#and i want to really prioritise certain hobbies and I'm not sure if a new job would allow for that.

[rainnbepourin]

i don't like this job. i don't like this company. i don't like these people.

I've been treated badly in the past. it's got to the point where i have power over them, after almost 4 years. but I'm not interested in getting better at this anymore. there isn't any kind of future here... i really don't know if i might regret leaving or if it's the only way forward.

#but i also want to move which would mean double the living expenses i have now #and i want to really prioritise certain hobbies and I'm not sure if a new job would allow for that. #ugh i don't know

[soracities]

im sure you’ve gotten comments like this, but it’s incredibly reassuring to hear someone else saying they didn’t go to college. i don’t necessarily regret my decision to not go, but there are moments when the pressure and expectation of it really puts me down. definitely me self-projecting and worrying i don’t look intelligent or like i don’t have goals, when really i do have goals, they just don’t require further education. this is rambly, but i just wanted to say thank you for being you and helping me (even without you knowing) come to terms with the fact that i don’t need to “prove” myself and can engage in literature and writing without higher education. it just gets hard sometimes when i literally don’t know anyone else not in college.

i think in the beginning, when you are living your "college years" but aren't in college, it can be hard, yes, because you're right: almost everyone, if not everyone, within your cohort is in college and it will be a fairly dominant theme for a few years because, for most people, very little else will be happening outside of that; almost everyone is relating through those terms and experiences which can feel a little isolating if you're not a part of it. but -- that's in the beginning. and i think as you focus more on and prioritise your own goals and what you want out of your life, and the steps you can take to go about it, and also as you (and everyone else) gets older, it becomes less of an issue, at least in my experience. everyone grows up a bit more and becomes more understanding because life, while it doesn't necessarily get bigger or more "real" (it’s always been “real”), does get more complex and you recognize this more clearly, not only for yourself but for others, too (also your brain finally closes in on maturity which, trust me, makes a very big difference). i think the best thing you can do for yourself, if you are able to, is to expand the circle of people you know to include people from different age ranges and backgrounds. if there's a hobby you want to spend more time with, see if you can find a local club dedicated to it, or volunteer with a community group. engage and cultivate new acquaintances and friendships, if and however, that is possible for you. build a life for yourself centered on the things you want to learn and grow through as much as you can right now, so that you have something that feels actively yours and not dependent on where or if you are getting a degree.

the expectations and the pressure are tricky to get past, even when you know you’ve made the decision that you needed to make for you or was the best for you. and as frustrating as it is, some people will definitely see you in terms of whatever milestone has been decided is appropriate for your age range, and not really you, and it can get tiring, and annoying, and sometimes you may reach a point where you just want to snap at all these expectations to leave you bloody well alone. i don't really have much to help counter that, except that people will keep speaking from their own expectations and presumptions and while it doesn't mean they're bad people, you're not obligated to entertain those presumptions, not even when they are coming from you and what you have internalised yourself. you have your goals and it makes me really happy to read how certain you are of them because i know that is not easy, especially when you've decided not to pursue university. for what it's worth i believe in you entirely and am wishing you all the best with going after your goals and getting to the future you want for yourself, i really really am. i'm glad you've been able to find some measure of comfort in these asks, truly, and i appreciate you sending this so much ♡

#truly the sooner we stop idolising academic Intelligence (TM) the better #also not to be funny but richard dawkins exists so if you need proof that intelligence is not a one track road there u go #also most formative and freeing thing for 20 year old me was finding out some highly educated doctor believed the pyramids were made #by aliens #literally....EVERYONE is just some guy and we are all incredibly smart and INCREDIBLY dumb in different ways a degree m #means* nothing lol #ask #anonymous