Children can be whatever they want when they grow up. In a literal sense yes, for the most part, people can make this definitive decision regarding their future. Looking closer though, there are numerous fine lines ingrained in each and every one of these damning resolves. Within these details lies a multitude of external influences. Some being the job market, economic climate, finances and even those closest to the individual.
A family’s opinions can play a major role in deciding a career path and oftentimes can be borderline forceful. Everyone has an opinion and there are times when they could be a little afraid to show it. Although playing devil’s advocate, there may some genuine concern behind Aunt Jenny’s two-cents about your choice of major. Those closest to us do want us to succeed and live fruitful lives but at what cost? Yes, some majors and career choices ARE safer than others. Yes, some fields make substantially more money than others. BUT where is the happiness? Drop the cliché, and think: in all honesty is killing yourself by working a 9 to 5 that you hate better than doing what you love and enjoying every day? This may sound idealistic but think about it – if you truly want something you will do everything in your power to achieve just that. It may be filled with extra work and hardships, but call me idealistic if I think all of that is worth it at the end of the day.
Growing up, we are told that we can be anything that we want. But at what point does that change? When you turn five and say you want to be a veterinarian? When you turn 11 and decide you want to be a teacher? Or how about when you are 21 and decide to become an editor. Now I’ll be honest I have been guilty of it too. Guilty of telling people they should be smarter in their career choices and asking if they have fully researched what they are getting into. But I will be damned if I hear a soul talk to my 13-year-old brother that way. We all, sometimes myself included, need to learn to let people live their lives and show support for the things they care about. Deciding on a life path is HARD and even one negative or belittling statement can be crushing to someone who thought they had finally mapped out their future.
It is the time that we take back our own lives and sometimes that means adopting selective hearing.