Quote from Unconventional Ideas

Today I’d like to introduce you to an idea from one of my favorite websites –

The Art of Nonconformity.

“At all stages of life, people will gladly offer you unsolicited lists of things you “must” do, be, or have. Most of the time you can nod your head, walk away, and ignore them.”

Quoted from Chris Guillebeau creator of http://www.artofnonconformity.com in his Short Collection of Unconventional Ideas.

30 is one of those times, those “stages of life” when people all over will give you lists. I’ve written before about the lists you may have made of things you wanted to do before turning 30. I’ve even mentioned how one author made a success of her series about her own turning 30 list [link to the previous blog entry]

But reading Chris’ entry I was reminded about those “other” people who may be providing lists that are filling your head, putting you down or just increasing your dread of the next birthday. Such lists may come from a well-meaning mom, sister, cousin, friend, dry cleaner, boss or just some random stranger on the street. If anyone and everyone seems to feel free to comment on your life’s aims and desires, maybe we should start commenting back.

I’ve made a list of the common expectations I’ve heard from the well-meaning and strangers.

Don’t you hear that biological clock ticking?
Your eggs aren’t getting any younger.
You cannot go back to school now; you’ll be older than everyone there.
It’s too late to start over.
You should know who you are by now.
If you haven’t found yourself by now, maybe you were never lost.
Isn’t it time to settle into a normal life?
Shouldn’t you be working the system you’re already in? (This apparently applies to work and life equally.)
If you don’t start looking, you’ll never find the right guy.
Don’t you want to be married?
Who will take care of you if you don’t have children?
You don’t want to grow old alone.

AND THE LIST GOES ON & ON.

I’ve decided to follow Chris’ advice and nod, walk away, and ignore. Then move on to something more interesting.

What about you? What do you do with the unsolicited advice about turning 30?

Later this week I’ll share some fun responses to the above questions.