Refusing to be Consumed by a Timeline

I am deep in the throes of my quarter-life crisis in every possible way. At twenty-five years old, I have successfully ruled out a career in education, a career in psych, had several unsuccessful relationships, been treated for depression, changed addresses a couple of times, bought a new car, started a running regimen, and purchased a couple of really short skirts I'm certainly not brave young enough to wear. All in the past two years.

So, when I happened upon the article "30 Things You Don’t Have to Have By 30" on The Daily Muse recently, my heart melted. I wasn't alone in my confusion. Although my panic certainly isn't unwarranted (a steady income to go along with my pretty Bachelor's degree wouldn't suck), it also doesn't have to consume me.

The post charmed me instantly: "Is life about checking some items off a list? No. It’s about living—in whichever way and on whatever timeline works for you."

Some of the "items" the author assures me I'm okay without? 

"A child. Or a pet. Or even an herb garden."
"Your dream job. Or even an idea of what that might be."
"A 'bedroom set.'"
"An answer to, 'Where do you see yourself in five years?'"
"The ability to turn down 2-for-1 margaritas at Happy Hour."

And my favorite: "Any idea of what the future will hold. As GloriaSteinem puts it: 'I want to say to you that there is life and dreams and surprises after 30—and 40, and 50, and 60, and 77! Believe me, life is one long surprise.'"

 So, although I have handled my decisions and inadequacies quite capriciously so far (hence the blog title,) I am becoming more and more confident every day that I am okay with that. Quit my day job (again) without much reason or explanation for the general public? Sure. Run away on a mini-vacay for the weekend without enough money in my bank account to support much more than the gas money there? You betcha. Because I’m going to be happy on my own schedule and in my own slightly neurotic way.