Today I was talking to a friend about education. The stress, the journey, and why we even feel like it's important. Of course maybe the answer is simple: education is true power, and the only way to succeed in life. I am about to turn twenty-two years old. The stress I put on myself is annoying. I put the stress of sobriety, of good grades, of making and saving money, and of making good health choices, and staying pretty, and making sure I give back to the community, all while growing as an individual. I do not want to sit here and have a temper-tantrum, but I think I just might.

I look around and see which of my peers might have a better life than mine. Who is working harder, who is doing more, what are their majors and do they have any important jobs/internships lined up. I look at my friends who go out and party and I tell myself I do not want to be like that, sloppy forgetful and smelly, and yet it is still something I crave.

I start scrolling on my Instagram, looking at men I find more attractive than me and jealousy comes up, I go on Facebook and look at an old friend who I might still have a grudge against and hate comes up. Then, in my mind. while all of this is going on, part of me says I should be doing something productive, reading writing, meditating. All of this can happen in a matter of minutes.

This is what it is like to be in the millennial generation. Access to information always, comparing and contrasting ourselves by images or by fame and fortune. Why is it we have it ingrained in our minds that the only way to have true happiness is to have more money than the next guy. I really do think this is a lie that is almost as serious as poison.

Because of our capitalist society, being financially responsible is always a good idea, but to believe it is the only path to happiness is crazy. However, I say this not knowing what that answer is. I do believe that it is not about money or how you look or how many likes you get on Instagram, no matter how good it feels. There is always something that is much more powerful than the material. I am not sure where it was taught to us, but I am sure it is a lie.

We only make something beautiful because we were either told it was, or we tell ourselves it is beautiful. For me I know that beauty is self-satisfaction. I need to do things in my life that make me feel whole and satisfied. I worry that others may pretend to feel that way, and that is dangerous. Education is important, but maybe we need to rethink what we should be educated on.