Go your own way.
I don't usually make public posts, but I think this needs saying. The world needs to hear it.
I guess I've been thinking about this a lot lately because of the advertisements that come out at this time of the year, but it's something that I've believed in more and more over the past months, and something I believed when I was younger.
If you are going to college because it is expected of you, because you've been told you'll make more money, or because you want to impress people, then don't go. Never do ANYTHING for societal approval or money. Go if you dreams include a career that requires it, or because you want to try it out. Even if you don't particularly dislike the idea, my point still stands. If you're even half-hearted about something, then don't waste time you could be spending doing something meaningful to you. Outside of sustaining yourself in some way, there is nothing in this world that you should have to do if you don't want to.
The same thing goes for older people choosing careers. Don't do anything just because it pays better or it'll impress people more. Do something you like, or something you tolerate that keeps you fed and housed.
My main point: don't waste your time on things just because society favors one thing over another (usually, very unfairly). Make no mistake, I don't look down on people who choose to go to college, it's just that I don't favor them. What I don't like is when people do things because it is expected of them. Please, don't do that to yourselves. Your time, youth, and minds are so precious. Don't squander them doing things that others desire. Your time and energy should go into doing things that are meaningful to YOU. Stop worrying about impressing others and start living. You are alive, and life is the time to think, feel, and question. We are given 80 years, give or take a few decades, to explore and experience this world, so don't waste any of them impressing people. What do you want to do? Do you want to spend a while traveling and doing odd jobs? Do you want to be a scientist who discovers things about the world? Do you want to write a book? Raise a family? See the world? Live a relaxed life? It's all up to you, and your life is about what YOU want to do. Try everything you can and odds are, you'll eventually get it right. If something doesn't work, it's never too late to change. Unless you hesitate.
Don't live by the expectations of others. Follow your instincts and you'll be happy.
And now, a fitting quote from Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland, one of my favorite books:
"If you're not spending every waking moment of your life radically rethinking the nature of the world, if you're not plotting every moment boiling the carcass of the old order, then you're wasting your day."
I guess I've been thinking about this a lot lately because of the advertisements that come out at this time of the year, but it's something that I've believed in more and more over the past months, and something I believed when I was younger.
If you are going to college because it is expected of you, because you've been told you'll make more money, or because you want to impress people, then don't go. Never do ANYTHING for societal approval or money. Go if you dreams include a career that requires it, or because you want to try it out. Even if you don't particularly dislike the idea, my point still stands. If you're even half-hearted about something, then don't waste time you could be spending doing something meaningful to you. Outside of sustaining yourself in some way, there is nothing in this world that you should have to do if you don't want to.
The same thing goes for older people choosing careers. Don't do anything just because it pays better or it'll impress people more. Do something you like, or something you tolerate that keeps you fed and housed.
My main point: don't waste your time on things just because society favors one thing over another (usually, very unfairly). Make no mistake, I don't look down on people who choose to go to college, it's just that I don't favor them. What I don't like is when people do things because it is expected of them. Please, don't do that to yourselves. Your time, youth, and minds are so precious. Don't squander them doing things that others desire. Your time and energy should go into doing things that are meaningful to YOU. Stop worrying about impressing others and start living. You are alive, and life is the time to think, feel, and question. We are given 80 years, give or take a few decades, to explore and experience this world, so don't waste any of them impressing people. What do you want to do? Do you want to spend a while traveling and doing odd jobs? Do you want to be a scientist who discovers things about the world? Do you want to write a book? Raise a family? See the world? Live a relaxed life? It's all up to you, and your life is about what YOU want to do. Try everything you can and odds are, you'll eventually get it right. If something doesn't work, it's never too late to change. Unless you hesitate.
Don't live by the expectations of others. Follow your instincts and you'll be happy.
And now, a fitting quote from Girlfriend in a Coma by Douglas Coupland, one of my favorite books:
"If you're not spending every waking moment of your life radically rethinking the nature of the world, if you're not plotting every moment boiling the carcass of the old order, then you're wasting your day."