The First Time Someone Called Me Oldfeatured

I was at a party the other day when someone told me I was old and should be married already. I was offended but then quickly smiled on the inside.

My little sister told me I don’t understand her generation and, once again, I was offended at first, but quickly realized I am grateful for where I am in life.

I’m in the middle. I’m in my late 20s trying to make sense of it all. Was my degree a complete waste of time? Is Snapchat the key to happiness? Should I be using cooler filters on Instagram? Should I be attending social networking parties? Should I be thinking about babies even though I’m clearly not ready?

All these questions and no answers. But you know what? I don’t feel too old. I don’t feel my path is better or worse than the next person. I don’t “get” Snapchat and fine, Instagram is finally growing on me…when it comes to babies, maybe I don’t even want them!

I know I’m not young enough to have excuses for everything. I am proud of how far I have come in life. I take full responsibility for my actions and I refuse to publicize my entire life. I like to maintain my privacy just in case someone Google’s me.

I have fallen. And I have fallen hard. I once thought I would be writing a bunch of books in a cabin in the woods in the middle of nowhere. Ha. I have a cabin available but I also have a mortgage now, so there goes that idea.

I have made a lot of mistakes and the 16-year-old me would probably call me a sell-out. I abide by societal norms and try my best to always stay happy and positive at all times. Well, at least when people are watching.

I’m still a tortured writer at heart, I still feel my life is in complete disarray. But I have never been prouder of my state of mind.

I refuse to give up on my dreams. I refuse to be a clock-watching robot. I put in maximum effort in all that I do and I walk free and clear of self-doubt and regret.

Maybe I am old. Maybe I’m not getting married like the rest of the 20-somethings around me. Maybe my degree was just another hurdle to cross and that’s all it will ever be. 

None of my accomplishments or life events will ever define me. What defines me is who I am today. What defines me is my strong character, my dedication, my integrity, my positive attitude, my follow-through, my loyalty, my strong work ethic, my outlook on life in general. 

I am on a journey and it is nobody’s but mine. I would rather be me than anybody else and I would rather be my age than any other age. Please call me old, it is one of the greatest compliments.

Love Deeply and Forever, 

Karen

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