Time has become such societal construct. The idea that everyone is on the same strict timeline and that you have to have your life in order by a specific age is exhausting, not to mention very unrealistic.
We’re told as children and teens that everyone grows and matures at their own speed. That we shouldn’t worry if someone is a head of us because we are not them and they are not us.
So why is it that when we become adults that’s no longer the case? Why at the age 22 was I being told I was “running out of time” and why did I believe I was?
I didn’t graduate high school which isn’t uncommon, it’s not ideal but it’s what happened. Once that school year was over I told myself once summer was over I would go back to school and graduate. Well one summer turned to “I’ll go next semester”. Then next semester turned into “I’ll go next year” but then that turned into another year. Which turned into another year, but then that turned into “Maybe I’m to late?”.
I was 22. My friends were already years into their post-secondary, working in their dream jobs or starting a family. Then there was me, with nothing to show but the words uttered to me many times “you’re running out of time”.
In reality my life was only just starting but overwhelmingly I thought this was the only life I was allowed to have.
I know when people say “you’re running out of time” they mean it in a supportive way. It’s an attempt at giving a gentle “push” to try and work for something better. To me and most it’s nothing more then another notch of anxiety.
When you’re at your lowest you have an “ah-ha!” moment. This moment came after I told myself I was past the point of no return to graduate high school. It came after I quit my job at a fast food restaurant. It came after I was let go from 2 jobs, one of which I had thought I perhaps found a career in. This moment happened when I was no longer surrounded by those who told me I was running out of time but surrounded by people who only cared if I was happy where I am in life.
At the age of 24 I walked a cross the stage at Langley Educational Center and received my adult Dogwood.
Now what? The fleeting feeling of “I’m to old”, “I’m running out of time” were plaguing my mind to the point that I lost another year. I was catching myself say “Next year I’ll go back to school”. I wasn’t till I found something that really made me realize that it’s never to late to find your beginning just make sure you find it.
You're scared to take a 4years course because you're 32 and by the time you're done, you'd be 36. Whether you take the course or not, in 4 years time you'd still be 36
— Bobrisky (@bobrisky222_) May 5, 2020
This tweet changed my whole perspective. Life isn’t defined by the age you are when you achieve milestones. You decided when the milestones are achieved. I’m now 27 and into my second year of the program of my dreams working towards the life I’ve always wanted.
I’m not the only person who decided to change their life in these last 2 years. Since the beginning of COVID19 many people found themselves without work. Although the government offered financial aid till people could go back to work many chose to use this time to start a new path.
Although many larger companies scaled back their companies and few decided to close shop entirely, this opened the door to new companies to stake their claim. During the course of COVID19 there has been a staggering two million new companies. Before Canada’s averaged was 96,000 new firms per year.
Many Post-Secondary institutes saw an influx of new student with a percentage of their returning student changing their programs.
Perhaps if your neighbour’s aren’t enough to show that no matter your age or stage in life that it’s never to late to shoot for the moon why not look at some of your favourite celebrities?
So many actors and singers we know and love weren’t that known as they are now that they are older. Tina Fey was 27 when she started writing for Saturday Night Live. Before that she was a receptionist at a YMCA taking comedy classes at night. Canadian Leonard Cohen released his First Album in 1967 when he was 33 years old.
Time will never stop moving forward, so you shouldn’t either.
It is never to early or to late to have a new beginning. You’re never to young or to old to change you’re life. Your fresh start can be New Years day or a Wednesday night in the middle May. Just don’t say close yourself off from the chance to be happy.
“The Beginning is always today” – Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
So go out, sign up from that course you’ve been thinking about. Start that business you and your friends always said you would once you had some “free time”. You’ll never have the time when you keep putting it off.
So, when are you going to start living your dream?