Monday 28 July 2014

The curse of the "20-something"?






Recently, when I've been online all I've been seeing is articles about "20-somethings", how hard is it to be this age, how tough life is, how doomed we are and the mistakes we're all making.  Some tell us that our twenties are the best years of our lives, they're a time for finding yourself, creating a life and doing a whole lot of partying. Then there are others giving us advice, telling us how to be happy and of course the endless articles in list form; "20 things 20-somethings love", "12 ways to be a happy 20-something" or even "7 things all 20-somethings are guilty of doing". It seems like everybody has an opinion of how we in our twenties should be going about life. 


When I read these articles, I'm not sure how to feel. 


On one hand I'm excited at the possibilities the future brings, I feel like these are my prime years and I should be living life to the full, enjoying the freedom of being 22. On the other though, I feel a bit lost and like I haven't achieved anything. I think there's an immense amount of pressure on myself to BE something, to make something of my life. It seems as though the clock is running out and I have a limited amount of time to create happiness.


Sometimes reading an article online comforts me, helps me realise I'm not the only one who isn't sure whats happening in life. Other times I feel disheartened and worried that I won't "make it".


I suppose what I need to remember is that we're all only human.


Not everyone has a plan for the future, even those who do don't know if they'll end up where they hoped. Your plans can change in a day. In an hour even.

There is no timeline for success, and so called "success" in a certain area in your life doesn't guarantee happiness. Maybe you think your best friend has the perfect job, the perfect relationship, everything. They don't, I promise. We don't all have the same journey and this should be celebrated. We aren't all the same and that's what makes us interesting and beautiful. 

If I'm feeling unsure of myself, I try to remember this quote


"Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't." - Mary Schmich


I'm not entirely sure where my life is going, I don't know what career I'll end up in, I don't know if I'll get married or have children or even where I'll end up living. I don't know exactly what I want right now. All I know is that I'll be okay. I'm going to say yes to the opportunities I get, enjoy the little things in life and treasure my friends and family.
We're all in this together after all!

Rachael x








Blogger & Blogspot Templates from pipdig