A Millennial in the Workplace

By Anastasia Warren, Marketing Manager

I am a Millennial, and I work an 8 to 5 job.

And I’m proud of it.

“20 Reasons Why You Should Drop Everything and Travel the World.”

“35 Ways You’re Wasting Your Twenties.”

“Why I Traveled the World Instead of Getting a Job.”

As millennials, it is nearly impossible to go even one day without seeing one of these articles pop-up as we scroll through our multitude of newsfeeds.

These articles—they’re entertaining. I read them. You read them. Many of us read them.

And many of them are relevant, inspiring—true.

I agree with and commend those that are traveling or have traveled at this age.

However, I’d like to take a moment to take a look at those of us that haven’t, those of us that aren’t.

Yes, we technically can. Yes, most of us would probably like to. But sometimes, there are things to be done that stop you from dropping it all. Whether it’s career goals, a family to help, yourself to take care of—whatever it is, life has obligations and expectations, how and when you choose to follow those is up to you.

Because neither way is right, and neither way is wrong.

“7 Reasons You Should Quit Everything and Travel the World.”

Again, I read these articles. I like these articles. I agree with most of these articles.

I am proud of the individuals that are out there traveling the world. I am humbled by their bravery and decisions. I am not saying that all people traveling have dropped everything or aren’t following goals.

What I don’t agree with, is those very articles that claim that I’m “wasting away my years” or that “this is the time to do it because all you have is now.”

Yes, all you have is now.

But when did working a job out of college, doing an internship, or working toward your goals within a relatively smaller geographic region become looked at as such a constraint—such a negative?

Living each day to your fullest and with no regrets doesn’t have to mean dropping everything or seeing it all.

It can mean living each day with a grateful heart. It can mean living each day with love for your family and friends. With a deep breath in the fresh air. With a smile at a stranger. With an hour or two of doing something you love. With good food and good conversation.

With working toward something you are passionate about, something that is bettering the world around you.

So no, we don’t know if we’ll be here tomorrow. No, we can’t see to the end of the year. And no, we don’t know which day is going to be our last.

But we do know that all we have is now. None of us know what is going to happen. None of us will ever know.

And so if you want to go, go. If you’re already there, travel on. But don’t beat yourself up if you’re following a different path.

Because we all have our own.

Live each day to your fullest, just don’t worry if you aren’t doing “extraordinary” things yet.

Sometimes, extraordinary things happen in the most unexpected places.

Quit looking at what others are doing and feeling as though your life is somehow inadequate in comparison.

Live each day within the life you have created, pour your heart into every second, and I guarantee you won’t regret a day in your life.