I am a massive fan of Elle magazine. I have been for years
and probably will be for many years to come. To show my love, I am not ashamed
to say I collect the front covers of every issue I buy and have even framed a
couple of my favourites. Their articles are interesting, intelligent and
informative giving you an opinion or perspective on life’s issues .I usually
feel inspired/ agree with their arguments and opinions but this time I’m not so
sure.
For me to disagree with an article from Elle magazine is a
rarity, and so I felt compelled to write about it.
In this month’s issue there is an article written by Dr. Meg
Joy, a doctor of psychology who discusses the need for 20-something women to
get a hold of their lives and basically ‘grow up’. Get that education, dump that
loser, move countries, get THAT career. “Take your 20’s seriously” she says,
everything you do or don’t do now will affect later life. Later life will
present limitations where you won’t be able to do the things you wanted to do
in your 20’s.
To some extent I do
agree, be proactive, make something of your life but why take your 20’s
seriously? Don’t we live in an age now where life limitations no longer exist? Aren't we emancipated women who can do anything we want whenever we want? I
don’t think our 20’s should be THE defining decade of our life, EVERY decade
should be a defining decade.
My mum, a woman I admire very much, moved countries TWICE
(along with my Dad and us kids), received 2 degrees and changed her career all
over the age of 30. She didn't let her 20’s slip through her fingers because
she got married and made the family that she always wanted. However she didn't get bogged down and think she
had to do all of her life’s “achievements” in one decade.
If my mum has taught me one thing, it’s that there is no
rush. Do the things you want to do when you want to do them. Do what makes you happy. If you take
everything seriously you will never have any fun because you will be forever
fretting over what the next move is.
In the article Dr Meg
says whatever you do in your 20’s will make you memorable and relevant later
on. Frankly I don’t want to be memorable, I want to have memories. My memories
are what are memorable to me and my life and no one else.
Not everything needs to be done at once, live a little. Climb up to the top of the highest tree during an epic thunderstorm......okay maybe we shouldn't live that much but if you want to swim with the dolphins then go and swim with the dolphins.
If people judge you because you are going against “society’s” rules then sod ‘em. Those people are probably jealous and probably wish they weren’t so concerned with doing everything ‘right’ and in the right order.
We only get one life, so don’t you think you should actually live it??
Yours always,
Miss P x
