Accepting The Unexpected | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Accepting The Unexpected

What to remember when you're not where you want to be in life.

112
Accepting The Unexpected
NBN

I thought I'd be in school working towards my career or I'd be established in it, but I'm not. I thought I'd have my own apartment or home, but I don't. I thought I'd be in a serious relationship, engaged, or married, but I'm not. By the time I turned 25, I thought I'd have it all together. I don't. I don't have it, but I'm learning to be ok with that!

I used to become discouraged that I wasn't where I wanted to be in life. I envisioned myself riding to and from my amazing job in my shiny black Range Rover. I saw myself pulling up to a beautiful 5 bed, 3 bath home somewhere in quiet suburbia. I had a bubbly baby on my hip and a husband that was the bomb.com and everythingandmore.org. Bye Felicia! Yea right! Life didn't exactly go that way! Instead here I am, a month past my 25th, and nowhere near those things! I'm just truly figuring out what I want to do career wise. I live at home, and I'm as single as single can be! That is a-okay though!

I spent all of two years comparing myself to peers who walked off the stage and straight into their career. I was overcome with a bittersweet feeling every time I saw an engagement or pregnancy announcement. I wondered why things didn't fall into place like I had always thought they would. Even now, I still have to remind myself that I don't have to have it all right now, and to ultimately trust God's plan for my life. Now, I'm focused on enjoying my 25th year of life, instead of complaining and being down about what I have yet to accomplish.

It's not always easy to find contentment in your current situation, especially when it seems like everyone around you has it all going on. After two years, I had had enough of the pity party I was constantly finding myself in. I decided that I was going to change my attitude and learn to be content in where I was in life. If you are struggling with discontentment, here's some tips that helped me accept and change my outlook on where am I versus where I want to be.

1. Let Go of The Situations You Can't Control.

If you can't control it, why are you stressing over it? I have to remind myself of this when I become discouraged about being single. Of course, I could force some relationship with someone I know I have no business being with, but realistically, I know that's not the way to go about my season of singleness. I can't make a man be with me, let alone propose. I'm also not going to lower my standards or settle for something I don't truly want to appease my desire to be in a relationship. Instead, I'm going to be content in this season and believe God has someone for me and when the time is right, I will met the person I'm meant to be with. Until then, I choose to focus on the things I can control and the areas of my life that are most important at this moment, like my education and career. So just remember what ever the situation is, if you can't control it, there's no point in stressing over it. If it's something that's attainable, the best thing is to remain patient until it's your time. If it's meant for you, believe it will be yours, so just hang on!

2. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others.

We've all done it. You're scrolling through Instagram or Facebook and you see Megan just got in engaged, April's having a baby, Cam just finished his Masters, and you? You're sitting on your bed sulking and asking why life hasn't fallen in place for you yet. I'm so guilty of this, but I've learned it's one of the worse things you can do. Social media plays a big part in this. What we must remember though is the part of others lives we see is just that, a part. As picture perfect as it may look a lot of the time it isn't, and even if it is that's their journey not yours. Everyone has a different path in life. We could all accomplish the same thing and we'd still each have a different story as to how we accomplished it. Nothing's wrong with that! Focus less on what everyone else is doing, and give yourself the props you deserve for where you are currently!

3. Trust.

Trusting God for your blessing is the most important thing you can do. Proverbs 3:5 NIV is my favorite verse to go to when I need a reminder to trust in the Lord. It reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Can I get an amen!? That verse is literally telling you to throw everything you think you know about the situation away and just trust in Him! Us humans are great at creating plans and timelines for our life, which is not a completely bad thing. It's important to set goals. God is ultimately in control, however, so don't be surprised when He switches things up on you!

All in all, what's meant for you will be. Stop stressing, or criticizing yourself because you haven't reached a certain place in your life yet. Have patience, continue to work towards it, and remember God's timing is always perfect, so have faith and trust the plan God has for your life!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
school of business
CIS Markets

Coming from someone majoring in business at a school that thrives off of business majors, I know how rough it can be sometimes. Being a business major can be awesome, and awful, simultaneously. We work our tails off to be the best, but sometimes the stress can just tear you apart. Here are some struggles faced by business majors that will sound all too familiar.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Things To Know About The First Semester Of College

10 things that most incoming college freshmen have no idea about.

1344
campus
Pexels

Starting college is pretty scary and fun at the same time. You are free of your parents(in most cases) but this is the first time you have no idea what the heck is going on. Here are 10 things you may want to know going into your first semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter

It's not all morning coffees and singing along to the radio.

1896
The Daily Struggles of Being a College Commuter
morethanwheels

I've been in college for four years now. I spent half my time as a commuter and half as a resident so I've experienced both sides of the housing spectrum. One thing I've learned comparing the two is that my struggles as a commuter far outweigh anything I went through while living on campus. Commuters have to deal with the problems school brings along with a slew of other issues; I've filled up my gas tank in the worst kind of weather conditions and napped in random places in public more times than I'm proud to say of. This is a list of some of the most challenging aspects of being a commuter.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

4502
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

18436
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments