The 2 Year Plan?
Recently, I feel like everywhere I look read, people are talking about their future, making 5 year plans, 10 year plans, or they are talking about their past and how they are at their 10 year plan mark. I know it’s obviously not the intention, but these things stress me out. They always have. For some reason or another, I have never had a strong vision of where my future will be, I’ve never been a very career driven individual, and a lot of “these plans” are made around a specific career goal.
Now, I’m not saying that I’m getting old, but I will be turning 28 on Sunday and to me, that pretty much means I need to get my shit together in the next 2 years. The goals I have all begin at the ripe age of 30 and I don’t even feel remotely in the process of achieving those goals.
Don’t even get me started on my job. I’m mostly happy with where I am at in my current job, but 1 – 2 times a year I go through a period where I am sure I am about to get laid off. And to say the least, IT’S STRESSFUL. It’s the industry though, I work at a television production company and laying people off is just part of the norm here. I don’t know how I’ve managed it, but I’ve been here almost 3 years and have somehow made the cut each time lay offs happen. I feel really LUCKY, but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last.
Alas, I am at one of those points right now, things are slow and I could easily be let go and then I am left wondering the hell I am supposed to do next. What do I even really want to do? I consider job hunting one of the worst things in the world.
Like I said, I’m not a super career driven person and that’s probably because I have never found that one thing that I know I want to do for the rest of my life. My future goals revolve around running and having children. Is that bad?
Mentally, I feel like a 28 year old, but financially, I feel like a 20 year old. Have I been irresponsible with money? I don’t think so. But, somehow I have no money saved and I’m in debt, mostly due to stupid veterinarian bills from my sick cat. But, whatever, a lot of people share the same stress regarding credit cards, so I try not to dwell on it too much because to an extent, there isn’t much you can do about it.
I guess this is me trying to make a 2 (3?) year plan. What will I do in these 2 years that will help me achieve what I want to by the time I hit 30?
If everything was perfect and it went the way I wanted to, this is how it would go down.
2013:
- Focus on reducing debt
- Run 2 marathons, while focusing on getting faster and closer to BQ’ing
- De-clutter my life, most importantly my apartment
2014:
- Actually start saving money
- Boston Qualify!
- Go on a nice long vacation
2015:
- Turn 30!
- Run the Boston Marathon
- Get pregnant and have a baby
Seems simple enough, right? I just have to learn to execute the steps to make these goals happen, but where do I even begin? I need a life coach.
I just feel so behind on life. Aren’t I supposed to have thousands of dollars saved and be buying a house soon? I know times are different and everyone is at different points in their life, but every once in a while, I get scared and wonder if I did something wrong along the way.
This is a personal post and it’s kind of embarrassing to put it out there, but it helps writing it all down and getting it out of my head and onto paper the blog and who knows, maybe there’s someone out there who is in the same boat.
Do you have a 2, 5, or 10 year plan? Did you make one 10 years ago, how how did your life turn out in comparison?
I completely hear you when it comes to long-term planning. I do consider myself “career driven” but that still doesn’t mean that I know where I want to be in 5 or 10 years or hell…even after the position I am in now! This question gets asked at my company ALL THE TIME, and we are expected to have this mapped out. Sure I want to progress in my career, but I don’t know what opportunities might come up or what jobs might be available…it seems like predicting the future and I get overwhelmed. So, I can’t say I have any advice, but just know that you aren’t the only one!! (Also, outside of my short-term running goal…to BQ…I can’t even say I know where I want to go with that part of my life.) ahhhh!
don’t stress and don’t compare. i have learned this over the years. your life is exactly that, YOUR life. I’m 32 and still not married in the South. Do you know what a faux-paus that is???10 years ago I thought i would’ve been married with kids by now. BUT, i’m not. I can’t control those things. Instead, i’m incredibly lucky to have a supportive, loving boyfriend, a brand new job, and traveling the country running & meeting fabulous people like you. Yes, I have debt. it sucks but i hope to be out of it soon. I also think you only live once-and if i were to die tomorrow-would I be happy? regret that I didn’t go/do something because i was stressed about “my life”? I know i’m rambling-but again, don’t worry, don’t compare-live what is YOURS. and don’t buy-i regret that i did!
I love this post!!
Don’t stress out about not having a 10 year plan. I don’t have one. The idea of one freaks me out. I barely have time to plan dinner, let alone what I want to be doing in 10 years.
I was in the same boat you were at 28. Then I got pregnant (before I was married). So we got married and started saving and doing all the necessary things to buy our first home. HA.
Don’t be embarrassed for sharing all of this. I love learning more about you and I appreciate and love your honesty and openness!!
PS> Happy Early Birthday! xoxo
My plans also revolved around having a kid and now around running and raising that kid. I have never been career driven either so I wouldn’t worry too much about it! Enjoy each day! Debt is normal I think nowadays…I have so much debt I’ll be paying other people until I die. Oh well!!
i agree about the saving money thing. i see people my age buying houses and im like where are you getting this money?