As humanity grows older, the standards of the world keep changing, putting a lot of people in confusion about whether to live for themselves or live for the world. This really shouldn't be something of confusion; living for yourself should be the choice for every individual, but so many people are going into that confused state, not knowing what to live for anymore.
This image belong to me.
I believe in living for myself; it's my desire, and I wish it were the same thing for everyone, but it isn't. So many individuals out there, especially the youth, have chosen to live for the world, therefore raising their expectations above what they can achieve at the point where they are in life, and it's pushing them into crime, depression, and anxiety, which would only worsen things.
Living for the world has pushed many to move beyond their pace, kicking them off track, and they end up in regret, wishing they had taken things pretty slow, moving at their own pace.
I noticed the absence of my friend online; he used to be active but has been silent for weeks, so I put a call across to him yesterday. I asked what's up, and he started lamenting about the situation of Nigeria. He complained about this life, how he has failed to keep up with what his mates are doing out there, and I had to listen.
So many things came to my mind while he was talking, but I only told a few of my thoughts.
Marriage, kids, a house, and a car are definitely good things for someone at 26, but there is no law that says you must have accomplished all of these things at a particular age, so even if you're 30 and haven't achieved any of these things, you have to keep trying until you can.
Compulsorily doing something at a particular time is the world's standard. You must be a graduate before 25; you must be this and that is not a law; we just feel that's the right time. What if those things don't happen at that time? Does that make you a failure?
A long time ago, I read the story of a woman who returned to school for a degree at over 50 years of age. It was her dream, but she couldn't achieve it when everyone else did, but she fulfilled the dream when she could.
Because you can't afford a car now doesn't mean you can't do it later but thinking that you are a failure because you can't meet up with the world's timing is the problem. It will poison your mind and might even push you off the track.
It's good to look at your mates who have achieved those things for motivation and not competition, don't let the society pressure get to you.
When I was delayed in furthering my education, I felt the same way until I met those who were older than me in school. They didn't stop trying to achieve that thing, whether the world thinks it's too early or late, and that's what everyone should be doing instead of brooding or falling into depression.