More to Life

Often times, college students (DEFINITELY myself) stress over what they want to do in life. It’s the battle of finding a major and career path of something you’re passionate about or interested in and something that suits your strengths and maximizes your productivity in society. Something that’s also cost and time affordable when in and out of school. On the other hand, some know exactly what they want in life. They’ve narrowed their path and have a strict and pretty much set plan.

I wish that were the case for me, but what I’ve realized from talking with many middle-aged to senior adults is that the type of diploma you earn doesn’t guarantee or limit you to specific jobs, career fields, or opportunities. Life is short but life can also be experienced in different ways. Maybe you’ll work in the health care field for a few years then end up taking a 180 and writing for a magazine. Maybe you leave school with a health management degree, but instead pursue accounting. Or maybe you leave school with a certain degree and are unable to get your dream job which is why you originally got the degree you did.

Life isn’t all about work, and I’ve learned this from the Europeans. Unlike the European customs such as siesta... the US is so focused on work that sometimes it can be hard not to be consumed with it. Some may live to work, but I’d rather live a life of balance than work myself to death. At the end of life I’d rather see flashbacks of memories with friends and family rather than me working at a desk, crying from exhaustion, and yelling at my kids because I’ve used all my positive energy at work. Don’t misinterpret this as saying work less, but work with the knowledge of knowing that there’s more to life than a job and that in most cases, as an employee/staff member you're dispensable whereas to your kids, family, and friends, there’s no one that can replace you.

XOXO,

Alyssa Ashley

#LIFE