;

Lately I have been having very deep conversations with some close friends that are going through some tumultuous times. At one point, I asked my husband what advice I should be providing and he stated tell them what they need to hear and what is the right thing to do. That just didn’t sit well with me and I found I could not offer that type of advice. See for me, there is no what you are supposed to do; I am as unconventional as they come. There is not a traditional bone in my body. I believe we are programmed to believe we all are supposed to follow the same path – go to college, marry, buy a house, have kids, and work until retirement. I know many successful people that have skipped several of these steps and are happy with no regrets. I do not believe in the so called “American Dream”, it simply does not exist in my mind.

So why is it that we all feel we have to follow the same path or be viewed negatively if we do not? I know we all have been pressured at one time or another to conform to society’s standards.  But why?  Is there really a true formal as to how to be successful in life?  And what is success anyway; isn’t that a relative term?

There is so much more to life than trying to project a perfect image. I find it exhausting to constantly be bombarded with the same old traditions year after year after year. Why not switch it up a little and let us all broaden our horizons?  Maybe if we did, there would be less closed minded individuals to deal with on a daily basis.

The “American Dream” is exhausting and a moving target. My advice to you is to simply do what is best for you at the time and not worry about anything else. If it feels right and feels comfortable and manageable, go with it and go with pride, confidence and the assurance that it will all work out for the best. FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH WHATEVER THAT PATH MAY BE!!!

Until next time, please stop following the so called “norm” and just do what is best for you and your circumstances!

~ Mara Prose