Have you ever wondered if there’s a path? A pre-set route and end destination that you will inevitably follow?
I always believed that there was a route for everybody, that that decision the coffee-breath and brown corduroy teachers force you to make at the tender age of sixteen. At sixteen, I was more worried about if Jo Smith* fancied me and what I was going to wear to prom! Life plan? Pfft… pink ruffle dresses and Bucks Fizz please.
Ok, so I was never into the ruffle movement, but that’s beyond the point!
Why the hell are we forced to make these life shaping decisions at such an age? We don’t know what we want. Hell, I’m 21 and I still don’t know what I want!
(Although, those shoes in the Next catalogue do look very appealing….)
I always followed the natural progression in education; GCSEs, A Levels, Uni. Got to uni, didn’t like it, dropped out.
What a wonderful waste of time and money that was.
But with so many other people doing the same, it makes me wonder if this is our path or what we perceive as the path?
I followed the path and ended up not particularly liking it and six grand worse off for it. It’s not so much the money, I consider it an extremely expensive learning curve. The experience taught me not to follow expectations and listen to myself, not to worry too much about what other people think because ultimately, you only have to answer to yourself.
It also follows the old philosophy that for everything you lose, you gain something. Without following that progression path I wouldn’t have taken a job I would never have applied for and fell in love with it. Without following that progression path I wouldn’t have moved on from one man to another, an instant upgrade, who is so different to what I have ever gone for. I’m so used to having men who do what they’re told and have an extremely laid back approach to life (so laid back they’re almost horizontal), that it’s quite refreshing to have someone challenge me every now and again.
And, if you’re reading this, said man, then do not take that as permission to constantly argue with me… I’m still always right.
The point is, the path is still there. I was so worried when I was unemployed that I had strayed from the path, when really it was only the road signs I couldn’t see. I’m past the crossroads in my life now and I’m following an alternate route, looking forward because if I look back then I’ll crash into a car…. or a badger.
Just take it one step at a time, follow the signs and watch out for the manic drivers on the road. If all else fails, stop and ask for directions… everyone needs a little help every now and again, even men.
Till next time x
