I know how hard it is to be the odd ball out. To not fit into the entitled, reckless stereotype that is placed on our generation. I know that you often turn down events because you scrape every penny you can into savings for the future. I know that before you were twenty-five you were already contributing to your retirement and worrying about how far it would be able to take you. I know you have already planned the life you want for your kids before they’re even born. I know that you’re tired, but you’re not done. How do I know all of this? Because I’m just like you.
I am also the young twenty-something who stresses every day over setting up a future for myself and am afraid of taking any risk that might jeopardize that. There are a few things that I want you to remember over the next few years as you try even harder to ensure you have your life in order. Firstly, remember to take a break. When you are feeling overwhelmed and unable to function anymore, listen to what your body is telling you. Even if it is as simple as a twenty-minute nap or a carefree night out with friends, know that it is okay. Taking a break doesn’t mean you’re giving up or that you are unable to continue. It simply means that you have fought hard enough to deserve some down time.
That being said, you also need to remember to live it up. I often have a hard time with this myself. You convince yourself that a responsible person wouldn’t be taking a trip on a whim with friends or buying that new handbag that you’ve been drooling over. Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t things I recommend you do on a daily basis, but I do recommend that you do them. Before you know it you’ll have kids and a spouse and you’ll be living the life you worked so hard for. However, you’ll realize that while you were busy preparing your future you forgot to live your past. Spend a little more time making memories to tell your children about and a little less time worrying about how you’ll pay for their college.
Lastly I would like to ask something of you. I would like to ask that you remind yourself every day that you’re doing enough. I know it doesn’t always seem like it and you feel like you should be so much closer to your goals than you are, but you can’t be so hard on yourself. A ton of people your age don’t even know what a 401k is let alone are contributing to it. So always remember that you’re doing so much better than you give yourself credit for.
Take risks while you still have the excuse of being young and irresponsible! Enjoy these years while you have them because you never know what day might be your last and I can promise you don’t want your last day to be spent worrying about what insurance plan will allow the best benefits for your budget. Remember everything will be okay in the end and you are doing just fine.
