I’m [relatively] young, and I’ve had a good life. I haven’t had a life riddled with trials and hardships, but I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth either. I have quite a few accomplishments that I’m pretty proud of, but I don’t consider myself to have accomplished more than anyone else.
I said all that to say that I’m not dissatisfied with where I am in life, but I know that there has to be more for me. I’m too young for a mid-life crisis, and “crisis” is way too strong of a word anyway. I’ll call my stage in life a “pre-midlife semi-crisis”.
What's Next?
Now before you label me “an insane person with a self-diagnosed disorder of sorts” (and I subsequently punch you in the face twice in the same spot for calling me “an insane person with a self-diagnosed disorder of sorts”), realize that I’m not occupying this space alone. None of the people in my age range that I talk to have called it the same thing, but the symptoms are the same:
- It may not be that we absolutely hate our jobs, but the thought of working 8+ hours a day, 5 days a week for the next 30 years or so sounds… awful.
- The city where we live may not be the absolute worst city for young people, but the thought of staying in one place for the rest of life sounds a shade less than terrible.
Like generations before us, we couldn’t wait to graduate high school so we could be treated like an adult. Then we couldn’t wait to finally graduate college, so we could go to work and actually be an adult. Up until college graduation, life has happened in little 3-6 year bursts that revolve around school:
- After five years of living a worry-free life, we start elementary school.
- Five or so years later we move on to the next stage of school, middle school (or junior high, depending on where you’re from).
- Then we spend the next four years in high school followed by another 4+ in college.
Then there’s work. Nothing but work for the next 30-40 years… Awesome.
Don’t get me wrong, I completely realize that this is nothing new. The generations before us did the same thing and made it work. But I feel like they were wired differently. I mean, we grew into our adulthood with microwaves, portable music devices (Walkmans -> portable CD players -> iPods), the internet, and cell phones—instant access to any and everything. If they wanted portable music, then they would either have to learn to hum or whistle on key. If they walked outside with a phone in their hand to reach anybody, then they would have to yell really loud because the phone wasn’t connected to anything but hope.
I understand how whiny this may sound, but it’s a real issue for me/us. The way of my grandparents was great, and it worked for them. The way of my parents was also great, and it worked for them as they raised me. I don’t see myself following the same type of path.
This appeals to many - but where does the Open Road lead?
That sounds mad generic and vague, huh? That’s because I really have no idea what it means… Seriously. No idea. Hence the Pre-Midlife Semi-Crisis.
I’m not saying that I’m unhappy with life, I’m just saying that I’m not as happy with aspects of my life as I know I could be. It’s definitely not the end of the world, and I’m nowhere near depressed. If anything, I’m determined to find something to change.
Maybe this will help some people out (<< CLICK)…
What about you? Do you find yourself having the same type of thoughts? What do you plan to change? Be sure to leave your comments in the Comment Section below.
Until next time…
