Brand New "Adult" Barbie!

Not even Barbie can explain how life changes, moves on, and slows down.

Introducing Mattel's newest addition to the Barbie franchise! She's young, she's educated, and she still relies on her parents for most things, it's Young-Adult Barbie! This Barbie is fresh out of higher education her parents told her she had to have to get a "good" job in this world. She spends most of her time on Instagram and TikTok to distract herself from the degrading search for the allusive good job, but don't worry she goes to therapy too! This Barbie is different from her counterparts as she is technically an adult in age, but when it comes to life experience and being able to afford adult things, she is SOL. Unlike other Barbies who have wonderful careers, this Barbie is just looking for an entry-level job that doesn't pay below market value for her skills and education. This Barbie loves hanging out with her friends, spending money at her favorite coffee shops, and dreaming about traveling the world one day. Look for her on your local toy shelves today!

If you couldn't tell, this is satire but all in good fun.

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Time is a fickled friend. One moment you're in your childhood bedroom wishing you were grown up, and then the next you are a grown-up, wishing it would slow down. I remember as a kid, my mother would constantly tell me "Enjoy your childhood while you can because one day it'll be over before you realize it." Back then, I would roll my eyes at this statement because all I wanted was to be grown enough to make my own rules be financially independent, and be my own person. Now, on the brink of "adulthood," I find myself longing for those days. Days when I felt secure, felt loved, and was undoubtedly excited about the person I would become. Don't get me wrong, I'm still very much excited to be an "adult" and be afforded all the autonomy that comes along with it, but how I imagined being an adult versus the real thing is quite different.

When I was a kid, I used to imagine myself as an archeologist. Trekking across the globe and discovering new, and exciting things. I would be beautiful, successful, and all the things a little girl dreams of. Essentially, I saw myself as Archeology Barbie. These days, I resemble what can only be described as "Burnt-out Barbie". After two long years of being a full-time graduate student, working at least two part-time jobs at the same time, the only feeling I have after all of this is tired. I would like nothing more than a month-long vacation in a tropical, peaceful land, where all of my worries can melt away and then remerge from my island getaway like a beautiful new butterfly breaking away from its cocoon. Alas, Tropical Island Barbie is going to have to wait because Burnt-out Barbie is in the midst of applying for jobs in one of the worst employment crises in history.

Has it been stressful? Like you wouldn't believe it. Have I lost some hair? I don't want to talk about it. Will I get through this? Hell yes, I will!

How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? - Dr. Seuss

The last two years have been a whirlwind of change for me. Graduating college, losing friends, going through a difficult breakup, and picking up the pieces haven't been easy. At some point, it felt like I would never leave those spaces. I felt like I was always going to be sad and lost forever. One moment your world is bright and beautiful, the next it's dark, lonely, and sad. But each day, I found something new to get me out of bed. I found strength, I found love, and I found myself. After all the hardships and heartbreaks, I found a community of people that love and support me. I have wonderful friends now that have gone above and beyond for me during times of stress that I couldn't imagine my life without. Most of all, I have found a sense of peace knowing that time truly does heal all wounds. Soon enough your world has all new kinds of colors.

So a bit of advice: Slow down, play with your Barbies, and appreciate life in all of its colors.