MovieChat Forums > The Lifeguard (2013) Discussion > Anyone else recognize themselves in this...

Anyone else recognize themselves in this?

posted 11 years ago by maverick494
7 replies | jump to latest

When I was a teen I thought I'd had life all figured out. Now I'm nearing my mid twenties I'm in the hell-if-I-know phase. I have 2 degrees and no idea what to do (finding a good job is seriously difficult and right now I'm working way below my paygrade). I don't feel as grown up as I'd thought I'd be at this age. No boyfriend, no long term career, etc.

Now, I wouldn't hook up with a teen like KB's character is doing but I kinda get the whole regression thing. When you're a teen, life is pretty straightforward and simple. You can hide behind the innocence (and naivete) of youth. When you get older people expect you to be responsible and mature (and other words I haven't grasped the true meaning of.)

Anyone else in the 20+ crowd feeling a bit lost?

[–] volcom_dude87 11 years ago

I cannot agree with you more. As a matter of fact, I just earned my college degree and I can't find a job in my field for *beep* I have a feeling that this film is going to hit on so many levels for me.

[–] Final_Hitokiri 11 years ago

finding a good job is seriously difficult and right now I'm working way below my paygrade

You can thank those working in the 60+ crowd who won't retire, keeping all of the jobs for themselves.

Regardless, your paygrade is what you make of it. Plenty of people still live great lives even if they aren't paid very well. And some people have more than they know what to do with and OD at a party.

[–] DCI77 11 years ago

At least you're getting paid and say you have a job unlike the unemployed. It could be worse; sometimes a job is just a job and it doesn't have to be "the coolest, most creative, most awesome" job. Jobs that don't baby the employee, jobs that are considered "pathetic" sometimes are the most memorable because they test your patience and they make you humble in the process if you take it for what it's worth.

2013 Most Anticipated - Stoker, The Spectacular Now, Frances Ha

[–] plazbo 11 years ago

I'm 29 (?...yes) and been in that boat from about 21 onwards. I don't think I've really aged past 24, I have a well paying job (and it's better paid as of last week with my 25% raise) but I just doesn't click with me.

[–] jlprizm21 11 years ago

I feel the same. I'm also stuck in a job that I don't enjoy that has nothing to do with what I got my degree in and getting paid like crap. I feel like I should be lucky to have a job..like others are pointing out..but at this age (I'm 27) I thought that I would have my career figured out. I also thought I would be in a long term relationship living on my own. I still live with my parents :(
Anyway I totally agree with how you feel. This is definitely not how I thought my life would be like when I was envisioning it as a teenager.

[–] serenity026 11 years ago

I am in the exact same situation. Single, mid-twenties, 2 degrees but can't get a skilled job, still working in my casual job from when I was a student and living at home with my parents.

This movie and Kristen Bell's character really struck a chord with me. Life as a teenager can feel so dramatic and hard at the time but it's also the last time when can be truly young, wild and free.

Another movie with a similar theme of being a lost, sleepwalking-through-life 20 something is Garden State, which evoked the same sort of emotions in me as The Lifeguard.

[–] toxictears 10 years ago

I can relate. Im 32, I had a cool life in the city, Masters degree, good husband, own house, cat etc. But it all fell apart beneath my feet, so I tried to make it overseas but now I have no idea what Im doing.. no career, no relationship, back in one of my parents apartments near my home town, and just feeling nostalgic about my early 20's. I also get guys 10 years younger cracking onto me but I havent gone there, lol. And I definitely would feel like a looser smoking dope with teenagers.