Reflections from a Quarter-Life Crisis

“Life is a journey, not a destination.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Truth

Almost no one has life figured out when they’re pushed out of the nest at 18. They just hope that if they can pick the right major and graduate from the right college without overwhelming debt, they can wander into what they really want out of life later. They can coast. So yeah, they’ll take the internship in their field and then the job that comes after it when they graduate, because who are they to say “no” to the income. They’ll find a cute guy online who says all the right stuff, puts a ring on it, says “I love you” at the right moment, and gets along with their parents. Eventually, they’ll get a house and a car loan, and all the other things that “settled” people acquire.

But then they’ll turn 25 and realize that something is missing. And no, it’s not God (he’s still around) and no, it’s definitely not a baby (heaven knows they’re neither ready nor wanting one anytime soon, so stop asking), and no, it is most assuredly not the next professional degree or job (done and done). It is, in fact, the dream that they’ve carried around their whole life finally beating straight out of their chest. It’s the childhood ambition that kept sending in resumes but was never invited in for an interview because it never found itself in the right company or it was never the “right time”. Now, it’s kicking down the door and making you acknowledge it’s presence. It’s absolutely refusing to be ignored or put down anymore by the excuses that were generated by fear. It’s not giving you a choice anymore. You either invite it in and put it to work or live with the regret of what might have been as you get rid of it once and for all.

Live your Life

I understand that this post is not applicable to everyone. There are so many paths that lead to fulfillment in life but my hope is that by writing this, at least one person who has been letting their dreams rot within them because they were worried about disappointing people, failing, or wasting their time, will stop and reconsider what they’ll lose if they don’t pursue their ambition. It doesn’t matter what age you are or where you are currently, just go after what you want wholeheartedly. We are only on this Earth for a finite time. Get serious about your dreams or get out. Stop treating it like a childish hobby if it’s really what you want to do with your life. And stop worrying about what other people will think of you! The truth is that they’re usually too worried about their own issues to put a microscope to yours anyways.

P.S. Nike had it right when they said: “JUST DO IT”. Stop delaying your dream because you’re waiting for the right moment or the right person to knock on your door. Just create opportunities and knock on other people’s doors. You’ll be glad you did it NOW instead of five years from NOW, I promise. Rock what you’ve got and never look back because honestly, looking back is only going to cause you to trip! 

Sincerely,

A (former) PROcrastinator and (reformed) Overthinker