‘Late’ bloomer, but still blooming
“Do you have kids?” my pedicurist asked. “No,” I answered, already knowing where this conversation was heading. “Oh, but you’re married, right?” she continued. I gave her a quick “nope”, hoping that it would end there. It didn’t. “How old are you?” “30,” I replied. “Oh,” she said with a pitying face and went back to minding my feet instead of my business.
This conversation is one of many similar conversations I’ve had with people not knowing what to say when they find out I’m unmarried, without kids, living at home, etc. at the big age of 30. I don’t blame them, because according to societal norms, I’m probably not where I should be at this age. I should be married by now. I should have at least one kid. I should be in some senior position. I should have a certain amount of money saved by now. I should have my own place. And the list goes on…
It’s funny then how these things seem to be the norm, but when I look around or read some of the stuff on the internet, I realize that it’s not just me who doesn’t check all the boxes.
One of the perks of living in this [sometimes too] transparent age is that when we’re not oversharing and we actually talk about life as it truly is, we’re reminded that life is different for everyone. This also means that the age at which we achieve certain things can also be different.
I may be 30, but I’m still alive and well, by the grace of God. I can still do plenty things. I can still pursue another degree if I want to. I can still switch jobs if I want to. I can still start a business. I can still travel the world. I can still buy a house. I can still get married. I can still have children. Whatever it is, as long as I am still alive and kicking, I can still do these things.
We may feel like we’re falling behind, but on whose timeline? We’re only late if we keep comparing ourselves to others; why would we even do that?!
In case you needed it, like I did, here are some quotes from people who did things ‘late’ in life.
“33, graduate school. No husband, no kids. Living at home with my mom.”
“Just graduated with my bachelors at 40 and about to start my master’s degree.”
“Graduated college at 24. Grad school & first child at 37.”
“I’m 39 and finally going to nursing school.”
“50, about to start my master’s.”
“At 36, got my dream job and house.”
“I’m 33 and just now building my career.”
