‘F-ck! I’m In My Twenties’ Tumblr Now In Book-form, Shows Self-Deprecating Side Of Our Generation

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‘F-ck! I’m In My Twenties’ Tumblr Now In Book-form, Shows Self-Deprecating Side Of Our Generation

3:45 pm, August 31st | by Laura Donovan

Being a 20-something isn’t easy or respectable. Just ask the media. In recent years, commentators everywhere have shared their unsolicited views on Generation Y, stating we’re taking too long to advance, self-involved, too snobby and over-privileged to work blue collar jobs, spoiled, etc. There’s a lot to say about people our age, but “F-ck! I’m in My Twenties” blogger Emma Koenig, who has just released an interactive book of the same name, explains the ups and downs of 20-somethings in a funny, engaging, accessible way.

The book, which features drawings, graphics, and text, explores life as a 20-something in a humorous light and isn’t afraid to make fun of itself, and that self-deprecating, non-pretentious attitude might be just the image boost our generation needs after being ripped apart for other pop culture depictions of our lives. Half the pictures are from Koenig’s viral Tumblr page and the other fifty percent is new material, so the book is definitely the perfect end-of-the-summer read, especially as college starts again and reminds you of the number of years you’ve been out of school. I’ve included one of my favorite passages below, as I’m certain it will ring true to those of you that have ever Facebook stalked a former flame when you should have been applying for jobs, taking out the trash, or in most cases, sleeping.

That’s only the beginning. We had a chance to ask author/comedian Koenig some questions about her work, and you can find them below:

The trailer for your book feels kind of like a movie. Do you foresee a movie and/or show inspired by your book?
I’m currently in negotiations with a production company so we’ll see what happens!

Emma Koenig

You’ve just turned the adventures and misadventures of being a 20-something into a very successful product. Has that made it any easier for you to survive your twenties?
It is pretty incredible that complaining about my twenties is what has helped me the most in my twenties. I am grateful to have access to new opportunities, but my life isn’t that different than it was when I began. It’s not as though having a book out means I suddenly get to bypass all frustration, anxiety, and self-loathing.

What’s the best part of being a 20-something? Worst part?
In my experience, you kind of have to rewrite your life manifesto. You have to redefine the terms of what makes you happy. The obstacles to achieving that can be endlessly upsetting and exhausting, but when you come across the people and experiences that bring you joy, that you can grow with in the next phase of your life, it is worth it. I guess I’m saying that it’s even harder to find the right people and moments, but it makes the payoff of actually finding them that much more exhilarating.

How do you think you’ll feel in your thirties? Better? Worse?
Obviously, the worries and roadblocks never stop no matter how old you are, but I should hope that they decrease in intensity by the time I’m thirty. If I’m still this insanely frantic and confused in my thirties, I should probably just give away all of my possessions and become a monk.

Your book is very entertaining. Are you interested in writing another?
Thanks! I am totally interested in writing another. I never want to stop writing.

I don’t know about you, but graduation day felt like a funeral to me. Would you return to college if you could?
I graduated a semester early from college. As much as I loved the program I was in, I felt very done with the college experience for a long time. So I’m sure that if I were to go back, I would inevitably hit that breaking point again where I was ready to leave. Having said that, I love being a student and being in a classroom environment. So hopefully I will be able to take some kind of class regularly again at some point in my life. Not to sound like the corniest human on the planet, but being part of a group learning experience (when the subject is something you’re passionate about) is one of the best feelings.