One-size-fits-all.
Adjective. Defined by Oxford Dictionary as something that is “suitable for or used in all circumstances.”
Usually this term is used in regards to items of clothing that are seemingly designed to fit everyone. However, as most have learned from experience, one-size-fits-all usually never is the case. It’s more of a “one-size-fits-some” scenario.
For example, when I, a quite small individual, tries on a “one size fits all” blouse, I usually end up wearing a shirt dress. For a taller or larger person, this supposed-to-be blouse might be a crop-top.
We can see that the one-size-fits-all view usually never works in regards to clothing due to the fact that everyone is different in their own ways, so why would this approach ever be used for life itself?
We are told from the time we are young that the goal of every individual should be to graduate high school, attend college and receive a degree, find a job, get married, and start a family so that your children will do the same and restart the process. We are told this, and so we believe that this is how life should be for all.
However, assuming that this is the “ideal life” for every individual is certainly a flaw in reasoning.
While it is true that some do follow this lifestyle, there are many persons who take different life paths.
Many choose not to attend college and begin working from the time they graduate high school. Many do not find a job but instead create their own job and business. Many do not get married. Many do not want to have children of their own.
We have become so custom to believing that this way of life is the normal and "right" way: if you don't go to college, you will never find a job. If you don't want to get married, you're ignoring "God's purpose." If you don't want kids, you're deemed as selfish. But because personalities, preferences, and mentalities vary from person to person, how can we believe that there is an ideal lifestyle that fulfills the desire of every individual?We are not meant to be robots that all act, think, and operate the same.We are meant to be uniquely different in our choices, personalities, and lifestyles.
There is no right way to live life, and the only wrong way to live it is by conforming to the desires and expectations of others instead of your own.
Therefore, stop criticizing those who don't want to pursue the social norm: just because the life choices of another don't conform to your own or the one's that are socially accepted or "normal" doesn't make them wrong.
Life is not a one-size-fits-all scenario, and in realizing this, look to understand and fulfill your own, unique purpose rather than the one that others and society tells you to. So whether it be to pursue the assumed standard or to create your own standard, recognize and follow your true purpose instead of relying on assumed standards to create and dictate your purpose for you.
