Why I Chose Self-Care Over College: A Gen Z Perspective

I remember the moment like it was yesterday. I was standing at a crossroads, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, the pressure to conform, to fit neatly into the box society had built for me. “You need to go to college,” they said. “It’s the only way to make something of yourself.” The words echoed from family, teachers, friends—people who meant well, no doubt, but who seemed to be reading from a script I wasn’t sure I wanted to follow. It was as if everyone had already decided what my life should look like, but they weren’t the ones living it. I was. And in that moment, I made a decision that would change everything: I chose self-care over college.

It wasn’t a choice I made lightly. Growing up as a Gen Z kid, the importance of higher education was drilled into us from the start. It was presented as the golden ticket, the path that would ensure success, financial stability, and a life worth living. But somewhere along the way, the glitter of that golden ticket started to dull for me. I began to wonder, what good is success if it comes at the expense of your mental health? What’s the point of following a path if it leads to burnout, anxiety, and a sense of constant overwhelm?

This realization didn’t happen overnight. It crept in gradually, during those long nights of studying for exams that I wasn’t even sure I cared about. I’d sit there, staring at textbooks, feeling like a robot, just going through the motions. I wasn’t learning; I was memorizing. I wasn’t growing; I was surviving. And the more I pushed myself, the more exhausted I felt. My mental health was deteriorating, but I was too afraid to admit it. After all, what would people think if I said that I didn’t want to go to college?

But eventually, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The stress was unrelenting, and my anxiety was through the roof. I felt like I was living someone else’s life, following a script that wasn’t written for me. And that’s when I realized: I had to put myself first. I had to prioritize my well-being. It was either that or continue down a path that was slowly chipping away at my sense of self.

When I made the decision to focus on self-care instead of enrolling in college, I was met with mixed reactions. Some people were supportive, but others looked at me like I had just announced I was moving to Mars. “You’re throwing away your future,” they’d say. “You’ll regret it.” The doubts started to creep in. Was I making a huge mistake? But deep down, I knew I was doing what was right for me. And in the end, that’s what mattered most.

Choosing self-care didn’t mean I gave up on learning or growing. Quite the opposite. I just chose to do it on my own terms. Instead of spending four years in a classroom, I threw myself into the real world, soaking up knowledge and experiences that no textbook could have ever given me. I started my own small business, freelanced on the side, and explored creative projects that set my soul on fire. For the first time in a long time, I felt alive.

I learned how to be adaptable, how to solve problems, and how to be resourceful. And trust me, these skills are just as valuable—if not more—than a degree. I discovered passions I didn’t even know I had, and I nurtured them, allowing them to blossom in ways that never would have happened if I had stayed on the traditional path. The freedom to carve out my own path felt liberating in a way I can’t fully explain. It gave me a sense of control over my life, something I had never truly experienced before.

But it wasn’t just about the career stuff. It was about me. For the first time in my life, I had the space and time to really figure out who I was. I dove deep into self-reflection, asking myself the tough questions: What makes me happy? What do I value? What kind of life do I want to live? And with each answer, I felt more and more at peace with my decision. I realized that prioritizing self-care wasn’t selfish; it was necessary. I couldn’t be the best version of myself—whether that was as a friend, a family member, or a future professional—if I was constantly running on empty.

I won’t lie, there were tough moments. There were days when I doubted myself, when I felt like maybe I should have just followed the crowd and gone to college. But those moments were fleeting. Because each time I paused and looked at how much I’d grown, how much I’d learned, I knew I had made the right choice. I had built a life that felt true to me, a life that prioritized my mental health, my happiness, and my unique path to success.

If you’re reading this and you’re at your own crossroads, wondering whether to follow the traditional path or step off the beaten trail, let me offer you this: it’s okay to choose yourself. It’s okay to prioritize your mental health over society’s expectations. It’s okay to take a step back and say, “This isn’t working for me.” Because at the end of the day, no one else is living your life but you. And you deserve to live a life that feels authentic to who you are, not a life that’s designed to please others.

This doesn’t mean that higher education isn’t valuable. For some people, it’s the perfect path. But it’s not the only path. There are so many ways to learn, to grow, to build a life that you’re proud of. And if the traditional route doesn’t feel right for you, that’s okay. You have options. Explore online courses, seek out mentors, dive into real-world experiences. Trust me, the learning never stops—it just looks different. And sometimes, different is exactly what we need.

So, here’s my challenge to you: take a deep breath and ask yourself, “What do I really want?” Not what your parents want, not what your friends think is cool, not what society says you should do. What do you want? And once you have that answer, don’t be afraid to go after it, even if it means stepping off the traditional path. You deserve a life that makes you happy, a life that’s built around your well-being, your passions, and your unique journey. Don’t settle for anything less. Start today, and watch as your life unfolds in ways you never thought possible.