Some might say I wasted that decade. Threw my twenties away. They might be right–
— but they might be wrong.
If I could pass on a single life lesson to anyone, it would be this:
Whoever you are, wherever you are, please put aside that time to find yourself.
Because happiness is tricky. Everyone’s searching for the secret to happiness. And, no, I’m not going to reveal the secret to happiness in five hundred words or less. But I do want to share this observation. As I’ve met folk and shared stories, I keep being reminded of this:
It is never a waste to find ourselves.
I’d say do it sooner than later, but it is also never too late. I chose to find myself first, and if you are still able to do that, I’d encourage it. But some of find ourselves in our forties, after our first marriage. Or in our sixties, after we’ve built our professional selves– and want to know who we are outside of the boardroom. It’s never too late, either.
But while it may never be too late, it is certainly never too early. Don’t wait until you are “ready.” Until you have the job, the house, the kids. You matter must.
“while it may never be too late, it is certainly never too early. Don’t wait until you are “ready”.”….that’s the plain truth! I didn’t get serious about this until my 60’s and it took a traumatic brain injury to make it happen. No, it wasn’t too late, but it was damn close!
Thank you for your honesty and your warning to others. It’s not that it is “too late,” exactly, but, after all, you never get that time back. There are only two things I think anyone should wait on, marriage (legal commitment, you sure you want to give away your financial autonomy) and kids (no turning back and that partner is with you for LIFE, is this someone you’re okay having to talk to for 18 years and probably more?).
Understanding yourself? Never too early for that!
I’m glad you finally made that leap!