Have you ever got so tired of hearing everyone else's opinions on what you should do with your life?

I got engaged at age 21, and I plan to marry at 22. I'm a junior at Ole Miss; psychology major & sociology minor. I'm from the Bible Belt. Anyone see what I mean?

I've had a preacher tell me to think about another major even though I'm over halfway finished with a bachelor's degree just because "so and so" couldn't find a job in psychology in south Mississippi.

I've had someone tell me at my family Thanksgiving lunch that it was stupid to get married before graduating.

I've had my own grandmother tell me that I'm supposed to do life in a certain order: graduate high school, obtain an Associate's degree, obtain a Bachelor's degree, obtain a Master's degree, then get engaged, get married, have babies.

I'm sorry? Who decided that order? To each their own opinion. I couldn't care less which order people decide to live their lives.

Living 4 hours away from home has been challenging. I've always wanted to move away and grow. During the summer after I obtained my Associate's degree, I felt so stagnant in my hometown. Can anyone relate? I knew Oxford, MS was about to help me flourish into who I wanted to become.

This past semester has been my hardest one yet. No one told me how difficult it is to transfer from a community college to a 4 year university. Honestly, this has been my lowest grades ever so far.

And guess what? I'm okay with it. Growth comes with a challenge. I joke all the time about dropping out. I would never actually drop out because in order to make enough money to pay bills and plus some one day, I need to obtain a higher level college degree.

To the college drop outs, I respect you. College is not for everyone, as cliché as it sounds. But I mean it. My high school made it seem like college was the only way to be successful, and that's simply not true.

To the 20-somethings who are confused, think about therapy/counseling. It DOES NOT make you weak. I've gone to counseling all semester. It takes time, but it helps.

To the stressed young adult, it won't last forever. You are growing. Maybe think about getting a puppy. I really want one.

Find your voice if you haven't already. Don't let people run over you and don't allow people to shove their opinions down your throat. Live your life the way you want to. become your own person. You are not your parents or grandparents or whoever it is that you think you need to be. You are you, and it's okay to be different.

5 things I've learned about emerging adulthood...

1. Opinions are like noses; everyone has one. Take them with respect and a grain of salt.

2. Therapy is okay. Stop the stigma. There's nothing wrong with someone professional helping you sort through your thoughts. (For Christians, you can have Jesus AND therapy, too.)

3. Challenge = growth. Growth is good. Push through. Pain and stress isn't forever.

(Find your voice. Don't be afraid to speak up or say no.)

4. There is no certain order to do life. Everyone is on a different journey and at different paces. Focus on your own, stop comparing to others.

5. Social media is a big part of our lives. Consider unfollowing and muting accounts that don't make you happy. Consider unfollowing people that you don't even talk to. Follow accounts that bring joy to your every day. :)))

xoxo,

P