It seems like everyone around me is getting married, engaged or is in a committed long-term relationship.
Every time I scroll through FaceBook/Instagram/Twitter, it seems like the proposal posts and wedding pictures never stop coming. Seriously, what gives?
It might seem like I'm complaining because I'm single, but I promise I'm not. I just don't see that happening for me in the next decade, marriage in particular.
You might be thinking "It's just because you haven't found the right person" or "Don't you want to grow up and grow old with someone?"
When I tell people that I don't plan on getting married in my twenties, they give me one of two reactions. They either tell me "With that attitude, you'll never get married" or "You're just 20. You don't know what you want. You'll come around."
No, I don't think I'll come around. While I'm not against marriage in your twenties, I'm just saying that it's not in my plan. My plan, however, isn't God's plan. God has the ultimate plan for my life, but that's a different subject.
I feel like today's current society has made it the norm to get married right after you get out of college, have babies in your twenties and go from there. There's nothing wrong with that, trust me. I know plenty of people that have chosen that route and are overjoyed.
I know I'm about to sound selfish, but there's so much stuff I want to do before I settle down. I want to travel the world. I want to make money for myself. I want to find myself. I want to attempt to figure out all my shenanigans before I let someone else try to deal with them.
There's a stigma around people who aren't married in their twenties. There's the assumption that something's wrong with them or that they're workaholics or that they think marriage is dumb. There's nothing wrong with a person who doesn't want to get married right away. There's also nothing wrong with not wanting to get married at all.
Do I want to be married someday?
Yes.
Do I want to have the American Dream with the white picket fence and the 2.5 kids?
Not a huge fan of picket fences and I want two kids, but yes.
Am I selfish for wanting to live my life before I get married and settle down?
Abso-freaking-lutely not.
Nothing should be rushed, especially marriage. You're spending the better portion of your life with your spouse. It's totally OK to wait until you feel like you're ready, even if you're 32.
Marriage in your twenties is like leaving the party at 9 p.m. You miss out on the rest of the night. Just remember that good things come to those who wait. Or those who choose to wait.
