Skip to main content

Why I Don't Believe in Five Year Plans

We’ve all seen it on TV: the 30 years olds having a crisis because they realized their life is not what they thought would happen. Whatever plans they set out for themselves have not gone the way they expected, so they are unsure of their identity. There’s an anxiety about not becoming who you set out to be. The thing is, I don’t want to look at my life in five years and feel like I’ve failed. Therefore, I don’t believe in five years plans. I’m not entirely sure what I’m going to be having for breakfast tomorrow, and I find meal planning for a week difficult enough, so why would I place that kind of pressure on my life? The thing is, life is unpredictable. Most of the time, you can’t control that way things play out. Things are not going to work out just the way you intended it to, and that’s okay. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, I think it’s silly to map out your path for the next five years.

[source]
That being said, I do have goals in mind that shape my decisions. Within the next five years, I WILL be graduating, and I WILL be looking for a job. However, am not putting an expiry date on my dreams. Dreams are fluid, and any moment in your life could change your dreams. I’ve changed so much in the past year, and I’ve found my dreams changing as I change. If I’m aiming for something to accomplish in five years, who’s to say I’m going to be happy with the choice five years ago me made? The truth is, I’m not sure where I will be in five years’ time. I could be in Canada, but I could also be back in the UK. Nothing is for sure, and there are no guarantees, but I know what I want my next step to be.
[source]
All of this doesn’t mean I’m not focused on my goals for the future. I believe that to have a stable future, you need to have a stable present. Like I said before, life is uncontrollable, but you do have control over what your current priorities are. My focus is on what I’m doing right now, and right now, my major focus is graduating university. At the end of the year, I’m going to have to start applying for teacher’s college, and that’s my next step. I have a framework of goals and dreams that I base my decisions on, but those ideas don’t come with a leering time stamp. I’m not putting the pressure on myself to have my dream life in five years, but I’m slowly working my way to that life on a day to day basis. The thing is, your accomplishments will make you feel good no matter how long it takes for you to finish it. Five year plans might work for some people, but I don’t want to live my life according to a time-based success plan. Life will happen when you’re ready for it.
-Daniella

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Recently Read - October 2020

 Is fall not the best reading season? I’m so glad I’ve had a few opportunities to sit on the front porch, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket with a hot drink and my book. Right now, it’s raining outside and all I want to do is cozy up and get back to my book. I’ve read some great non-fiction in the past six weeks. I’m learning so much about how people relate to the world around them. That is so important to me. Check them out! The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism – Naoki Higashida – 4 Stars         This is a very short book that I think everyone should read – particularly those who work with children. Although knowledge has come a long way, there is still so much more to be learned about autism. This book is a series of question that Naoki Higashida answers from his point of view. Interspersed is also a handful of short stories from Higashida’s point of view.         It’s an incredible book. It’s something that really allows readers to understand ho

Very Inspiring Blog Award

Yay yay yay, I got nominated for the Very Inspiring Blog Award from Marlee at Marlee and You ! Now, you can learn even more about me! Pretty exciting isn’t it? The hardest part is gathering all the 15 bloggers to tag. But hey, I got this! Rules: 1.        Link the person who nominated you (CHECK) 2.        List and display the rules (CHECK) 3.        Share seven facts about yourself. 4.        Nominate 15 other blogs and let them know they have been nominated. My Seven Facts: 1.        My favourite meal is breakfast. Although I basically only eat milk and cereal, I love the variety of things you can have. I just made myself a Blueberry Breakfast Quesadilla , and it was amazing! 2.        My all time favourite website is HelloGiggles . I have recently taken on the title of a feminist, and this website has been a great way to see that other women share the same views as me. 3.        I’m not a chick-flick kind of girl. James Bond and Indiana Jones are the best. I

Monthly Favourites- February 2016

I don’t know about you, but it feels like February has flown by! I can’t say it’s been a busy month; it’s more like a month of sinking back into routine. Last month, I was so ready to get back to school. It’s been great so far. I’m loving my classes, and I’m doing well with keeping on top of readings. I went to watch The Superbowl with friends (we didn’t make it to halftime), took control of my own body, and I’ve made myself a solid group of friends. I’m really happy. Here’s what got me through the month: 1.        NetGalley     I’m sure you can tell based on the sheer amount of book reviews I’ve been posting, but I have been reading quite a lot. This is all thanks to NetGalley. I have been a member of the site for over a year, but I never really got into it until now. At home, I have an extensive bookshelf, but I couldn’t bring that to the UK with me. I turned to NetGalley, and I have been rewarded. As a member, I request book titles and get a free e-book. In exchange, I have