Kayley Gallaher | My Life, My Way

I read (and write) a lot about being 20-something in 2012. Most of the time, it is to highlight the struggles we all seem to face day in and day out. Last night, I came across an article about why being a 20-something is awesome and I couldn’t help but agree with almost all of it. 

As I sit and write this post from my living room in the West End of Vancouver overlooking beautiful English Bay, I can’t help but count my blessings. My apartment is a tangible blessing and something I work very hard to have. Obviously, living in the most expensive city in North America isn’t always easy and you have to make sacrifices, like selling your car - I miss you Raffi! 

That being said, the intangible aspects of our lives are far greater than any tangible product we could own at 20-something. 

I started reflecting on this idea a few days ago, right after I picked-up my sister Jaime (Hi Mimi!) from the airport. She was returning from a 10-day nursing trip in Haiti and her stories were nothing short of inspiring. Then, just a few days ago one of my best friends phoned to tell me she had been accepted into the RCMP pending one final physical. She has wanted this since we were 15 years old. Last night my sister Jody told me she was going to volunteer with Operation Smile, because she just has a heart that big and it is something she has wanted to do for years. Needless to say, I’m surrounded by some pretty inspiring people on a day-to-day basis whose intangibles are far greater than any tangible life product they could own. Most people in my life have this innate ability to  go balls to the wall after what they want and it is an incredible quality I admire and look to have in my own self. The intangible aspects of our lives are our goals coming true, our successes (and failures) flashing before our eyes, and building a story that one day we will get to share with a family of our own. Until then though, we’re on one helluva ride.  

I have some big goals brewing (stay tuned for that post) but to leave you for the day, think about some of the reasons why being 20-something is awesome. Here are a few of my own. 

• This is the time to feel, both good and bad, and see as much as we can
• Take advantage of not being tied down to anything and anyone - just be free
• Go balls to the wall with everything that you do 
• Put in your time, work your ass off and go after what you want
• Be flexible and open to change
• You’re the boss of you own life, and this is the most rewarding career you could ever have
• Be comfortable being uncomfortable 

It is inevitable, one day we will miss where we are today. So I encourage you to be where your feet are, because right here, right now,  they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.