style phasee and been watching you since light eyebrows era. Making mistakes is key and not staying in unhealthy relationships is important advice to remember. Having kids certainly make you bit older as responsibly becomes more and taking care of another human make us less selfish and very generous ❤ much love from sydney Australia
Brava, Jenny! And the very happiest of birthdays to you! This video is brilliant. I agree with everything you‘ve said here, and I love your intelligent carefree attitudes. As you know, I am also a vegan, and I‘m childless by choice. I reckon you may be right about the mindset changes of parents. Luckily, if one has a furry or feathered child, that doesn‘t happen! I also feel it‘s always the right time to leap into a new life, or a new chapter. Right now, I‘m becoming the me I have always wanted to be. I have to remind myself to not fret over things I never even thought about when I was a teenager, but I‘m determined to not become jaded. It‘s all about perceptions.
Happiest bday! I realy love listening to your voice and learning things from your page. Thanks for helping me feel better, and for inspire me to eat less animal food!
The no eyebrows and hair color was fking cool...Loved it...Congratulations!! Oh and myth YEP Adulthood is...(Just read a book about a 15 yr old taking care of her 8,11 and 7 yr old siblings-any who they made it through) was she an adult at 15?
Some phases are developmental. I think it's hard to 'want' children knowing how much work is involved, one will never know the joy of having children unless one goes through the biological changes. So the best way is not to exclude the motherhood phase.
