Because a sausage a day is really not going to keep you alive.
If someone told me that one day, I would be watching the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice whilst flipping through a Donna Hay cookbook in response to my recent rage against processed food, I might have told them to buy me a hot dog. This just could not be me at 22 because although I always saw myself cooking, it was only to cook up plans to buy healthy take out.
The fact is “The Life Plan” has failed little by little.
Take for example graduation day. It is supposed to be a day where years spent at uni hungover or otherwise would finally culminate into a day where degrees are distributed, long speeches are made and long gowns are worn. Graduation day is not supposed to be one of those days where you work from morning till midday, wait an hour for your late hairdresser, find out when you get home that you don’t actually own formal clothes and then arrive at graduation to find that you never told your uni your size, so now you have to wear a tablecloth on stage.
The Life Plan is also a very difficult plan to stick to.
For some reason, I always envisioned life after high school to travel along a predictable and smooth path of study, travel and work. There was no dent in this Life Plan and there was certainly no Pride and Prejudice or Donna Hay cookbooks involved. I was seventeen and I was sure that by 22, I would have it all. I never imagined that my interests would change; I never imagined that life, love and lust would hurt me and I never imagined that at 22, I would have no idea what I was doing with my life or what to do with the rest of it.
The Life Plan hasn’t served me very well thus I have resorted to dreams of one day.
One day, I am going to raid my savings account, catch a cab to the airport, stand in front of a world map and play a game called “pick a random country to disappear to”.
One day, I am going to ride a motorbike around Australia and dedicate my life to being lost, confused and afraid to wet my pants.
One day, I am going to work in a job whereby I only call in sick because I am actually sick and one day, I am going to wear my jeans inside out.
One day.
Right now however, my wallet is lost somewhere in Melbourne and I am in a serious relationship with non-processed food. All I hope for is that somewhere in between right now and one day, life will happen.
Krystle Westra
- Hello. My name is Krystle and I am 22. I live in a suburban building site and I really wish they didnt build KFC here. I did Sociology at uni once and I also did Woodwork in high school. Two things I am known to be obsessed with: sunsets and taking photos of sunsets.
- Published: February, 2007
I agree that the life plan is difficult to stick to and as my mother would say - “if you put your mind to it you can do it…” However, as cliche as this sounds we all know that “it’s always easier said than done.” Like yourself I envisioned my life to travel along a smooth and predictable path but instead I wasted energy worrying about what will become of me or better yet who am I and what have I achieved? I hope that between now and one day life will happen for you…but I believe that it has! And whilst it may not be according to your “life plan” it’s OK. Life doesn’t always go according to plan and since the only thing in life that doesn’t stop for you is time, I suggest you pick “that random country and disappear” (I know I would!) Too bad it’s “easier said than done” right? (damn that voice in my head). Keep up the entries sweety and I hope one day your dreams do become your life. - Dorothy Go (are you shocked?)
Dorothy Go
- February 6th, 2007, 2:25 pm
DOROTHY!!!
HOW ARE YOU???
Anyhow, thanks for the comment. I was nodding my head along to everything you said (or wrote). You’re right: some things are easier said than done but I guess that only means, it’s possible. But that voice in your head, it’s in my damn head too. And I love how you say that “the only thing in life that doesn’t stop for you is time” because it’s so, so, so very true. Sounds like a premature mid-life crisis eh?
P.S. Yeah. I am shocked. In a good way.
Krystle
- February 7th, 2007, 8:25 am
Unfortunately, I fail to believe you when you tell me your “Life Plan” has failed little by little. Presuming that it is failing would assume that there is some obvious measure of success right?
I am now at the age where the vast majority of my friends and colleagues have finished their degrees and are well into their career pursuits. There was a time where I would look at their successes and think to myself, “so where did I go wrong? What happened to MY bloody life plan?”
We live in a society that cultivates answers. Everything must be planned, organised, mapped out or otherwise known. We are encouraged to make decisions that will effect the rest of our lives with limited information, so that we can take control of our destinies. Before we even finish high school we are expected to nominate a specific career path in order to continue our education. As we begin our careers, interviewers will inevitably ask us where we see ourselves in five years time?
The problem is that many of us don’t know the answers to these questions, yet society deems it necessary that we do.
So forget what the rest of the world deems necessary. Because you will find that when you liberate yourself from the idea that such a definitive Life Plan exists, you will begin your journey towards knowledge.
John Ngo
- February 7th, 2007, 11:04 am
There was a time where I would look at their successes and think to myself, “so where did I go wrong? What happened to MY bloody life plan?”
John - You are assuming that their career is a success. They may project an image of happiness and success but it really depends on how one values success. I determine success not by materials but by happiness, they may have a stable future but are they happy?
~ Are they successful?
Warren Smith
- February 7th, 2007, 12:52 pm
You’re exactly right mate, but it took me a while to come to that conclusion.
I guess sometimes you can’t help but envy people who seem to have it all figured out. Even if it’s under the false pretence of happiness.
Part of it is deciding for yourself what happiness means to you rather than subscribing to a mass produced idea of success.
John Ngo
- February 7th, 2007, 1:21 pm
My view on failure is a little bit different, or maybe unorthodox. I think only through failure, you can view success. Having contrasting views on measuring success, i.e. those dependent upon monetary, healthy and of course contentment values. It’ really is each to their own when choosing what defines their level of achievement. Some may believe being unhappy is expected to one day attain the satisfaction of driving a Bentley, Others may feel, no amount of richness could take the place of precious seconds spent with loved ones. I personally know of people that belong to both groups, and off course some hybrids as well.
But back to my original point; success being a subjective judgment means I have to look at my own way of defining and measuring success, not of which others may imply. Thus to me failure is my window, or opportunity, giving me that glance into what success will be, if I am willing to perform the necessary.
Personally, having completed a double degree, the only thing that I ever wanted and want to do is furthest from what I have dedicated over 5 yrs of my life studying. To me that is failure, however.. that realization is success.
Nel
- February 8th, 2007, 6:32 am
Nel - What degree did you finish? What is it that you want to do?
Warren Smith
- February 8th, 2007, 7:22 am
B Commerce/B Information Systems at Melbourne - I’m currently doing what I want to do, i.e. play music. Unfortunately, I do not know how long it will last me.
Nel
- February 8th, 2007, 9:43 am
A man is insensible to the relish of prosperity ’til he has tasted adversity.
~Sa’di (Musharrif-uddin)
I’m pretty sure that even back in high school you knew that music was your passion. Not that it matters now, but always wondered why you pursued a degree in Commerce/Information Systems at Melbourne rather than say Music at the Victorian College of the Arts. I guess, I always assumed that you were keeping your options open.
There is quite a lot of utility in failure not only in the way that it allows you to define your own success, but also in the way that it reveals character. You can tell a tremendous amount about a person through the way that they deal with failure.
John Ngo
- February 8th, 2007, 11:04 am
Hey Krystle! Yes, I too was pleasantly shocked to see you on here as a contributor. We should catch up soon, dorothygo@msn.com
Dorothy Go
- February 8th, 2007, 2:46 pm
Hey my entry cut off?
…contd: don’t be a stranger Krystle (u too John.) But I boycott my msn four days a week because I became complacent when catching up with friends (i.e instead of calling to talk or getting off my ass to go for a coffee; I’ll just sit and chat online). I know it’s not msn’s fault but prevention is better than cure right? Mind you, I still enjoy msn three days of the week haha.
….
Anyway, back to this life plan stuff…I’m similar to John in that I tend to view success in terms of one’s career. I don’t know if it was our upbringing or our culture but I do know that once you rid your mindset of this convention then the life plan (mine anyway) transforms to co-exist with what I call the “H” plan.
Healthy
House over my head
Happy memories
Holidays
Ok, so maybe I’m putting an idealistically positive twist on this “life plan” but if a life plan doesn’t include the “H” plan then it’s like having a business plan without the marketing plan 
……..
BTW John how come my comments only show on Krystle’s blog?
Dorothy Go
- February 8th, 2007, 2:51 pm
I agree with everybody in one way or another. I too believe that the definition of success is subjective and that it is only when you seperate yourself from societal (cultural or family) definitions of success that you can truly become happy.Like you Nel, I spent years at uni, got the degree but now I’m back to where I began: chasing a childhood dream. Perhaps subconsciously, this childhood dream never seemed realistic or practical but now that I’ve finally begun doing something I have always wanted to do, I feel (as corny as this is going to sound), relieved. As everyone seems to have said, failure is the stepping stone to success and really, without knowing bad, you can never know good.
P.S. Dorothy, I will add you soon How is it that we have never run into each other all these years and this is where we bump into each other? Ah. the world wide web. Remember mIRC or ICQ anyone? Sorry. I’m going off topic so here’s a favourite quote:
“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it” - Van Goethe
Krystle
- February 9th, 2007, 9:34 am
…know what you want.
…act on it (includes sacrifices, hard work , commitment etc)
…focus (show up and hang in there, keep going esp when it’s tough)
The above has helped me achieve things big or small, personal or financial. Be humble enough to know that you have a problem. I was the problem. I’ve changed me. The magic is, those people around me who are close to me started changing too. We have developed a connection. At work and at home everything seems lighter. Everyone seems warmer. But mostly happiness for me is not giving in to the stresses of work and looking forward to going home to a clean house to my family.
Wishing you all success and happiness…whatever/however you perceive them to be.
Cheers!
Lian Nagui
- February 10th, 2007, 1:05 pm
Hey Krystle,
Not trying to sound like an old grand papa that I am.. But at your age I’ve done the whole dramatic pick a random country and disappear. And, what I found was I felt I could be seen by everyone but was invisible at the same time.
It’s a strange and amazing feeling. I recommend it.
On day you will be lost and your life plan will unravel its astounding complexities by you over analysing a simple choice.
Life happens
Francis Go
- February 13th, 2007, 3:59 pm