Ever since I can remember, I’ve always had a timeline. A general idea of what I’m supposed to be doing with my life and the time frame in which I’m supposed to be accomplishing certain things. Graduate high school. Go to a four year university. Get a degree. Find a career within a year or two after graduation.
As a junior in college, I’m beginning to have more internal struggles in regards to this plan. My friends and I discuss these struggles frequently because the time is coming where we need to decide what path we want to take. We have to consider what we want to achieve over the next – and possibly last – few years of school. We have to make massive life decisions, which is terrifying.
This brings me to the main point of my article: why are we programmed to play it so safe? Look at what I described in the first paragraph and tell me that doesn’t sound a little monotonous. We have school, school, maybe more school, and then BOOM – a career. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful for the education I’ve received because it has the potential to present me with even more opportunities in the future. Though at the same time, I think this way of thinking has the possibility to be really restrictive.
I think this concern of mine stems from genuine fear. The fear that I’m not doing anything particularly important with my life. The fear that I’m growing up without experiencing the world. The fear that I’m making decisions because they’re “safer” than taking a risk or being spontaneous.
I want to travel for fun. I want to live in California, even if it’s not permanent. I want to write a book. I want to attend Beyond Wonderland, Paradiso, and Coachella. I want to live.
I know a lot of people who play it safe because it’s better to be safe than sorry. Or people who firmly believe that these risks are greater than the reward. At what point will we realize it’s okay to take risks because the reward might be worth it? When are we going to allow ourselves to pursue adventures that we may not have time for later in life? Are we ever going to do anything outside of our comfort zones that doesn’t directly relate to our timeline from birth?
At the end of the day, I don’t have all the answers, as I expect most of us don't. If you’re outside of your comfort zone at school, good for you. If your idea of an adventure is taking an internship in New York over the summer, that’s amazing. If you want to play it safe, there's nothing wrong with that.
Just remember one thing: life is too short. Make the most of it.
Quick Note: Alyssa Ortiz, a cast member from season four of MTVs “Are You the One?,” wrote a blog post on this same topic that I highly recommend you check out! She also wrote an important caption on this Instagram post, so please take a look – it’s worth the read!
