There is this misconception that being under the age of 30 automatically means that you are "young and reckless," which is the biggest lie we feed ourselves.
Today's youths are pressured in so many ways to be reckless and to live life to the fullest. The worst part is that if you don't live up to this expectation, you are perceived as boring or uncool.
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Using "average" as a label to demean the values of those not willing to give into the mainstream life pressures youth to act impulsively. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being average and following the rules. They are there for a reason.
Now, I have heard my fair share of, "Loosen up," "Stop being a stickler for rules," "Live life," "Okay, Mom," and many more smart remarks that come up when I stress the need to follow rules.
I believe in the idea of "rules and regulations" for the simple fact that rules were made to keep order in our society. Rules, that may not always make sense, were invented by people that made a mistake, and who — I like to think — thought, "Hey, maybe if I spread the word, others won't make the same mistake I did".
The consequences of our actions have a lasting impact on our lives, whether we realize it or not. More importantly, our actions and decisions affect those around us, and sometimes, they are the ones that suffer the consequences of our actions.
Society and the media urge the youth to live life fully, regardless of rules and consequences. I understand why the idea of being reckless is so appealing, though. The adrenaline rush and empowering feeling of invincibility is absolutely fascinating. However, that doesn't make it right, and I agree that there are absolutely safe ways to have fun. It is just that not everyone wants to be safe.
The idea of curfews, house rules, laws, and everything else that restrains us from running wild is definitely not desirable, but it really is a gift to have these restraints and to be able to conform our lives to them.
How people follow the rules and are able to have fun without being reckless is something nobody ever points out.
The media doesn't portray or encourage the lifestyle of those who follow the rules. It's merely the opposite, creating memes that ridicule the idea of following rules.
In a perfect world, we wouldn't need rules because everyone would act accordingly. However, we don't live in a perfect world. I don't intend on reprimanding those that don't follow the rules. My goal is only to raise some sort of awareness that of which you do not need to give in to the false illusion of the good life.
My sole intention is to remind you to listen to the little voice in the back of your head telling you to follow the rules, because that voice is there for a reason. It is reminding you that there is more to life than being cool and reckless.
More importantly, your accomplishments through life shouldn't be measured on how many rules you broke or how much you lived life on the edge.
Rules are there to help protect us from ourselves and to remind us that actions have consequences, even though some are heavier to live with than others.
