We go through life competing with ourselves and others around us. We question whether we are studying at the right university or if our major is right for us. Countless hours are spent thinking about where we should be by the age of 25 and where everybody else is. A lot of our days are spent living up to everyone else’s expectations because everyone says that by the time we are 30 we should have it all figured out.
The truth of the matter is, there is no defined age by which you should have it all figured out. You go according to your own pace.
What if you’re not ready to purchase a house? What if this is not really what you want to study? What if you are not ready to be married? What if you can find success outside of what you are learning in school? The pressure can be quite intense, especially if we look at our peers and realize that they have already reached those milestones in their life. Not only that but we start to feel compelled to get on the same level that they are.
Living Through Social Media
I have heard quite a few discussions about how toxic social media has become. People have become so wired to present their best self forward that they fabricate a life that they simply cannot afford to live every day. In doing so they sell a lie to the public. We must learn to separate truth from fiction and avoid putting uncalled for pressure on ourselves. When we see people truly doing well, we should wish them well because you never know what they might have gone through to get there. Websites like LinkedIn tend to depict a more accurate representation of people and their academic and career pursuits. This is not to say that all that glitters is gold. It can be a toxic environment for others, as people are constantly posting how they are 'pleased to announce that they have started a new role as manager or director', promoted or just got accepted into their dream university. Not to mention those who are CEO's before 30 or just landed their first job right out of school with Google. All of this while you are still working at Kroger two years after your degree in the same field. This can be hard to hear if you have been trying to do the same but without results. Hence, the rise of terms like "toxic positivity." While this can be motivation for some to continue to pursue that dream job or work harder for that A, it can be detrimental to others.
Consistency Over Perfection
As I have quoted many times before, consistency is the mother of all progression. You have to keep trying. Try different ways at various times and with a new mindset. You can and you will achieve. Tell yourself that "I am" and "I have." It is for you and you cannot give up on yourself. Pandemic or not, you have to leverage your creativity and be inspired by your limitations.
Before You Feel The Pressure, Understand This
There is no hard and fast rule to living your best life, except that you do what makes you happy. There is something selfish about that, I know but when you are happy, a whole new world opens up to you and it gives you the chance to impact the lives of those around you.
We can sometimes be our worst enemy by putting realistic expectations on ourselves, we create a hostile environment that becomes the life we now hate. No one says you have to have a masters by the age of 27 or that you have to buy a car by the time you are 24. Sometimes we finish college at 21 but never find a job but sometimes we finish at 30 and find a job right away. We look at others getting married at 24 and think that we need to do the same but never stop to think if they are actually happy or just living up to expectations. We should make every day count and do things according to our own timeline. Some of the most educated and successful people found their success at a much later age than expected. Learn to separate what is expected from you versus what you want for yourself.
Remember, there is no prescribed age for love or success but there is one for happiness and that should be every day or at least most.
Find more tips by going to our Landing A Job category for career insights and new opportunities. Thank you for spending some time with me! Like, comment and share!
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