Earlier this month, I turned 22. *cue the appropriate Taylor Swift song*
It wasn’t a particularly eventual day; I spent time with close friends, let myself bask in the warmth of birthday messages, and drank I giant cup of coffee milk that left me jittery for the rest of the day.
That night, I sat back for a moment and reflected on my life as a certified adult. Is this what adulthood is supposed to feel like? Am I doing things right? If you would have asked a pre-teen version of myself what I would be doing at the age of 22, I probably would have shrugged and given an answer that included something like having a fancy job, living in a stylish apartment, and living my perfect life with a significant other and a dog.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
As I leaned back in my chair after a bowl of hastily prepared instant ramen, I couldn’t help but laugh a little. Oh, how naive was I to think that my life would be so picture perfect. Although I have realized that life is not so easy, and doesn’t come wrapped up in ribbons and bows, these are still things that I expect from myself. It is a mindset that I can’t seem to banish from my mind. Where’s my cushy job? Where’s my upscale apartment? I should have these things by now! Shouldn’t I?
It has taken a lot of introspection and deep chats with friends to realize that there is no one way that life “should” be. It’s one thing to understand this notion, but being at peace with it is a whole other ball game. As I see friends getting engaged, starting their family, or achieving major career goals, it’s difficult not to compare their lives to my own; a mental pitfall that I believe many people fall into.
So, how can we dig ourselves out of this self-defeating trap? I like to think of life as a video game; one with puzzles and side quests that can lead you to new, undiscovered terrain. Some will aim to get through each obstacle as quickly and efficiently as they can; others will take their time and complete side quests as they go. Essentially, life is a game where you can choose your own adventure. Of course, we’ve only got one go at it, so we have to choose wisely.
Photo by Dariusz Sankowski on Unsplash
At the end of the day, if there is one thing that I know, it’s that I know nothing-yet. For me, the prologue is coming to a close, and the real story is about to begin. All I can do is look forward to the adventure. Are you ready for yours?