I told Danielle how the twentysomething brain reacts to surprise and criticism—usually emotionally and strongly and negatively—and how this makes many twentysomethings feel like, as one colleague says, leaves in the wind. A good day at work lifts us high in the air while a reprimand from a boss whips us down to the ground. As criticism blows us every which way, we feel—at work and in love—only as good as the last thing that happened.

