It's time to grow up
Now I've made a point of not dedicating too much of my time to bitching about other people but lately I've really been thinking about the state of my generation. Now this stereotyping I'm about to do may be limited to my geographical location as the Midwest is notorious for certain kinds of behavior. That being said, don't assume anything I'm about to say is automatically applied to you, the reader.
Okay for all those people who have graduated from college and are now living on your own, there are three traits you absolutely must have at this point in your life. They are: independence, self-discipline, and responsibility.
If you have the means to live on your own, that should translate to financial independence as well. I have more debt than anyone I know and I still don't ask other people for money or to buy me things. I guess because I didn't have a lot growing up and my parents didn't spoil me I've learned the value of a dollar more so than others. Consequently it often drives me nuts how much some people my age have no concept of financial responsibility.
The other thing I don't get about young people is how much they rely on their parents to do everything for them. It's one thing to go to them for help from time to time, I mean that's what they are there for. But if you can't do simple things yourself then that's a serious problem. Your twenties are an opportunity to learn certain key life skills which will enable you to grow into a responsible adult so that you may be capable of taking care of other people down the line.
As for self-discipline, well I think that pretty much just applies to all those lazy people out there. Speaking as someone who used to be the laziest person on the planet, I understand the allure of the lifestyle. Basically...it's just fucking easier to be lazy and when you're twenty-something, easy is the name of the game. Unfortunately it also makes you look like a knob to other people. College kicked my ass into high gear and it made me realize how much more you can get out of life when you discipline yourself. The happiest people I know, including myself, are the ones that never take the easy route. They work hard, they sacrifice, and they don't take anything for granted.
Responsibility...ahhh. Now here is something that is definitely MIA from the youth of America. When people fuck up, they make excuses or they blame other people. It's never, "I'm sorry I was wrong. I won't do it again." Instead it's, "I don't see anything wrong with this behavior" and then they do it again. One of the most obnoxious qualities a person can have is not taking responsibility for his or her actions. It's cowardly and honestly...pretty disrespectful as well. People aren't islands. Their actions affect the people around them and by copping out of responsibility you are basically saying to those people, "I don't give a shit how this affects you or your life." It's a really lame way to be and it's a behavior that should have been chucked after high school.
Now I'm not trying to give off a 'holier-than-thou' vibe here. I mean I've been guilty of some, if not all of these behaviors at one time or another. That's just it though. I realized early on that this shit just doesn't fly in the real world. You will end up suffering in one way or another. Sure you may still end up with a great job, a lot of money, and tons of friends but I can pretty much guarantee that no one will respect you...and that's really sad. I guess if young people cared more about that they wouldn't act like imbeciles.
Well on a positive note, I am optimistic that people can rise to the occasion, get their shit together, and live their lives with full conviction. It may take a long time for some but I really believe that we can all get to that point. I just know that if we all start living better, everyone will be affected in a profoundly wonderful way.
Okay for all those people who have graduated from college and are now living on your own, there are three traits you absolutely must have at this point in your life. They are: independence, self-discipline, and responsibility.
If you have the means to live on your own, that should translate to financial independence as well. I have more debt than anyone I know and I still don't ask other people for money or to buy me things. I guess because I didn't have a lot growing up and my parents didn't spoil me I've learned the value of a dollar more so than others. Consequently it often drives me nuts how much some people my age have no concept of financial responsibility.
The other thing I don't get about young people is how much they rely on their parents to do everything for them. It's one thing to go to them for help from time to time, I mean that's what they are there for. But if you can't do simple things yourself then that's a serious problem. Your twenties are an opportunity to learn certain key life skills which will enable you to grow into a responsible adult so that you may be capable of taking care of other people down the line.
As for self-discipline, well I think that pretty much just applies to all those lazy people out there. Speaking as someone who used to be the laziest person on the planet, I understand the allure of the lifestyle. Basically...it's just fucking easier to be lazy and when you're twenty-something, easy is the name of the game. Unfortunately it also makes you look like a knob to other people. College kicked my ass into high gear and it made me realize how much more you can get out of life when you discipline yourself. The happiest people I know, including myself, are the ones that never take the easy route. They work hard, they sacrifice, and they don't take anything for granted.
Responsibility...ahhh. Now here is something that is definitely MIA from the youth of America. When people fuck up, they make excuses or they blame other people. It's never, "I'm sorry I was wrong. I won't do it again." Instead it's, "I don't see anything wrong with this behavior" and then they do it again. One of the most obnoxious qualities a person can have is not taking responsibility for his or her actions. It's cowardly and honestly...pretty disrespectful as well. People aren't islands. Their actions affect the people around them and by copping out of responsibility you are basically saying to those people, "I don't give a shit how this affects you or your life." It's a really lame way to be and it's a behavior that should have been chucked after high school.
Now I'm not trying to give off a 'holier-than-thou' vibe here. I mean I've been guilty of some, if not all of these behaviors at one time or another. That's just it though. I realized early on that this shit just doesn't fly in the real world. You will end up suffering in one way or another. Sure you may still end up with a great job, a lot of money, and tons of friends but I can pretty much guarantee that no one will respect you...and that's really sad. I guess if young people cared more about that they wouldn't act like imbeciles.
Well on a positive note, I am optimistic that people can rise to the occasion, get their shit together, and live their lives with full conviction. It may take a long time for some but I really believe that we can all get to that point. I just know that if we all start living better, everyone will be affected in a profoundly wonderful way.