While you're still young

So, its obvious I'm obsessed with my youth. But I can't really help it. I had a long talk with my sister the other day and I think about this all the time anyways. People, mostly older people who "have lived" and want to share their wisdom, try to tell me all about saving money and being realistic and yadda yadda yadda. Well ya know what? I don't really feel like being completely realistic all the time. I like to dream, I like to imagine what my life could be and believe that I can make it happen for myself. Why do the old feel the need to crush the souls of the young? Is it because they are bitter? Is it because they feel they've been around the block and are trying to be helpful?

I know that life is tough. Trust me. I get it. I'm a smart young adult. But I also know myself. I know my determination. I know my desires. I know my limits and I know what I'm capable of. On second thought, sometimes I dont think I give myself enough credit for what I may be capable of. I think we are all much more capable than we think we are. But thats another post.

Here's the thing. I know its important to save money. Yes, I have a retirement savings plan through my job. I have had one since I got a job after graduating college. I get it. I also know its important to have money saved "just incase!" Well, thats a lot harder than it sounds. I dont make enough to put aside 3 months worth of emergency funds or whatever is suggested. And to boot, I'd rather enjoy myself than have all this money just sitting there not being used.

This is what I know, and what I'm really getting at. Life is short. Yes, I am planning for my future as one of these brilliant older adults. I'm practical enough to know to think ahead like that.

But what if I don't make it that far? Nobody can say whether or not theyre going to live long enough to be considered old. Shouldn't we be doing what we love and chasing our dreams now while we still can? The what-ifs in life are too great to put off living the life you want for yourself. I should be able to take chances. I should be able to see the world. I should be able to change jobs and move around until I find where I am most happy. I should be able to change my mind as much as I want. And I should be able to do it without older people judging my choices. There's so much responsibility ahead, and I want to handle it my own way. I used to think I needed to have my everything planned out. I'm really feeling like thats not a real thing. Maybe John Mayer is right(even if also kind of creepy and weird). "There's no such thing as the real world..."

Everytime I even just say "you know what I'd love to do..." I get bombarded with questions and statements like "Why do you want to do that?" "How are you going to do that?" "That's not going to be easy." "Well let me tell you..."

Sheesh.

The time to live is now. You may not understand my choices, my dreams. That's okay. Not everybody wants to live their life like me. Just do me a favor, and I'm going to steal from Lost here,

"Don't tell me what I can't do"