Calling all Millennials! Have you ever caught yourself wondering about your career vs life choices?
I remember waiting to do a lot of things when growing up. I used to sketch fashion designs, very poorly if I’m honest. I had planned to study and work as a nurse in the Navy. I even did some modelling gigs.
We, millennials, grew up being pushed by society to know what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives before turning 18.
But let’s be honest, I’m 35 years old and still questioning what I want to be when I grow up… lol
It’s rare to find people who know early in life what they want to do and never question their choices throughout life. I started my bachelor’s in tourism management when I was 18, took a leave of absence, and came back to graduate, only to pursue another degree in marketing.
I have been working in international education for as long as I can remember, but fashion was always a subject running in the back of my mind.
If I want to quit my job and choose a different pathway, anything, what would I do?
I took a different pathway in life, but I often ask myself If I want to quit my job and choose a different pathway, anything, what would I do?
I’ve been on the internet since 2010, between blogs, YouTube and all the social media channels. I allowed life to deter me from pursuing what I truly liked. Being on the internet wasn’t considered a full-time job back then. Now the “what ifs” sometimes cradle in my head like, What if I hadn’t postponed my plans? or What if I had fought to follow the pathway I dreamed of? The impostor syndrome tells me that I am not enough.
Deciding to start over in a new country was a challenge that I embraced with my arms wide open and I don’t regret it. However, I need to take a few steps back before moving forward again. And now, after 7 years of living in London, the feeling of being behind in life has returned to me.
And we know the job market is anything but kind to the over-30s crew. Even when deciding to go back to class, most of your colleagues will be younger. And the fact we are in our 30s (early or late) and starting over is a bit scary. Is the market open for us, or is it time for the new generation to shine?
We are the transition generation, who grew up during the information boom. We were raised to believe in a life path that later we would find out wouldn’t fit us all. The plan was to have a good job, a house and a family before our 30s. And if we don’t have it all, we start to blame ourselves, we feel like we are failing. But most of us are also the first generation of graduates. We started in the job market later than our parents, but we still need to run so we can catch up.
The question here is: Catch up with what exactly? Who is timing this run? What if we are so worried about having a perfect life that we are forgetting to live?
I could come up with a thousand motivational quotes saying we just need to enjoy the ride without questioning our choices, but it’s easier said than done. This post is just a thought, me venting. It’s a sign if you are going through the same, you are not alone. There’s no perfect recipe for how to experience life, but we are here helping each other!
Beautiful read. Although I myself am a 1999’s baby who is told that I neither belong to the Millennials or Gen X, I feel as though the topics you mentioned are very relatable. Especially the part where you explore the idea that the job market is difficult for over 30’s who are trying to find a new job in a different space that builds them up as a fresh mind into a professional. I’m 25, but I feel as though every year the clock is ticking where employers will value and give opportunities to recent graduates. It makes me wonder where do I belong. Your blog helps me know that I’m not the only one who feels this way, and that we can all float through life together.
Thank you for sharing Anisur! I’m constantly reminded it’s no such thing as being too old! We are starting over from experience. We can do it 🙂
You can choose your generation, come to the millennials’ side, we are nicer haha