Yesterday, someone in my family said it again — not directly, but I could feel it. That silent judgment.
The kind that says, “You’re doing nothing with your life.”
And the worst part? I’ve started believing it too.

I’ll turn 21 this summer, and from where I belong, it feels like the dreamy teenage bubble I was living in has been popped by the responsibilities that have been forced on me by the people around me. And the worst thing is that the “I don’t care” or “ignore everything” attitude isn’t going to work.

Because when you see people around you achieving things while you’re still in one place, it’s almost difficult to ignore. Now, some of you might think that I should work, but sometimes it’s the circumstances too. I myself belong to a middle-class family, and for me, following the same paths won’t be easy.

So is this blog all rant?

The answer is NO. I know there are many people like me around the world who are facing the same issues — wanting to go to college, but their financial conditions stop them from living their dreams. That feeling where you want to do something, but what can you do with no qualifications?

This might sound like a small issue, but this one thing can leave a mental scar that stays with you forever — this feeling of negligence and self-doubt.

Why Does This Issue Need to Be Discussed?

Let me be straightforward with you — the age we’re in right now is when we shape our perspective on life. The mindset we build today is going to affect our future decisions. The negative clashes we face can affect our trust in our decisions and in ourselves.

Sometimes, people don’t really say things for our own good; they’re just passing on the trauma they experienced when they were our age and we’re not even realizing it. We are feeling lost in our 20s because of all the negativity they are feeding us in the name of care. 

But listen.

You’re Not Alone.

Even though I’m the same age as you, there’s one thing I’ve experienced that I just want to share with you all. I want you to listen with your heart open.

These days, I feel like the old me has died under responsibilities. But something I’ve realized and want you to know is that the teenage you is still within you. The one who was confident and eager to enjoy every aspect of life. It’s just that the teenage you is getting wiser, not lost, not useless, just wiser.

But the clashes we face are forcing us to feel lost and useless. Sometimes it’s not even us, it’s the noise around us trying to confuse us. So stop doubting yourself, your choices, and your worth. Instead of comparing your journey with others, start comparing it with where you once began.

There is no definite definition of success. To be honest, by comparing, you can never feel successful. True success is being able to sleep with ease and wake up with a smile. Because what will any amount of money do if you stop enjoying yourself? Life is precious, enjoy it. Stop giving importance to people who have turned themselves into zombies.

We’re not wasting time, we’re figuring out what’s best for us. We don’t want to be among those who let others make their life choices.

Let me be clear here, always stay open to guidance, but question the source. Adults are there to guide us, and that’s important. But think of it like this, if I give you a cup of water in a restaurant, you would at least ask whether it’s tap water or filtered, right? Because you care about your health. In the same way, the guidance you receive should also be questioned at its source.

At the end

Maybe we’re not behind. Maybe we’re just on a different timeline.

And maybe this year isn’t about becoming someone new, but becoming more of who we already are.

So take your time. Grow at your own pace.
This is your glow-up, and it doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.