The falsehood of adulthood

Financial/educational stability in adulthood is confusing.

Society sets an example where almost everyone faces the expectations of having a secure job, starting their own family, or, in some extreme cases, buying a home, in our twenties. In real life, however, such scenarios are not designed to be fit for all. When this realization occurs, it shatters one's faith in their ability to maneuver through adulthood.

Eventually, one begins to rethink the very standards by which an ideal adult is set. Do all ideal adults focus on starting jobs as soon as possible? Do they eat, sleep, and work differently to achieve impossible feats by a very young age? Is sacrificing dream goals a common practice in order to meet society's standards? Or is there something fundamentally incorrect in our ideology of the perfect adult? I personally believe the issue is with the latter, and the creation of such a thought process starts earlier than you think.

Usually, we are taught to follow one of two main ways of living; you are either taught to focus on attaining happiness, or achieving accomplishments related to your academics or career. The problem lies in the lack of emphasis on how these goals or accomplishments are achieved and how long it will take to achieve them. Consequently, we grow up with the belief that education entitles us to a job immediately, which will allow us to acquire financial stability, as though they come one after the other automatically.

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In reality, proper adult decisions should be tailored according to an individual's own wants and needs in terms of our career and family, as these desires and requirements vary from person to person. In fact, even the age when a person is first forced to make important decisions can vary depending on how life treats you. Sometimes, the youngest of children have to run their families and make major life decisions.

Just because your neighbour found comfort in early entrepreneurship, does not mean you necessarily will. If your parents found interest in pursuing degree after degree and building a career in academics, you do not need to force yourself to study against your will. Your career path and general life decisions can be influenced by others, but in my opinion, should ultimately be made on the basis of what you believe will be best for yourself. There is no exact, fool-proof decision that will automatically guarantee you as set for life. Both major and minor life decisions consist of a lot of trial and error.

In the end, I personally believe whether you love the career path that you are choosing for yourself, or whether you are capable of bearing the consequences of decisions that you make is of great importance. A lot of the time you just need to ensure that you're trying your best in your given situation, so that come what may, you will not have any regrets.

Have faith in the fact that you are meant to be where you are in life, even your most unnoticeable struggles will all be worth it as long as you yourself find contentment in the path you choose.

Bushra Zaman likes books, art, and only being contacted by email. Contact her at bushrazaman31@yahoo.com