Stop. Stop being afraid to do things. Stop being afraid to say how you feel. Stop being afraid to like something because someone else might judge you for it. Just stop.
It's time to start.
Start living, learning, laughing, dreaming. Start doing the things that scare the shit out of you because that's how you're going to get any satisfaction out of this life you're given.
It breaks my heart when I have people tell me about their dreams and things they want but are too afraid to go get. They fear being judged or ridiculed because it doesn't fit into their perfect ten-year plan. You know what I say to that? Fuck it. Fuck your plan and fuck what other people think. So you have the next ten years of your life mapped out from medical school to when you'll get married, cool. You do you and that's fine. Just don't be afraid to live and experience. You want to take a random weekend getaway? Do it. You want to spend a night out drinking with your buddies, do it. You want to write a book? Hell, do it! So what if it doesn't fit into your timeline. Having a timeline is nice as long as you aren't afraid to venture off a little. It's also important to remember that timelines can change and that's totally okay.
It's ridiculous to think that 18 year old you knew exactly what he wanted for the next ten years of his life. People's wants and needs change every day. You found the guy or girl of your dreams but your timeline said you can't find the special someone for another two years, then what? You let them go and say it's the right person but the wrong time? No. You give it a shot. You want to take acting classes because you think it'll be fun but your timeline says you have no time for things that don't relate to where you want to be in ten years, so what? You just skip out on something fun that would make you happy now because it doesn't effect your future? No. If you spend your life planning for your happy future you're going to miss out on having a happy now.
Do you want to be that person who misses out on things because you were so focused on getting to where you wanted to get to? Life throws you curve balls and it's okay to catch them. You don't owe anyone an explanation for what you decide to do either. Don't coast through life like a robot on a mission. It's okay to laugh, have fun, dream and want something you didn't know you wanted before you mapped out the rest of your life. Your favorite ice cream flavor may be chocolate chip and you get it every single time but one day you see something new and you want it, do you pass it up for the chocolate chip you've known and enjoyed your whole life? No. You try something new, you change it up.
I'm not saying don't become that doctor or lawyer or teacher you wanted to become. I'm saying don't be afraid to change it up some and do things for you. I promise you that you will get to the end of your timeline, but remember there's always more than one way to get there.
