Planning Your Life Can Ruin It
Start writing a post
Student Life

Why Planning Out Your Life Step By Step Ruins The Point Of Living

Life is supposed to be a journey, not a checklist.

48
Why Planning Out Your Life Step By Step Ruins The Point Of Living

I have always been the girl with a plan. If you would have asked me 10 (yes, 10) years ago what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would have told the exact same thing as the degree I will be graduating with in a year. I knew what clubs I needed to be involved with, what grades I had to achieve and every move I had to make to get where I wanted to be. My mental checklist ran my life and if something went offtrack, you could expect me to go into a panic.

I had my life so planned out that I knew I wanted to be engaged by senior year of college, married within a year, have a solid five to seven years in my career field and then settle down to start a family. My kids would be out of the house by the time I turned 55 and my husband and I would retire shortly after to enjoy some traveling. That was my life, start to finish. Except it doesn't matter how much you plan, because life has a tendency to take its own course.

As it turns out, following a simple step-by-step plan for your life is hard af. The universe throws in little surprises along the way. Like hey, as it turns out, your college relationship will end up being long distance and you probably won't be engaged before you get your degree. Whoops. Oh and also? There are no jobs in reporting journalism, so if you want to eat more than ramen for the next 40 years, you should probably look into the strategic communications end of your degree.

My life is not following the plan I made for it, but that is something I have taught myself to be okay with. As it turns out, I love public relations more than I ever loved reporting. I'm excited to move back to my hometown and in with my significant other, even if the ring is not on my finger yet.

It is perfectly fine to be an organized, goal-driven individual. But it is not okay to ruin your life and stress yourself out over a plan that was never meant to work out in the first place. Life is meant to be a journey, not a step-by-step plan to get to your destination. In the end, all that matters is whether or not you are happy. And trust me, stressing out over a stupid list that you cannot actually control won't make you happy.

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

12070
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.

943359
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.

120870
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
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments