Millennials Should Be Reevaluating Their Futures | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Dear Millennials, Don't Spend Your Life With Only One Future In Mind

Break the mold of a generation with an idealistic view and blinders that limit potential

166
Dear Millennials, Don't Spend Your Life With Only One Future In Mind
Raw Pixel

In the past few months, I've found myself in some pretty enlightening conversations with my close friends about plans, the future, and how our path defines who we are. Often in these conversations, I find myself coming to one very similar conclusion: You can't spend the entirety of the time you're becoming an adult only seeing one possible future.

When it comes to the millennial generation, I feel like a major flaw we have is a lack of flexibility. We want to live in the ideal neighborhood, have the super cool creative jobs and eat all the most Instagrammable foods. The only problem with that scenario is that life just doesn't work that way. No matter how hard we search, there isn't just one clear path or one perfect life.

Maybe we can blame it on the movies or technology and how it's allowed us to have whatever we desire with a few simple clicks, or maybe it's because we've really convinced ourselves that we're that fucking good.

Most of our parents are from a generation where when they turned 18, their parents basically said: "No more free food and easy living, go do something with your life." So, in turn, our parents spoiled us rotten and told us we could play Nintendo in their basements until we "got on our feet," whatever the hell that means.

The result? A generation that nails themselves to one idealistic career, effectively equipping blinders that keep all other potential career paths far out of sight.

So how do you break the mold? It's easy, think outside of the box you forced yourself into!

Instead of applying to every job on the market in one specialty, apply to lots of different jobs that meet your qualifications. You'd likely be surprised how many job descriptions for totally different roles can match up to be quite similar when it boils down to qualifications.

When someone asks you what you do for a living, tell them not only your current career but mention you also happen to be interested in exploring something beyond that. If someone asks me what my job is I almost always reply: "I'm currently a writer but I'm really interested in pursuing a career in video game publishing." Sure, most times they'll just comment on how nice that is, but maybe one day that type of introduction will lead to something more finite.

All I'm saying here is that you if you get married to one idea for how your future should be, you'll never be prepared for the things that pop up along the way and divert that plan. I'm not advising you to steer clear of goal-setting and achieving, but I am strongly recommending you broaden your horizons when it comes to how many goals you can achieve.

Life is short, careers can pivot and you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, so don't tie yourself down!

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

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

142306
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

34598
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

30993
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments