Leaving Behind the Old Paradigm
As a millennial, I was taught that if I went to college and got a degree, I’d be set for life. That a college degree would open all sorts of doors and I could do whatever I want. So I followed the prescribed format, went to college, got a Bachelor of Arts, and then graduated in 2009. You may or may not remember that 2009 was the peak of a major recession. I couldn’t find a job for months and months after graduating. I got so desperate that I went to work at the frozen yogurt shop where I had worked summers during high school. As you can imagine, my idealized version of being an adult was quickly disintegrating.
But then I finally got a “real” job as an interior design assistant in LA. I had a salary, a decent position, and healthcare. I thought I had it made! But after several years of this, I knew it wasn’t feeding my soul in any way. My parents told me that jobs weren’t supposed to feed your soul. They were a means to an end, and to stop complaining. But I felt that there was more to life than this. I didn’t (and don’t) think we are put on this planet to have two weeks off a year, work 40 hours a week, drink and party the weekends away, only to start all over again on Monday.
My spiritual life was developing. I left my office job and pursued a career in cooking, one of my passions. That was exciting; getting paid to do something I love! This is what it’s supposed to be…right? But many early mornings and sleepless nights in catering jobs, and the stress of cooking for others to the point where I didn’t even feed myself wasn’t it either.
When I met my partner Lars, I was in awe of how he lived his life. He had developed his Young Living career very successfully, and I couldn’t believe that he could earn a residual income, every single month, based on the work he had put in. But he’s retired. He stopped working 16 years ago, and yet still gets his paycheck every single month. It seemed too good to be true, and I was always taught, “if it looks too good to be true, it is.” But after a year of being with him, and a year of developing my own relationship with Young Living oils, I decided that I too was ready to leave behind the old paradigm. That I don’t want to defer my enjoyment of life to when I’m retired, too old or sick to even do the things that I really want to do.
I looked around me and saw that other millennials were also getting crafty. We weren’t dealt the best hand, so we’ve had to find more creative ways to make a living. But I feel as a generation we are also steadfastly dedicated to retiring as we go; that is to say, enjoying life as we go along. So I decided to take the plunge and start doing Young Living as a business. It has been a journey - one filled with ups and downs, excitements and disappointments, and a whole lot of personal growth. Now I am at the point where I can’t imagine doing life any other way. I’m setting myself up for success, for the ability to enjoy life both now and later, and to never have to live hand-to-mouth again.
This is my “why.” I want to live for today. And I want to live for tomorrow, too. Now I know that I can have both.