Adults share 'overrated adult goals' younger people should avoid
It can feel nearly impossible to get around all of the things society tells young adults they should be striving for, but everyone doesn't want the same things. Many adults have fallen into the trap of collective thinking based on societal indications of success. Some of those adults have decided to leave a few wise words for the generations coming up behind them.
In an effort to ensure that young people don't make the same mistakes, adults on Reddit are sharing "adult goals" that are actually overrated. Everyone doesn't need or even wants to be a "hashtag boss babe." Some people are perfectly happy knitting hats for cats without attempting to turn it into a side hustle for extra cash.
Overwhelmingly, warn young people against making hobbies into a side business
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"Turning every single hobby into a 'side hustle.' The Internet has convinced us that if you’re good at something, you must monetize it. No, Sarah, I don’t want to start an Etsy shop for my paintings. I just want to be mediocre at something for fun without checking my profit margins or SEO. Not everything needs to be a business," Reddit user JulMayoooo responds to the question, "What's the most overrated 'adult goal' people chase" on the AskReddit forum.
"The best way to ruin your favorite hobby is to try to turn it into your side hustle. Now it’s not that fun thing that you look forward to doing, now it’s work and you have forever ruined something that used to bring you joy," v4v4v4v4 agrees.
People remind others that it's fine to be mediocre at your job
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"The idea that you need to be passionate about your career and do what you love. Sometimes a job is just a paycheck that funds the life you actually want to live. There’s nothing wrong with being mediocre at work if you’re thriving elsewhere," viedoklis writes.
"I think it should be more acceptable for white collar jobs especially to just be a means to an end, rather than a sort of 'life passion'. As long as you do the job competently and take it seriously then you should be free to enjoy your life outside of work and pay your bills in peace," I-love-you-Dr-Zaius says.
GeneralLeeFrank shares, "I think people get stuck in this idea that we all have to chase the job that relates to our personal interests. I think sometimes it just doesn't work that way. It's an easy way to burn out and hate what you used to love."
Understanding the Parent-Teen Connection: A Digital Moment.Photo credit: Canva
Relationships shouldn't be a goal, but a "pleasant outcome"
"I think there are things that shouldn’t be a “goal” at all but just a pleasant outcome, like getting married or being in a relationship or having kids. People that are dogmatic about stuff like this and kind of force it usually create a disaster," Ancient_Surprise_198 tells others.
"100% agree, so many couples that get married because it's the next step then get a kid and talk divorce in the span of like 3 to 5 years. You don't have to do things because they were presented has a life goal, that's how you end up 25 divorced and resentful but still attached for life at that person because you had a kid," fafarex says.
Others debunk the overrated goal of being your own boss
"'Being your own boss.' People look at owners of already successful businesses and think that is what starting your own business i like. Unless you are already rich and are able to just pay other people to do all the work, starting and owning your own business means you spend every waking hour working to keep your business afloat," EnycmaPie reveals.
"Couldn't agree more. When i started my business i was not earning no money for the first 6-7 months. Then it was constant work, no days off. I wasn't working physically everyday (Independent house builder) but there was always phone calls or emails to be had. Sometimes i do think that a good paying job would be better," Wise-Pay-8993 shares.
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Owning a home doesn't have to be the goal.
"Buying a house. Would be nice if you can but it doesn’t make you a failure if you can’t. Especially in this economy," ryanorion16 writes.
"I used to own a house and now rent. I actually prefer renting for various reasons. My parents thought it was throwing money down the toilet until I told them how much my mortgage was, how much I got from the sale of the house after 10 years, and all the unexpected expenses that popped up as a homeowner," canteatsandwiches agrees.