What is ‘the norm’ and why do we feel we have to be ‘the norm’ and do ‘the norm’? It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about.
I’ve learned over the years that it actually shouldn’t matter what others are doing, and you need to do what makes yourself happy. If you are constantly worrying about what your friends and community are doing, how are you ever going to figure out what it is that YOU want and what makes YOU the happiest and most fulfilled?
It’s very easy to get caught up in what society deems as ‘normal.’ It can be the safest route. The easiest route. However, did you ever stop to think if it’s the route you want? The route that makes you happy?
In being totally transparent here in my little corner of the web, Matthew and I are not completely certain we want kids. We love kids. We have 2 nephews and 1 niece and we couldn’t love them more if we tried. We have nothing against kids nor anything against those who have kids. We just don’t know if it’s what we want.
The ‘norm’ is to have kids. Of course it is. Most people we know have kids or are planning on having kids. And if we didn’t have kids, we would absolutely be one of the very few where we live to not have kids. Because the ‘norm’ here is to have kids. And that’s ok. That’s perfectly ok.
It can be a bit scary to feel differently than most or to do differently than those around you. It takes a lot of courage to do you and not think about what others might say or feel about your decisions. You know what, though? You have to do your very best in blocking out the noise in the background. This is your life. And you only get one. And making decisions based on other peoples’ opinions will not be the right decision in the end.
Write your story how you want it written.
Even if it’s not the typical way.
Image via Lava360