28 Sep ‘Wingin’ It: Surviving Adulthood in Uncertain Times

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Adulthood has become just that, “A hood”. Growing up in inner-city neighbourhoods, part of our adulthood has consisted of not really knowing what we’re doing and winging it half the time. It doesn’t help that our parents are first-generation immigrants and, while they afforded us beautiful lives, everything from relationships, careers, money, and ambitions could not have been more different from our hopeful and successful parents.

We’ve learned that we want to swap our parents’ ambitions for our own. It can be a tough pill for immigrant parents to swallow when we mustered the courage to tell them that we no longer want a career in XYZ, but instead, want to create an online magazine that rivals some of our favourites. Not to mention, figuring out this thing called life in one of the worst times in history. It’s a recipe for confusion and a life of working to live and not LIVING!

As we maneuver this new hood, we’ve learned a couple of things. F*ck everything and keep at it. Delulu is the solulu … create a goal and stick to it. Now, I ain’t gonna lie when you’re not receiving the recognition you wanted, you may get discouraged, but what’s the alternative – living a life of ordinary, no passion, and to what end? Keep your dream alive, even if it’s in your head, and spend 30 minutes on it a day. As it grows, you’ll grow and become obsessed with it, so keep at it!

Keep a tight-knit group of like-minded individuals! Your tribe should be working towards a goal just as you are. Pick each other’s brains, ask for support from people who can help you design a website, refine your product, or offer sound advice. Get out of your comfort zone and talk about your dreams confidently, and believe that stuff. You’re capable, and you’re worthy.

If working for yourself is not for you, where do you want to go in your career? Map out that stuff and figure out unique ways to get there. Think smarter, not harder! Now that you’ve mapped it out, attach numbers to it. If you’re one of those people who believes money isn’t everything, change that. Money will afford you more opportunities and more ways you can live a more fruitful and fulfilling life. Go where you’re valued and meet that 5-year goal. You can do it!

Practice gratitude! As humans, we tend to always want the next best thing, but be happy in every state, as each level is there to teach you something. What were you meant to learn, and how does this step assist you in adulthood? Check in and have conversations with yourself. Did you do what you said you wanted? Did you stay committed? Did you put real effort into bettering your circumstance? Be honest! You got this girlie !

Building this level of awareness is key to creating lasting change – so keep going, embrace your progress thus far, and continue walking together with us through this journey of adulthood. Let’s all make an effort to check in with ourselves and show up for our goals. Together, we can make them part of our DNA.