Big Sister Advice #7

Starting this year, in addition to the Q & A, I’ll offer you some general words of wisdom, or stuff to think about, as you find helpful.

On Feeling Stuck

You know how sometimes it feels like everyone else's life is moving forward except your own? I have some thoughts to share about that.

First of all, I'll start with the big thing. You're not stuck, even though it might feel that way. The first two decades of our lives are filled with continuous milestones: new grades in school, graduations, new jobs, internships, etc. When you get to the part of adulthood where you don't have those built in milestones, it can feel like your life has stopped moving forward, especially as others in your life celebrate new jobs, marriages, new children, etc.

This is where you have to decide for yourself what you want your life to be. Create your own goals and milestones to achieve, and/or find the joy in living and being present in your life instead of always anticipating the next thing. Take stock of the things in your life that are in progress right now, even though they aren't yet bearing fruit.

Remind yourself that your life is moving forward, and think about recent examples. And most importantly remind yourself that your worth and success are not determined by the boxes that you check for others to see. What do you define as success and how do you see it in your life right now?