When are you due for a promotion? Do you see a future in this career? When are you getting a new job?

Have you been dating anyone? Are you exclusive yet? When are you getting married?

…

Anyone else feel like these questions, or any variation of them, are the topic of family discussions as you turn & live through the ages of 25-29? I’ve definitely felt my share of contrast when compared to how my parents navigated their twenties. They both met when they were ages 18 & 19, bought a house together and got married by the time they were 24 & 25, and decided to have me when they turned 30 & 31. They had their share of jobs, promotions, and career changes over the years which landed them both as bosses of their own companies today, 20 years later.

I’m 27, single & dating, adore kids but not planning on having one of my own anytime soon. However, I’ve managed to have the rare opportunity of becoming my own boss way before either of my parents did. But despite being ahead, time wise, in one respect of my life, the pressure to be successful in both my personal and professional lives remains to be my biggest stressor. Not to mention, I hold the title of oldest child, cousin, niece, and granddaughter amongst both sides of my families; talk about having to set an example for the rest of them…

So how do I handle these mid-twenties pressures in life? I won’t lie to you, it’s not the easiest to get a grip on and with the holidays approaching, it won’t be any easier to avoid. Getting reminded of the things that I’m internally thinking about isn’t a fun experience and hearing your fears out loud has the potential to really mess with you. But I do like to remind myself of these amazing quotes that I’ve come across to reset my mind and allow me to focus on where I am in my life,  not where everyone else expects me to be:

WHEN I’M REMINDED OF THE DOUBTS THAT COME WITH MY CAREER CHOICE:

“In the end, she became more than what she expected. She became the journey, and like all journeys, she did not end, she just simply changed direction and kept going”

“Life is too short to not go where your heart leads”

“Don’t ever apologize for evolving past other people’s comfort zones”

“The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further from the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before”

“You are only stuck in a job, if you don’t have a plan for your life”

“When someone says you can’t do it, do it twice, and take pictures”

…

WHEN I’M REMINDED THAT WOMEN HAVE A BIOLOGICAL CLOCK:

“The smartest thing a woman could ever learn, is to never need a man”

“A woman who creates a full, happy life on her own is a lot more inviting than one who looks to a man to create it for her”

“What if…everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked for?”

“Don’t let anyone tell you that your independence is the reason for you being single. Your strength as a woman isn’t the cause for your loneliness. You’re alone because you’d rather not entertain a weak man”

“Do not lose hope. Please believe that there are a thousand beautiful things waiting for you. Sunshine comes to all who feel a little rain”

“Here’s to the women who try their hardest to be better than they were yesterday. Women who spend hours working making sure all their bills are paid; who still smile while picking up the broken pieces of their heart; who are willing to fight for what they deserve and not settle for less. Here’s to the women holding it down even when the world seems to be against them”

…

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE LIFE PRESSURES OF YOUNG ADULTHOOD?

Trousers: Missguided | Crop Top: Zara (similar here) | Sneakers: Keds | Bag: Henri Bendel (same style in blue here)