Is There An Equation For The Rest Of Our Lives?
Start writing a post
Student Life

Is There An Equation For The Rest Of Our Lives?

I refuse to let my numbers define me.

95
Is There An Equation For The Rest Of Our Lives?
Song Of The Road

Growing up, math was always my favorite subject. There was a right answer and a wrong. There were no ifs, maybes or buts. Everything had a place and everything had a meaning. But as I’ve grown older, my love for numbers has been lost and my curiosity for the uncertainty has grown. I have lost interest in equations and the numbers and I fell in love with the unknown.

We are defined every day by our numbers: our age, our weight, the number of friends we have or the likes we get on social media are constantly being analyzed and judged by others. So, because everyone seems to be so interested in other people's personal business, I'll tell you mine.

My numbers:

I have had one therapist analyze me.
I have kissed two different genders.
I have completed two and a half years of college education.
I’ve been in love three times.
I have a 3.7 GPA.
I work four jobs.
I am a size 5.
I am 5’9.
I wear a size 8.5 in shoes.
I have moved nine times.
I am 20-years-old.
I got a 29 on my ACT.
I weigh 138 pounds.
I am friends with 1,072 people on Facebook.
I have made a million mistakes.

So what do you think? What do they all mean? I mean, where do these numbers take me? Is there an equation I can fit these numbers into and the output will be my future?

Try this:

[(Age x Years of college) – Love interests) + (# of friends on FB/weight) + (ACT score + GPA)] x 1,000 = your salary for the rest of your life

That's your number. There you go. You don't get a say, that is your salary for the rest of your life and you cannot alter it no matter how hard you try. Don't like it? Too bad, that's your own fault for having bad numbers.

Don't worry, I made that equation up. But doesn't it seem like that’s the way our society categorizes people? By our numbers. I refuse to believe in the equations. I refuse to believe that my numbers make me anything more or less than the person sitting next to me. I refuse to believe that there is a strict equation that you must get correct in order to reach your full potential.

We use numbers in math because there is an exact answer. There is a right answer for the area of a building or the circumference of a ball. But there is no right answer for the rest of your life; there is no set equation where you can "plug and chug" the numbers.

Because here’s what really matters:

My outlook on life.
The way I treat others.
My ideas.
My attitude.
The effort I put into my relationships.
My memories.
My adventures.
My happiness.
My feelings.
My thoughts.
My actions.
My love.
My health.
My failures.
My accomplishments.

Me.

You are not the number of people you have loved or your test scores. You are not your weight or your height. You are not your likes on social media or the number of friends you have. You are not your numbers.

You are so much more than that. And I just hope we can get to a place in our society where we can all acknowledge, accept and embrace that.

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.

40708
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?

25293
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.

950891
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.

133012
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