Don't Settle For Anything. Or Should You?
Start writing a post
Relationships

Don't Settle For Anything. Or Should You?

What actually defines settling?

25
Don't Settle For Anything. Or Should You?
Morgan Chappuis

One of the biggest mantras of 20-somethings is to not settle. Don't settle for a bad job, don't settle for a boring book, don't settle for a mediocre life. While the sentiment of living a life that makes you happy is good, the idea of not settling has raised a lot of questions in my mind.

1. Who decides if I'm settling?

If someone else tells me that I'm settling, that means I'm not living the life theywant to live. I'm not using the phone, car, or computer they want to. Not only that, but it would mean that we all have the same likes and dislikes. However, this is not the case, so how can anyone else tell me if I'm settling?

2. What if I have to settle?

There are certainly some aspects of life where you don't have a choice but to settle. Sometimes, you have to make compromises in your life. You may have to deal with a bad, minimum wage job for a few months while you save money to move out and find a full time job. You may have to settle for a different job than you went to school for just because the field isn't hiring at the time. Is it so bad to make these compromises and settle a bit?

3. Does it count if things turn out better?

It's happened before (and it's bound to happen again) that when you settle for one thing, life turns out better than if you didn't. You may have settled for that minimum wage job, sure, but if you didn't, would you have met your work friends? Would you have talked to them about different hobbies? Would you have been able to discover your new passion? Does settling for that minimum wage job count if, through it, you found you what you really want to do?

4. When will I know if it was settling?

There are times when it's very obvious that you didn't settle. If you went into your boss' office, asked for a raise, and got it, then it's obvious you weren't going to settle for less than you deserved. But go back to that minimum wage job where you discovered your passion. That wouldn't happen immediately, as that sort of discovery takes time. How long should you wait before you know if you're settling for a bad job? Will you ever really know if you were settling at that job?

5. Aren't we technically always settling?

In a more pessimistic outlook, it can be argued that we're always settling. There will always be someone or something out there that is better than what we have. A new car will come out that has more impressive features than your current car. You may have a celebrity crush who is just a little bit funnier than the person you're with. If you don't make the "upgrade," aren't you then technically settling in every aspect of your life?

The idea of not settling is wonderful. It makes you work to live your happiest life. However, it's all a matter of opinion. Whether or not you upgrade your phone is a personal preference, not a definite act of settling. Staying where you are in your job may be a logical move made to help later when you want to advance.

Settling is all about opinion. So maybe we should tell people to work towards being happy instead of saying not to settle. It's a bit easier to tell when someone is happy than when they're settling.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

44955
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28367
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

952993
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

156723
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments