Welcome to Your 20s

Throughout my teenage years, I was always extremely focused, hardworking, and dead-set on my goals for after high school. Every morning, I would wake up at 5 o'clock to start training. The training would consist of running at least three miles, an intense ab circuit, and finishing up by going to swim practice. Afterwards, it was school time, 7 straight hours of studies. My days would then be rounded up by a second swim practice or swim meet depending on the day. I'd finally make it back home around 9:00 p.m. to do homework, eat real quick, and crash. Rinse and repeat for 4 years. All of this hardwork and training was leading up to the moment that I would get sworn-in and join the Marine Corps. For more background information, both of my parents were in the Corps and this was what was expected of me. Fast-forward to high school graduation, where I graduated with honors and with a Marine Corps contract.

In the fall, I started school at a Military College. I had completed all the training requirements for the first year, broke up with my high school sweetheart, and changed my mind completely on my career choices. All my life leading up to this moment, I had only been given one choice for what to do with my life. As a middle child, and a daughter, I felt everything I did had to be done in order for my parents to be proud of me. As an adult now, with only about a year left to finish up my college degree, I had finally decided to take things into my own hands. I graduated college in only two years, with honors, and without a Marine Corps contract.

(To add some clarification, I hold nothing against the Corps or what it stands for, in fact I sincerely enjoy volunteering my time to help Marines whenever I am able.)

During my time at college, I had several realizations and revelations about the way of the world and my way in it. The first was that I did not need to continuously put myself into my parents' shadow to get their approval. The second was although my parents' approval was a nice thing, it was not a necessity for my own happiness. And lastly, my true ambition in life was the be a teacher, a wife, and a mother.

Now that we are completley up-to-date and in the now, I feel that I have some wisdom to pass on to the upcoming high school seniors, the freshman in college, or a 20-something year old still trying to do things for other. Stop. Take a pause. You are entering the early stages of adulthood. You are making choices, changing your mind, and redeciding every other day. That's ok, that's great in fact. Now is the time to make mistakes and change your major 4 times. Now is the time to go to a party instead of study, because now is the time to live your life. I would like to put a key emphasis on "your life". I am 20 years old and just now realizing that this life is mine for the taking. This may seem repetitive to other things young people read nowadays, but I saw a sign to share my story and if you read this it is also a sign for you.

Are you happy in your current occupation? Are you happy with your major?Your college? Whatever it is, it isn't too late to shake things up, life is too short trying to make other people happy and proud of you, when they may never be.So in conclusion, if you get anything from this at all, just remember carpe diem my young friends.

(I would also like to point out that, although this is directed at a younger audience, that this message can and will apply to an older crowd, it is never too late to make a choice for yourself.)