Advice for 25 and Beyond: Quit When You Want, Don't Let Society Decide For You

Life is not some racing track, that every start needs to have its end. There can be multiple ends to your starts. Life is all about what happens between birth (start) and death (end)- the actual loop, not a set map with a society-dictated path. Whatever you choose in the end should make you happy.

Feel no regrets or shame for making those choices. Josie Pickens, an educator, cultural critic and writer gives similar advice to every 25-year-old and beyond on Twitter. She says, quit early and often, and never anyone shame you for doing so.

Women especially are conditioned with concepts of eternal commitment and love. Women are nurtured keeping their social security in mind. The seed of dependency is sown when one is developing. The mind is nurtured in a way that quitting, moving on, or starting a new chapter is stigmatised. It is burdened with a lot of ifs and buts. We are taught to be a giver and over-invest in people, places, and things. Walk lengths to suffice other person's soul. As Pickens says that we are taught to nurture hope, potential, and promises in and from others, instead of nurturing those things within ourselves. It is so true!

Advice for 25 and Beyond Quit When You Want

In the process, one never benefits as deserved. Women are expected to become the epitome of selflessness, and sacrifice. While doing so, a lot is put at stake - your sparks, your liveliness, and your happiness. Staying out of compulsion, pouring in all you have, could drain you physically or mentally - be it your professional relationship or personal. We witness women being selfless and giving until nothing is left to offer the world but anger.

Why push oneself till rage becomes the trait? Why become bitter when one can get out of it? What stops you achieve your incomplete dreams and desires? Is it so hard to start a new one? We might have become habitual to bending according to people's will. We are afraid if we do something wrong, and it doesn't go down well with many. We are afraid to take risks. For instance, many times you are stuck at the job you hate. Have you questioned why we are afraid of taking risks?

It is embedded in our mind risk is for someone who can afford it. An ordinary girl cannot afford it. Life with regular laps is easy and convenient. We are untold, there is a life beyond a dead end.  One can burn everything to the ground, and build something new, walk a new path. But the fear of losing everything also hits hard. Sometimes fear of not having a solid back up plan also holds back. Breaking comfort zones, and fear of having negative repercussions are constantly there. However, one needs to give chance to change. For that one has to start fresh. The endings could be painful, but each ending can bring better things ahead. Change is scary, but better to make progress than endure a colourless life.

The chances are there’s something better waiting for you

Suggested Reading - Should A Woman Get Married Just Because She Is Beautiful?

Society also acts hindrance. Society's reaction to a decision puts you in a cocoon. This needs to stop somewhere because society is not living your life, you are. Stop making decisions and thinking about what people will say. If you want to take a divorce, feel free to take it. Want to change a set career, do it. Only you can write a new story of your life, and write in a way you want it. Don't hand over the autonomy to someone else. It is okay to change the path, realign, and reset!