If you are 27, approaching it or just gone over the barrier, chances are your life has been less than peachy-keen lately. Relationship troubles, career uncertainty and perceived lack of achievement are all common complaints during this year. Ever heard of the Forever 27 Club? It refers to an abnormally large number of people who died, sometimes under mysterious circumstances, at the age 27. Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain all crossed over into the other dimension when they were 27. Heck, even the Elephant Man didn’t live to see his 28th birthday!
On the tail end of my own 27, I decided to do some investigating. What makes this seemingly unoffensive number so difficult? Why do things tend to fall apart? Most importantly: is there a light at the end of the 27 tunnel?
Perhaps, 27 is the peak of the Quarter Life Crisis – a period ranging from mid 20s to the early 30s, prompted by the major changes of adolescence. When we envision ourselves as adults, we picture ourselves as content, confident and accomplished human beings. But by the time 27 rolls around, most people can’t help but feel a little disappointed: your job still sucks, you have a resume full of failed relationships, and everyone – including Allison Peters whose only interest during class was drawing squiggles in the back – seems to be doing better than you. How did you get here?
It could be that being young & restless, you had set your goals a bit too high, in a time frame a tad too rigid. You wanted to do X,Y and Z by 25, but ended up boggled down by the responsibility and cost of adult living. I am certainly no stranger to this debacle. In my early 20s, I had big plans for becoming a rock star – platinum record on the wall & a Grammy behind my belt – all by the magical age of 25. I was so certain it was going to happen that I’d built my entire life around it – my work experience, attitude, even my wardrobe all reflected that. I had no idea that succeeding in my field required more than just a passion for music and had underestimated the time it takes to achieve my goals by half. As a result, the only thing I got for my 25th birthday was a basket full of broken dreams. I got over the depression eventually and by 26 re-emerged as Doe Deere, armed with a synthesizer and a handful of pop songs. But life had yet another surprise in store for me.
At 27 we find ourselves at the crossroads. You may have had one plan in mind, but the winding road takes you the entirely different route. Maybe you were studying to be an anthropologist, but discovered your passion for medicine on a trip to Africa and are now on your way to becoming the next Gregory House. Maybe you converted to vegetarianism the first year of the law school and decided to open your own animal clinic. Or you may have dreamed of touring the world with a band and ended up an entrepreneur/makeup artist instead. :)
The key to surviving 27 is to stay open to your options. Sure, life may not have played out exactly how you’d envisioned it at 21, but it has also shown you just how much more you’re capable of. The picture of who you are, what you want and how you can get it gets clearer once the smoke settles. Perhaps 27 is a blessing in disguise, a challenge that is designed to make us stronger and more resilient to life. If you can survive 27, you can do anything.
Deerlings: what was your 27 like? Do you think there’s any truth to the theory?
Many folks also hit their Saturn return around 27 … that can cause major woes!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_return
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
I can’t seem to recall if I had trouble during my 27th year of life. I do know that I am not where I thought I would be when I was younger. I’m in my 30s and I thought I would be married, financially secure, have a job I love and have a house. I can’t say I was suceeded at any of those. I do have a good job and made good money but I don’t love it. I live almost pay check to paycheck due to student loans and credit card debt. Becaus eof this, no house. Still renting an apartment. I do have an aweosme bf and we have been together 2 years so that’s good. Bue yeah, I thought I would have my masters by now and living a dream life. Didn’t happen for many reasons that wasn’t really in my control.
At 27 I made a big move career wise that led to where I am today. It was a challenging change but I love it.
I don’t get hung up on any age. 10 years from now it won’t seem like such a big deal either.
I was just watching the news the other night and they were saying that studies show that 27 is the new 50. Here’s a link to it:
http://www.the33tv.com/pages/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=3562887
I’m 27 myself.. will be 28 in July. I have not had a bad year so far. I’m not doing what I really want right now, but I also didn’t really decide what I wanted to do until about a year ago and I am taking the steps I need to take to get there.
I will have to say that I didn’t realize that all those people died at 27. That’s crazy!
Perhaps my 27 is coming a little early. I’m about to turn 22 here in a week, and I feel like I’ve crossed that point where youthful forgiveness can be applied. After all, I’m not a giggly 21 year old fresh on the bar scene anymore. I’m really struggling with the idea of being considered “young” and “old” in the same context. 21 is sort of the major hump, and everyone keeps telling me its all downhill from here.
I sure hope its not!
gosh, you don’t look 27.
after living abroad for nearly 6 years, i moved back at almost 27. but i’m 29 now, and survived.
Amen, sistah! 27 happens in a month and I’ve already started tinkering with a career change. Sick of doing web design and I’ve picked up the quill in consideration of becoming a calligrapher.
In other news, where on earth is that glorious key from? I’m eyeing that as a birthday present to myself!
This article couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time, Doe! I just turned 24 last month, so I’m not quite 27 yet, but I am nonethe less feeling kind of dissatisfied. I am applying to a different program today for University…little did I know I would still be trying to get into entry level programs at this age! I thought I would have a career by now. I just keep trying to remember that everything happens for a reason.
eek. don’t die before your birthday please! What a gloomy entry! Thank god 30s are the new 20s!
I’m only 20, so I have a few years to go yet, but I hope I’ll remember what you wrote here when I’m approaching 27.
I have to admit, when I see myself at that age, everything seems to be perfectly in place. I see myself as a stylish bachelorette with a high-flying law career, a trendy house/apartment, a cat (hopefully the same as the one I have now, seen as she’s only a kitten!) and enough money to buy whatever I want…
But then again, I thought everything would magically get better when I turned 18, and it didn’t, so I hope I’ve learned that things don’t always work out the way you imagine…not necessarily in a bad way, either!
I’ve always thought (since I first discovered you online, which was a few years ago) that you’re very accomplished, Doe…and you certainly don’t look your age!
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you to stay positive :)
x
I will be turning 28 in june as well, and I can feel what you wrote in your post. I think it’s because the first period of shaping our personality is concluded, and we’re presented with the result now of the career or job, relationship etc. that we chose when we started our post-high school life. The question is – are we content to stay where we’ve arrived now, or do we want more, maybe something different altogether? At 27, I have decided to start a second university career in mathematics, because I did feel that what I have learned until now has not been enough to sate my thirst for knowledge. I also feel that I have just recently embarked on a spiritual journey, inspired by literature and my own wild imagination, and I, in turn, have been inspired to an extend I had not known before. So yeah, 27 seems like kind of a turning point, but it doesn’t make me feel gloomy, but excited to know what life will have in store for me next!
I guess I’m reaching 27 a little early then? I’m 21 going on 22 in a month… and came to the conclusion I hate my major and I want nothing to do with it. I had the whole “oh man.. I haven’t achieved anything great” at 21.. ahaha;
Please don’t mysteriously die at 27 Doe We’d all cry… ;_;
Having recently turned 27, I feel like it was destiny for me to read this today! Thanks so much. My life has gone in many different directions, and lately I’ve just been hoping to have something to show when I go to my 10 year reunion. Then again I hated most of the people in high school, so maybe I’ll just skip it!
Doe, this is a great article! I just emerged from my very own quarter-life crisis that hit me like a ton of bricks at the ripe age of – yep – 27. It took a lot of perseverance and a lot of determination to follow my heart, to settle myself with drastically changing my life’s path (from research scientist to freelance writer!), but by my 28th birthday this past January, I was on the incline. It’s been a steady climb towards happiness and making my dreams come true since then. But, man, what hell to go through! I can’t wait for my 30s . . . I really think they’re going to kick ass.
I have 7 years to go before I’m 27, hehe.
I won’t be 27 for four years…but they actually did a study on rock stars(all different ones, genres, etc.) and it said that they were more likely to die then than any other year for some reason.
By the way, where the heck did you get that key? It’s awesome!
I think this is wise advice at any age. At some point in my life, I got the notion in my head that success only means something if it’s achieved insanely young. So I was always pushing myself to achieve A,B,C while still in high school and then X,Y,Z before finishing college. But then I realized that if I’m pushing myself to the point where I don’t enjoy the achievements, what’s the point. And I’m only 19!
Good call, Sal… definately the ascention of saturn. I’m 21 and I feel like I’ve cheated myself out of my own dreams, but I’m certain that it’s nothing like Saturn coming back around. Some people say the ascention of saturn is as simple as being a confusing time burdening you with worries of responsibilities and life roles, but I’m sure it’s much deeper. According to Tool’s Maynard, when Saturn makes it’s return (every 27-33 years) it’s your choice whether you will go on in this realm or enter a new conciousness that is just beyond existance. You can choose to learn from what Saturn is willing to teach you and let your soul flourish, or get dragged down. …An interesting theory!!! Thanks Doe!!
I’m only 22(’til the end of July) but I’m already dreading when all these future birthdays come, because I feel like I wont get anything done by then.. not that I really have many high goals.. but still, I don’t think I’ll get much done. Maybe it’s better to have low goals. :S lol
you hit my ge 17 dilemmas right on the head! These feelings it is good to know I am not alone. I am still 27…
WOW, this is so wierd. I am no where near 27, I’m 17, but today in my AP Art History class, we were going over contemporary art and this same painting came up, I got goosebumps. Now I got them again.
Just wanted to say to anyone fearing them – the 30′s ROCK. I’m 36 tomorrow, and I have to say, I wouldn’t go back a decade for anything.
Ladies, trust me, by the time you’ve hit your 30′s you’ve realized that it’s OK that you don’t know everything. You know who YOU are, and that’s about it, but really, that’s all you need.
… Strangely I was -exactly- thinking this these days. I’m going 27 in july and, other than relationship-wise, I do feel like I didn’t achieve much! I just love your article, very very interesting to read! *crosses fingers* It’s going to be alright…it’s going to be alright!
HOW. DID. YOU. KNOW!!!!!!
my husband and i are both 27 and its been the most challenging year of our short lives. thank you for some perspective :) you may have just saved us from careening off the edge.
Eeeek…I’m 21 and I’m already feeling incredibly challenged and disheartened (but I’ve also been in a bipolar downswing). I don’t think it will last, I’ve got lots of time to do something good with my life. Even if I never become a ballet dancer after college, it’s not all over.
I haven’t hit 27 yet. I’m 24. I definitely feel like I’m having the quarter-life crisis. I had a ‘professional’ career for all of nine months before I got laid off. I start back tomorrow at my old waitressing gig after three months on unemployment.
I kind of had to reevaluate my life and see what made me happy. I’m going to pursue my dream of being a performer/dancer. And that scares the crap out of me, but the desk job was never the life for me.
How apt – when I read this article, it had 27 comments! I’m not 27 yet – I’m only 19, going on 20 in about 2 months. I’ll be travelling half the world to America-land to go to college, hopefully doing Environmental Sciences with a minor in Art.
It doesn’t mean though, that this article wasn’t meaningful to me. I often felt – yes, at the grand age of 19 – that I was already failing at life because I didn’t go overseas to study in high school, or learn my paternal language, or a whole bunch of other things. I always thought that life was too short, and that I should do as many things as I can – as best as I can – to enrich it and really experience it. I guess I should just slow down and take things as it is.
This post gave me goosebumps. I’m 27, 28 in July, and this has been one of the most emotionally difficult years of my life, for many of the reasons that you and others stated. It feels comforting to hear that I’m not the only one who is struggling.
27 was a very, very difficult year, but it all came good in the end. I’m 29 in August, and quite frankly, I don’t feel so wrought up with angst as I used to. My message to everyone going through the hump is: don’t worry, it happens to everyone! I think there comes a point where you realise that no matter how much pressure you put on yourself, it’s not going to make things happen any faster. Knowing yourself turns out to be more of an achievement than any of the outer stuff, and when you know yourself, it doesn’t matter what you own or don’t own, what you do for a job, of wether you’re married or not.
So it’s all true then, it only gets worse xD (I’m 18 lol)
[...] Doe Deere tackles the age of 27 and it’s a good read, whether you were / are or will be 27. I’m 27 and agree with what [...]
I think there’s an issue with how our society views things: that we don’t have enough time here on Earth, that we’ll never have a second chance, and really, there’s just never enough time. People are consistently drilling into our brains that we have to ‘live in the moment’ but also that we do not have the time to do so! Plan ahead, think of the future, accomplish your goals by setting a rediculous time frame, etc. The fact remains: There is no plan. You can’t plan your entire life – you’ll be different in a few years. That’s why the average person switches careers/jobs every 10 years. I set my goals, but I don’t want to say I’ll be traveling the world at 25, but I will say that I’ll be well on my way to doing so.
I just turned 27 about 2 weeks ago. I’m hoping this year is better than the last 2!
Wow this is very interesting…27 was a RUFF year for me…lots of realizations and questions like “AM I A REALLY SOME SORTA CRAZY BITCH?!” Then I turned 28 this past October and I swear it’s like I turned over a new leaf as well and feel so much more in touch with myself and the universe and everything. I was thinking about that a little. Kinda cosmic!
oooooh. I turn 27 in a month and a half. I had no idea that it was such a big deal, but now that you mention it, I had just about the worst 26 ever! I hope that it all wraps up on my birthday, and 27 will be the dawn of a new era. I can feel it coming…..change….and I welcome it!
Well, I must say I am stumbling upon this blog at an appropriate time! I was just talking about my quarter life crisis with my older sister- who also had a quarter life crisis. So perhaps there is truth behind this theory because I feel much the same way, a huge change needs to be made but also I need to take responsibility for the change.
I feel like I’m a teenager again in some ways and there are major growing pains.
Thank you to you for sharing your story and words of encouragement..
p.s. I met you at Dances of Vice last weekend- you are one magical doe!
I was moved to leave a comment when reading a preceding comment from a poster claiming to feel the “terrible 27s” and she’s just turned 24. I can echo her sentiments, I have been working at a decent paying job for the last few years and I’ve been with the company since 2004. The company I work for has been acquired by a “bigger fish” and May 29th will be my last day. I am applying to college for the first time and feel like I’m walking toward a ledge with no parachute. I am 23. Never did I think this is where I would be at 23, I am “divinely dissatisfied” with my life to this point, but it’s the dissatisfaction that keeps pushing you forward!
It’s all about Saturn…. every 27 years, Saturn returns to the position it was in at your birth, and Saturn is a powerful influence. It’s not necessarily bad, but it’s certainly different from the challenges we all face at any point in our lives. Going through a rough time does not mean that you’re “reaching 27 early”. For me, at 27 I made radical changes to my life… I left my husband, quit my job, left the country, cut off my hair and joined the circus! For about the next FOUR YEARS I felt like I was being constantly tested on every lesson the universe had ever tried to teach me. Saturn returnm is that time; it’s like a final exam you have to pass before you can get on with the next phase. It’s an incredibly rewarding and challenging time. It’s not as simple as “27 is a bad year”. For lots of people, their Saturn return is a time where they settle down and get married or something.
i just turned 27, and yes, it’s like i am suddenly and painfully aware of what i have NOT accomplished. At this age, 30 is looming at the horizon; somehow demanding I be squared away and organized regarding career, relationship, and self. At age 17, my view of myself at 30 went thusly: i was sure i’d have a Bachelours degree, have a nice job in that field, be married, maybe have a kid… (in retrospect, most of these ideas are based on my mother’s life -which i naively thought is just ‘how life works’)
but guess what? people are waiting longer to figure out who they are before ‘settling down’! 30+ yr olds are going back to school, for art. i have become the person i wish i was in high school. maturity and life experience make it easier to say what you mean, not get bullied into doing things, discovering your true passions and strengths in life.
viva 27, and beyond!
Timely advice DOe, I’m 27 on Monday and I can certainly attest to a lot of what you’ve written.
I am currently 27 and I can understand all of it!
I have recently understood that I am in need of growing up a bit, my career is just starting as a carer for learning disabled adults, and I am planning for my future, instead of spending al my money and getting further into debt for no reason.
I am more focused than ever, but still having time for fun stuff!
Great article!x
I thoroughly enjoyed 27.
I found myself, on my 27th birthday, halfway around the world from where I was calling home, on a 45km bushwalk by myself. It was a departure from the ususal me I’d known for so long. I now knew I was strong and independant…I could carry a 20kg backpack up a mountain, pitch my own tent, provide my own company, and survive a possum attack.
The rest of 27 was great as well. I settled down in my new home with a couple of lovely ladies for flatmates. Met a wonderful man, moved in with him and got engaged. He had a young daughter and I found my mothering instinct. I changed my career at 27 from hospital based nursing to community health care and education.
Now, at 29, I am married with a baby on the way. If 27 hadn’t been the way it was, I’d still be back in Cananda doing the same old things, working soling for money, and trying to find solace in random strangers at nightclubs…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4995546/Old-age-begins-at-27-as-mental-powers-start-to-decline-scientists-find.html
I thought you might find it interesting. I hope it isn’t too depressing though!
Doe! I”m 24 and I feel the same way. I graduated early (I was 21 years old when I graduated college), I moved from Ann Arbor Michigan, back to my hometown Houston, Texas. I broke up with my boyfriend of 4 years at that point (2006), and a handful of minimum wage retail jobs later, I’m not where I wanted to be at 24. Pressure hits me wherever I go, I’m not in a Masters Program, I’m not in a job that requires a Bachelor’s Degree (eventhough I technically have my own classroom as a Long Term Substitute for a high school), but I feel unaccomplished. The whole subbing, and teaching aspect was my saftey, the whole “if-I-don’t-reach-my-goal-this-is-what-I’ll-do” situation. I love teaching don’t get me wrong, history is my passion, but I feel I copped out on myself, I’m not making nearly enough money to get out of my parent’s house (and btw, this is sub money not even teaching money). My increasingly understanding boyfriend has been holding me up through my depression, and even my students are starting to see this same depression. I work in a frame shop part time, and I still haven’t gotten out of retail. Its hard, I feel 27 has hit me way before I’m 27, and living with my parents make me feel even more terrible, because I can feel their disappointment. I know there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, I just have to go through twists and turns before I see it. I’m stuck right now in my life, unable to find a stable OFFICIAL teaching job, and there’s not much of a job market out there for myself…its hard on me emotionally, but I know I can get through this. Your article came at a very good time for me.
HOly Crap! That is all I can say. I could not agree with you more. I am printing this out and keeping this as a reminder to keep on going. Keep on keeping on. You know? Thanks.
I am going to look and see if you already posted this, but where is that 27 necklace from?
Doe Deere Reply:
May 19, 2011 at 1:58 pm
Sorry I’m getting back to your comment just now! The necklace is merely a key, I edited the number 27 in Photoshop. I WISH such necklace existed! :)
I’m only 19 but I’m really glad I read this article because I never realized that so many people go through this or even that so many people have these same sort of goals that everything will be perfect by a certain age. I certainly thought that by age 25 I’d be married, starting a family, buying a house, have a sucessful career and extremely happy. It’s nice to take a step back and take my head out of the clouds to concider the possibility that not everything I plan on happening will necessarily happen (even though a girl can still dream!) Thank you Doe Deere for such a self-reflective article, and thank you readers for all your comments too! ^^
Great post!
I’m 28 now. In my 27th year I was dumped by my fiance three months before the wedding, fell apart and had to give up my home and job, moved 300 miles for a new job and basically started my life over… the whole year was a living hell. I’ve been in my new job 10 months now, recently finally moved into a little flat of my own, and while I’m still working hard to heal all sorts of emotional scars, seem to be heading towards the right side of happy again. To quote an old Estonian proverb, it’s always darkest beneath the candle (i.e. there’s light on the other side).
In my case, with regards to my relationship ending (the catalyst for so much change), I had the double whammy of us both hitting 27 (we broke up a week after his 27th birtday!) AND hitting the famed 7 year itch. A little boat-rocking really was inevitable!
I turned 28 in August and am glad to have 27 behind me. I felt all the things you were talking about, and after turning 28, I started feeling a shifting inside me towards better things and much more clarity, along with a sense of leaving fears behind and shooting for what I really want in life. I also thought it was really cool just how many people brought up Saturn…I recently learned about that very thing at an astrology lecture and was going to mention it.