The perfect path

[enterthechair]

I've always felt like there was this golden path in life.

Childhood: Get good grades to build good habits.
16-18: Driver's license, first car, first kiss/relationship
18-22: College + a part-time job for some work experience. Get bachelors degree
23-24: Entry-level fulltime job. (Maybe live at home and pay off debt if possible)
25: Move out of parents house. Move to a fun city. Get a decent job.
30: Have professional career. Own a home (or at least don't live with parents or room mates).

And I feel like at every turn, I either completely missed it or I fell 10 years behind. And even as I catch up, it feels like I'm straying further and further away from the path.

 

[Sideways]

Fwiw - I can’t think of anyone in my life that’s followed that path (not even close!). I think there’s a lot of depictions of normal that we get influenced by that don’t have a lot of bearing on reality.

If you’re grieving the loss of what you wished you had in your life? That makes sense - try and be gentle with yourself while those emotions do their thing.

But also - you’re allowed to love the life you have, even if it doesn’t match what you thought it was meant ti look like. Even if it was ugly and painful at times.