The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now

This book is just amazing. I kind of wish I could sit down with the author some day, but once I have finished the book, that may not even be needed.Even though I am in my late late 20s, I can still see much benefit in the book. The concept of identity capital is something I am finding very useful, and now that I understand it, it pops up in my mind when I am making career choices which is great. I feel it has enhanced and open up my mind, while at the same time making it easy for me to make choices, or at least to understand exactly what it is that I am trading/gaining when I choose one career option over another.It's also awesome that the author has actually counselled many young people like ourselves, and we get to see this often inside the book. While reading, I often feel like I am a third party looking at my own life and my own thought processes- that is how relatable the book is.This is the kind of book you would be eager to pass on once you have read it, but I bought it on kindle, so thankfully, I can keep it. Thank you so much Dr Meg for this contribution to the world.

This book has opened my eyes. It really gets you to think deeply about the decisions we're making day to day in our 20's and how those decisions affect the rest of our lives. The Author is like a loving parent who tells us what we need to hear in order to live the best life we can. Definitely worth reading. Goodluck to all my 20 somethings out there!

I read this in my early thirties and felt that a lot of the messages - about the rewards that come from sticking at difficult jobs, making commitments and generally acting like a grown-up even if you don't feel like one - were sensible and a good counterbalance to the messages you often get from misty-eyed old duffers/your mates/the telly about what being in your 20s 'should' be like.That said - I think the key word is counterbalance. Some of the messages might strike some young women as a bit idealistic. Yes, it's important to factor starting a family, if you want one, into your plans, but some people won't have that option for financial reasons or lack of partners who're ready to settle down.If you're in your 20s I'd say this is a great book to read as a spur to thinking about what kind of life you want in your 30s and beyond (and yep, I'm obliged to say it'll come sooner than you think) as long as you don't let it stress you out or make you think you should have a grand ten-year-plan (unless you want one, in which case, go for it).Feeling a bit lost and rubbish in your 20s is not unusual, and if anything this book will reassure you that you're not alone.

Came across this book as a recommendation from one of my favourite authors, Brianna Wiest, while listening to her podcast. Uncharacterically of me, I read this book in 2.5 days and was enthralled. I'm already seeing the impact of things I've learned, for example the Strength of Weak Ties. I imagine if you're a forward-thinking 20-something (I'm 22) who wants to make the most of their 20s, but in a way that will shape and support their future, this is a great book. This book is not trying to convince you to join in the rat-race, but it is a good asset for managing the path to 30 in an effective and conscious way, while still having a life you love.

I loved this book. I'm not a huge reader but it was a real page-turner. I have lent it to several people who have also loved it.

Meh. Well insightful, however made me even more depressed about my struggle of involuntary underemployment and non existing relationship.

Lots of guidance on how to navigate your way through your twenties and a confirmation of the universality of the quarter life crisis. I can understand that a lot of people don't want to be bombarded with the statement, 'DON'T WASTE YOUR 20'S!' but it's a perfectly relevant one, and in many ways the book has helped me to gain clarity and even better, to get moving! The book isn't for one second suggesting that your life will end when you hit thirty, but merely addressing that it's far better to be maintaining or remodelling a life in your future decades than starting one from scratch after having realized you have failed to take your first truly adult decade seriously. Personally I saw it as a supportive confirmation and a bit of an outside shove towards further action, rather than an abrasive confrontation. Great book.

Meg Jay’s The Defining Decade discusses what life is like in your twenties in regard to education, careers, relationships, and fertility. It’s very insightful and I’ve learnt a lot of new things, such as the odyssey years and amortality. It made me think, no wonder it’s so confusing being in your twenties nowadays, we have so many choices it can be overwhelming. I didn’t agree with some of it, like the patient who hated their job so much they couldn’t eat or sleep, but was encouraged to stick at it. I believe your health and wellbeing is more important than a job that would easily replace you if you died. Granted, this person stuck at it and it worked out, so maybe it’s just me being a naive twentysomething. It’s definitely made me think about things. I recommend this book, I highlighted a lot of quotes, took a lot of pictures of pages, made a lot of notes. It’s definitely insightful and helpful and makes you think about where you’re at and where you want to be. I think from a personal point of view, I’m left feeling satisfied after reading this book, as I feel like I am both enjoying my twenties but also using these years to work towards where I want to be in my thirties. ‘For hundreds of years, twentysomethings moved directly from being sons and daughters to being husbands and wives, but within just a few decades a new developmental period opened up. Waking up every day somewhere between their childhood homes and their own mortgages, twentysomethings like Kate weren’t sure what to make of the time.’

Definitivamente de mis libros favoritos. Disfrute mucho su lectura y me ayudó bastante a darme cuenta de áreas de mi vida que necesitan mejorar a mis 24 años y sobretodo de el cómo hacerlo. Lo recomiendo ampliamente, compraré más libros para regalarlos a mis conocidos.

A autora traz verdades (baseadas em seus estudos e atendimentos como psicóloga) relacionadas à vida profissional, amorosa e corpo.Não é um livro que deixa você feliz enquanto o lê. Pelo contrário, em alguns casos pode nos trazer preocupações, arrependimentos e ansiedade sobre escolhas que ainda precisamos fazer. Porém, é melhor termos o conhecimento para podermos agir agora (dentro da nossa realidade), do que não o termos.Apesar de não trazer só animação ao ler, o livro também tranquiliza ao nos instruir em relação a diversos assuntos. Ex: pode nos trazer mais clareza sobre quais tipos de emprego devemos procurar, sobre como devemos planejar nossa vida a fim de alcançarmos nossos objetivos, sobre como podemos escolher com mais consciência nossos relacionamentos, etc.Enfim, é um livro que pode não deixar você mais contente enquanto o lê. Porém, provavelmente pode fazer com que você tenha mais felicidade/sucesso no futuro do que teria sem a leitura deste.Breve resumo abaixo das três partes do livro:(o resumo não condiz necessariamente com a minha opinião em relação os assuntos trazidos)Vida profissional: O livro traz verdades e instrui sobre como podemos lidar com a nossa carreira. Ressalta a importância de construirmos nosso "capital de identidade" o quanto antes (trabalhos, estudos e atividades a ver com nossa área de atuação e que possam ser colocadas no nosso currículo). A autora também nos ajuda a organizarmos o pensamento sobre quais tipos de trabalhos devemos buscar e quais são as nossas opções. Ela traz que, se quisermos ter uma carreira de sucesso aos 30 e poucos, o momento de "plantarmos" é agora.Vida amorosa: a autora traz a importância de sermos também intencionais. Alerta que a pessoa que escolhemos nos envolver será parte da nossa família (ou a pessoa com quem será construída uma família). Além disso, também alerta sobre quando e como devemos fazer esta escolha.Corpo: um dos alertas da autora é sobre a ilusão passada na mídia em relação à idade para ter filhos. Segundo a autora, são noticiadas mulheres que engravidam aos 40, 50 e poucos anos e isso faz com que tenhamos a falsa crença de que é possível para todas. Porém, os dados da população em geral não são muito falados, os quais ressaltam que a chance de uma mulher engravidar naturalmente e conseguir manter a gravidez começa a reduzir após os 35 - o que não torna o processo impossível, mas pode dificultar em alguns casos.Obs: caso você tenha passado dos 20 e poucos (ou muitos), considere as mudanças que você pretende fazer a partir de agora, não se deixe desesperar. Aja nos pontos que considerar necessários, independentemente da sua idade!

I‘ve been loving this book, as it talks about the struggles people in their twenties have and it‘s actually relatable. It makes you feel like you‘re not alone with your problems!

Reading the book in early 20s makes it more meaningful. Its better to read this at 20 or 21. This book can eliminate distractions very early. Good one.

"The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now" di Meg Jay è un libro che consiglio a tutti i giovani adulti che si stanno avvicinando o si trovano già nella loro ventina.Il libro di Meg Jay si concentra sull'importanza della ventina come periodo di crescita e di costruzione del proprio futuro. L'autrice invita i lettori a non sottovalutare questo momento della vita e a non sprecarlo in attività frivole o in decisioni poco ponderate.Jay affronta molti dei problemi comuni tra i giovani adulti, come la difficoltà a trovare lavoro, a costruire relazioni significative e a decidere che cosa vogliono fare nella vita. L'autrice fornisce esempi concreti di persone che hanno affrontato questi problemi e offre consigli pratici per superarli.Ciò che apprezzo di questo libro è che l'autrice non offre soluzioni facili o scorciatoie, ma piuttosto sottolinea l'importanza del duro lavoro, dell'impegno e della perseveranza per raggiungere i propri obiettivi. Jay incoraggia i lettori a fare scelte coraggiose e a sperimentare cose nuove, perché solo così si può scoprire ciò che si vuole veramente nella vita.In sintesi, "The Defining Decade" di Meg Jay è un libro che consiglio vivamente ai giovani adulti. L'autrice offre una prospettiva stimolante e motivante sulla ventina, che può aiutare i lettori a trarre il massimo da questo periodo della vita e a costruire il loro futuro in modo più consapevole e gratificante.