So I guess this post really isn't really about travel…like at all. But lately I have been noticing somewhat of an epidemic on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram (basically any form of social media). Engagements…babies….everywhere! Sound familiar? When did I become old enough that people younger than me are having babies in multiples? When I, myself, feel overwhelmed watching my niece and nephew for longer than a few hours. It is becoming more and more common for people to get married and/or have children at a younger age. I'm not saying I disapprove of it, I just know for a fact that personally, I am nowhere near ready for marriage or kids. I don't think that I am necessarily immature, but I am nowhere near mature enough to be responsible for another human being, let alone pledging my love to someone for the rest of my life. I am young. I am a little bit selfish. And I am not ashamed to admit that. I am in no rush to grow up. Yet, I'm sure my 18 year-old self would probably think that 23 sounds "so old". She also probably thinks that I would have my shit together by now, but yet here I am. Young, ambitious, and little bit lost in life. But that's the joy of being in your twenties, isn't it? Learning who you are, taking risks…it's all part of the game. I am okay with the fact that I am single with no clear path for my life just yet.
The problem with all these young marriages/pregnancies is that it is giving all of us twenty-somethings unrealistic expectations to live up to. Old me used to think that I needed to be married by 26 at the latest, hopefully a kid or two by 30. Like there is a timeline for life and if we don't reach these milestones by a certain age, then we are failures. When in fact, this couldn't be further from the truth. Maybe I'll be 30 and still single. So what? Who says that I need to be married with kids by a certain age? I am not trying to bring down those who are doing these things at a younger age. I give them major props for having their life together and knowing what they want. I can hardly keep a fish alive, let alone another human being. But, I can say that I'm glad I didn't choose to settle down just yet. It may not be the right choice for everyone, but I am very okay with being a single 23 year-old woman. I am at a point in my life where I actually enjoy being single. Not being tied down to anyone, not having to worry about anyone but myself. It is very freeing. If I were married or had a child right now, the chances of me fulfilling my travel dreams would be a lot lower. I am glad that I have my entire life ahead of me to figure out who I am and what I want to do. There is no rush to grow up and there isn't a timeline for milestones in your life. I want all young people to remember that. You don't have to try to fit into a certain mold to be successful in life. Whether you want a family at a young age, or not until you are 40, it is all up to you. Just make sure you're living your life the way YOU want to, not the way you think society expects you to.
