Shannon B.
Photography by Olivia Karczewski
If you’re reading this, you are not falling behind in life.
This letter is dedicated to those who feel behind in their life journey. Life is not a race.
I tell myself that life is not a race. I repeat it as many times as I can until I believe it. Despite this, the voice in my head insists otherwise. No matter how much I try to believe that life is not a race, I still feel like I am lagging behind – like I missed every invisible checkpoint that everyone else around me seemed to have reached. There has always been a pressure to meet certain milestones, especially in college. Everyone around me is getting new jobs, meeting new people, getting internships, and much more. It is expected of students to do as much as you can before your college journey ends. It is a struggle to stand out while thousands of students are going after the same degree I am and competing against the same goals. I feel that I am not doing nearly as much as what is expected of me. I am caught in a loop of self-doubt and unreached goals. I am happy with everything I am doing; however, I feel that itch that I should be doing more. I should be more successful, be achieving more awards, applying to more internships, and joining more clubs.
The idea of a “right timeline” is silly. Everyone is on different paths in life. Life unfolds for everyone differently. Not everyone gets the privilege to even attend college. Comparison is a cruel way to have life dictated by. Perhaps the real challenge in life isn’t catching up but accepting that I am not actually behind in my journey. That is because my journey is just as valid as those that surround me. Life isn’t about racing to an imaginary finish line, but learning to find peace in the challenges and milestones that I have achieved and look forward to achieving.
For those who relate, you are not behind. You are not failing. We are all living, learning, growing at our own pace. There is no one right way to get through life. The beauty of life isn’t how fast we can achieve our goals, but in the memories and experiences we collect along the way. Keep pushing and believing in yourself.
Shannon B., West Chester University
Connect With Us
To follow IfYoureReadingThis at West Chester University on Instagram, get in touch with our chapter, and learn about more resources available to West Cherster students, visit our chapter’s homepage.
AUTHOR CONTACT
This author has opted to allow readers who resonate with their story to contact them. If you would like to speak to the author of this letter about their experience, please use the form below.
