You are 21 and a college graduate; in two years you must have your career rolling. By 27 you must be a newly wed and expecting a child the following year. By 30 you should have moved into your new house and have your car. Is this what you want or is this society’s expectation? Some of us have heard the expression, “Keeping up with the Joneses”; for those who have not, it basically means the need to match the lifestyle and possessions of one’s neighbor. Society has a major influence on the decisions and choices we make. It is as if we have to follow a guideline to live our lives.

Depending on your culture or background it is necessary that you accomplish certain things in a timely manner. Doesn’t it feel as if you have to rush your life through before you get to focus on you? By your mid-thirties if you don’t have a career you’re seen as a failure or too old to have a child.If you don’t have a house with a backyard and white picket fence, you haven’t lived the American Dream. It is as if you are pressured to think this way by movies, television, and magazines. Why isn’t it okay to be comfortable, take your time and enjoy your twenties, be able to be stable, be single or get to know someone?

What if you didn’t picture a future with kids? Does society make you feel guilty for that? If you are not able to keep up with the newest and expensive materialistic things you are not “well off.” Today I am here to tell you that you do not have to “keep up with the Joneses.” Life is a very interesting experience and you have time to do the things you desire. Forget about society’s expectations and do it for yourself and your family. If you get caught up in what everyone else says you can lose yourself. What’s good for everyone else might not be good for you.

It is okay to be comfortable and enjoy what you have. Having the most expensive materialistic things and being broke is not a good feeling. Be aware of the difference between a want and a need. A want is something that you do not need to have but things you like such as an iPad, new sneakers every month, etc. Needs are things such as food, shelter, etc. Separate the two and make your decisions wisely.

In today’s world you will come across many pressures about what and what not to do. You don’t have to be that “ideal” man or woman to be happy or in other words make everyone else happy. Society will eventually learn to embrace you and your flaws and if they don’t they will have to learn how to!