Be Proudly Young
- itsabiinspired
- Aug 12, 2019
- 3 min read
Growing up, I always hung around persons older than me and they would always make mention of my age. "You're such a baby", "you're sooo young", "oh I'm so much older than you", "you have so much to learn"— some said with good intentions, others said with spitefulness.
It was as if there was always a competition to see who was older. It is pretty childish but this competition I've seen with people in their 30's also. Though, I've recently found persons who are in their late twenties who think they are already too old and rather not boast about their ages. I always felt like persons liked flashing their higher age because it gave them authority. Many made me feel bad about being young, maybe because they too wish they were young.
When I felt bad for being younger than the rest I would dream of fast-tracking my age to 28 or 30, thinking that would be my prime of life. I'd be 20 and think wow I'm almost 25. If persons asked my age I would say it underneath my breath or ask them to guess.
There is nothing embarrassing about being young. Similarly, as there is nothing embarrassing about being older. I have had to learn that each age group has their qualities, whether more experienced as an older person or so much time to experience more as a younger person.
I'm young and proud.
With all the things I've accomplished in my life already, I'm happy to be 22. It is now easier for me to say it. I'm 22 and so proud.
God's willing, being young means you have more time to accomplish a lot. I am 22 and I've done so much, so if God allows me, I still have many years to accomplish more. Being in your twenties can be frustrating. There is no manual for adulting and what we learn is a step by step process. It is especially stressful when you don't know what your next step is. When you don't know what to do first or when life changes abruptly and all plans have to shift. But it is also a blessing to grow and to make each struggle, and experience a tool for growth. Use all your experiences whether good or negative to thrust you into a reality you thought would only remain a dream.
So if you're young be proudly young. No need to rush to an age that you think you'll be happy at. Enjoy the time and use your time wisely. Don't be lazy and unproductive in your youth because you think you have all the time in the world. Time passes by so quickly. Be productive now. Make a step every day to be the person you would like to become.
And know, It is ok not to have it all together in your twenties.
Young people are not doomed.
Over the years I have had conversations with some persons from the much older generation and have heard that my generation has messed up, and we are somehow doomed.
I refuse to believe that we are doomed. The older generation has the luxury to say that because they've lived their lives. However, this generation does not have that luxury. If it is God's will and we remain healthy and live a full life, we should have no other option but to try to make the world better as we know it can be. It is our responsibility to take care of what we have now. Our generation is not doomed. We definitely have not been doing all wrong. As a matter of fact, we've done some spectacular things. We've learned to have a voice and stand up for what we believe in. We've learned to create new atypical professions and therefore create opportunities.
We've learned to put our feet down on certain discrimination. Women are stepping up, men are stepping up. Young people are making moves. We are certainly not doing everything right but we're making more than headway. In our generation we've witnessed a black president, we have social media influencers, many women in high positions and even green building. We have so much hope and so much to offer! And it is for us as young people to prove to ourselves and everyone else that this world has so much greatness coming our way.
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