“There’s no right or wrong way to experience life.”
I’m one of those people who have always known what I wanted to do with my life.
I finished high school with a set idea in my mind of what I wanted my career to look like. I went to university to start – and finish – a degree that I loved. Then I got my dream job and started my career.
But I’m in the minority.
I’m the only one of my siblings or school friends who did that. Many had gap years or switched degrees, travelled, or just haven’t decided what they want to do with their lives yet. And that’s completely fine. But the way I did it, is fine too.
All throughout life we’re told by people who did things differently, that our way of living is wrong.
Whether it’s because we spent our teenage years in a long-term relationship that we were sure would result in marriage (it didn’t). Whether we are 23 and unsure of our long-term goals and want to just experience everything life has to offer first. Or whether we decide to work our arses off and land a great job before our 21st birthday.
I read an article recently that told 20-something women to basically chill the fuck out. Don’t worry about relationships, it said. Don’t stress about your careers. You’re in your twenties! The prime of your life! Worrying can wait until your thirties.
I’m calling bullshit on that.
I decided early on that I didn’t want to spend a year working some low-paying waitressing job and travelling the world. I knew that was never going to make me happy. I was so eager to get into the workforce that I packed up my life and moved states before even finishing my degree. For me, this worked.