The idea that life has to be lived one way is unacceptable to baby boomers and I cannot remember ever thinking otherwise. It was inconceivable that I, like my two sisters, would marry and have children in my twenties. They married in their twenties, built careers in their thirties then retired and became grandparents well before 65. My dreams for my life were fueled by books, my imagination, the country having put a man in space and jet travel for the masses. I did not believe that living well was to be left solely to those born rich and famous.
My philosophy was ‘Do everything I wanted to do to ensure that it happened,’ then think about getting married and children. Getting my satisfaction was not to be left to retirement. This is the attitude that reflects the non-linear lifestyle many boomers ascribe to and have lived. We referred to it as ‘Doing our own thing. The Millennials say ‘Do You.’
There is a price to be paid for going against the grain, a subject for another post. The point is that boomers have been shaped by their conscious choice to put lifelong learning, leisure time, and one’s lifestyle ahead of pressure to live their lives based on an antiquated time schedule.
Are you in charge of your life? What are your thoughts?
Leave a Reply