Don’t Settle: Why You Should Be Selfish In Your 20s

Growing up I had a doll in my hand since day one. I can remember sitting in the middle of my room playing with Barbie and setting the house up to look perfect. I couldn’t wait to have my own home, with my own furniture and decorations someday.

It’s a concept that’s relatable to everyone even today. We sit on Pinterest making sure to collect the perfect decorations for our apartment, wedding plans and Insta-worthy eats. There’s something so glamorous about having your life put together. But then you grow up and priorities start to switch.

Flash forward to reality; my walls are filled with DIY projects, I’m at a point in my life where I don’t know what comes next, and I don’t even have enough money in my bank account to put guac on my Chipotle. But as I approach graduation day, the big question asked a million and a half times is ‘So when are you settling down?’

Yes, you read that right. Don’t mind my graduating on time, areas of interest, or where I’m headed for my first job, but please ask me more about my relationship. Regardless of the fact that I am currently in a long-term relationship, that’s all my degree seems to matter to some people. People do not bust their asses for four years and put themselves in debt up to their eyeballs to pop out a few kids upon graduation.

It wasn’t uncommon for people to get married straight out of high school not too long ago. Generation Y has changed that. More and more young people are deciding to hold off on a family and continue to explore themselves instead. I am one of those Gen Y-ers.

But even if I wasn’t, what makes people assume that I want to settle down and start a family right away? My boyfriend of six years isn’t being asked when he’s proposing to me, so why am I being questioned?

My response to those people is simple – go look at all the things I’ve already created. I’ve produced countless articles and even created my own blog. I’ve worked as an editor to produce a number of different publications and have worked hard mentoring others to see them grow and prosper as well. So no, I may not be ready to settle down and pop out a few kids, but I am not ready to stop the creation of new ideas.

No matter what our passion is, from having a family to having a well-paying job, there is no reason that one should be any lesser than the other. It’s time to brush off the norm of settling down and having children and create a world that appreciates passion over tradition.

By no means am I saying that we should all stop having a family and kids, but instead we need to realize that there are many walks of life. Having a family is still high on my priority list, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to get pressured out of doing what I love while I can, and neither should you.

Generation Y has the ability to challenge norms, create amazing opportunities for ourselves, and be truly happy. Don’t let anything come between you and your dreams.

Featured image via Pixabay on Pexels

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