The Soft Tyranny Of “By Now, You Should Have _________”
I’m probably a good example of someone who has not accomplished many of the things in life they thought they would — to this point, at least! — and sometimes I can have mental breakdowns and spirals around some of that stuff, all of which I’ve been trying to control and better myself around for most of my adulthood. I’m better. But, I’m still a work in progress.
I really don’t know if I had specific goals at 18 or 22. I was interested in working in or with or around sports, which I did — spent about seven years at ESPN. I was kinda interested in being a writer or journalist. I’m not a very good writer, not a profitable one, and I think journalism is probably dying except for insane hot takes, but I guess I do write pretty consistently. So I’m OK on those two. I figured I’d have “one love,” but nope. Been divorced, and actually I probably had “loves” before I even met her. Figured I’d be a dad. Still haven’t scaled that mountain; biologically I may never.
Am I an utter disappointment? No. I think I have some real tangible value in pockets. But I do struggle with the soft tyranny of “By x-age, you should have accomplished or done __________.”
