Letter To A Young Millennial: Sometimes You Have To say F*** tradition

Dear Young Millennials,

One of the most pivotal moments of your early twenties is deciding who you will be. For some people they will follow family traditions but for many they’ll go their own way. Walking in your own path and being your own person without feeling a burden like you let someone down is a challenge. If you’re struggling with that, this letter is for you. This is your life to live, not your families. I know growing up our parents have so many dreams and aspirations for us, and some of those include following in their career footsteps, but what if that’s not what you want?

Only you get to live your life, feel it, and endure it; so make the experience fully yours. I’ve been there, I know how it feels to have a passion for something and no one else gets it. I’ve made decisions and job moves no one else understood but me. I had to believe in myself enough to be okay with not getting appreciation or satisfaction from family for having a normal job or career. I tried doing things the “normal” way, and I say it with quotations because my normal isn’t the same as what generations before consider normal. Previous generations looked at obtaining careers for stability purposes. When I attempted that and ignored my passions I fell into a deep depression because I wasn’t happy, and I wasn’t doing what I love. I’ve noticed the same trend with my friends and colleagues. Jumping at the first opportunity that offers you stability but ignores your mental and emotional needs is irrational.

I know we don’t hear it often. But it is okay to want something different, do it. It’s okay to want to lift your self out of a cycle of poverty and go a different way. It’s okay to go to trade school instead of college to pursue your passions. It’s okay to change your mind and pursue the arts after completing a four year degree. It’s okay. There is nothing wrong with not being a replica of your parents, older siblings, or cousins. I’m sick of this narrative that tells youth to have a career but doesn’t seem to focus on them having happiness. What’s the point of me having a great paying job if I blow all my money on unhealthy habits because I hate having to go to work everyday. Mentally and emotionally you end up doing so much damage. So I hope reading this letter gives you new or renewed confidence to do what really makes you happy, even if it’s going against what’s considered traditional in this day and age.

What’s tradition if it’s not being broken anyways?

With love,

The Law According To Amber