The Pressure To Keep Up With The Joneses

One day at University, I met a guy who was 26 years old. I was 19 at the time and I remember feeling shocked that someone of his age would be taking an undergraduate degree.

Back then, I already felt old myself, having not only taken a gap year before my studies, but also having failed at my dream of becoming an Olympic swimmer.

By his age, I had envisioned already having achieved what I had wanted in life and being married with 2 children.

Oh, how I wish I could go back in time and slap myself in the face.

You see, we’re all on our own personal journeys, regardless of what society dictates we should have done or being doing based on our age.

Even now, at the age of 32, I’m no where close to being married, having children or being successful in my career.

And, that’s okay.

Because, the more pressure we put on ourselves to “keep up with the Joneses”, the more likely we’ll be to fail.

Like someone dear to me continuously reminds me, “all things come at the right time”.

The right time for you.

Not the time of your friends, or your parents before you or your next door neighbour.

It’s YOUR life, and YOUR unique story.