Unpopular Opinion: I Want To Join The Rat Race

In this day and age, is it considered cringe to have career ambition?

From as early as I can remember, I had big dreams for myself, and not in the way I presume most kids dream. I didn't aspire to be an astronaut or a dancer. I was practical, level headed (which probably says a lot about me now) and ambitious. Now after closing the perpetual chapter of my life titled ‘school’ and coming out the other side with a qualification I’m proud of, I’m realising that while the majority of my peers are equally as smart as me, or smarter in some cases, my generation desire a slower paced career, a slower paced life; but not me.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not shaming my peers here, in fact, I’m kind of in awe of them. The greater part of my friends feel this way. Perhaps, it’s the people I’m surrounding myself with, but a more likely scenario, twenty year olds don’t want what their parents have. We’re all familiar with the rat race, presumingly the pursuit of happiness. It's a competitive, exhausting and arguably a pointless way of life, but right now, it's the life I want to live. 

It is drilled into us from childhood: we go to school, get into a good university, get a practical degree that will set you up for life, get a grown-up job, get a promotion or two, retire… and nothing. That seems to be the end of the line or so we’ve been told. What about all the moments in between? The vacations, the festivals, the moments of pure joy when you’re succeeding at something you’re passionate about. Your career should not define who you are, it's what you do.

The balance of prioritising work and a personal life seems to be a fine line. As someone hoping to break into a demanding industry, it’s clear this new wave of careerists are not settlers. We’re a generation unafraid to call out wrongdoings and negotiate for what we deserve to be right, and most importantly, fair. I truly believe the rat race isn’t what it used to be. We are stronger minded and have learned from our parents time in the limelight. We’re not oblivious to the tolls it can take but we are also creative individuals who aren’t afraid to make their own mark in the working world. We’re associating the rat race with the idea of sacrificing a personal life for money and status, but what about those who love what they do? Surely there are some out there. I can only hope I’ll be one of them in thirty years.

A question I often like to propose to my friends or people I’m trying to get to know is, ‘Where do you see yourself in five years?’ The common answer includes chasing the sun, experiencing adventures, living vicariously free and most importantly being happy. That's how it should be - this is what our twenties are for. Spend ten minutes on TikTok and I guarantee you’ll see one of those motivational videos, where an older person is plucked from everyday life and asked about their biggest regrets in life, a very loaded question but a necessary one. They’ll tell you to choose yourself in your twenties, prioritise making memories so you can look back at photos in fifty years and smile, knowing you did it all. But, what about us who aren't so easygoing?

Personally, I’m not one of them. I’m not exactly a free spirit, I like to have a rough plan, though I’ve definitely improved over time. I can be a little uptight, but that’s ok. As Sandra Bullock said, ‘I know where it comes from and I know it’s not dangerous.’ It's just another part of me I’ve had to learn to embrace.  I think it’s important to recognise you can have both:  you can, and should, go off and travel. I, myself, am currently writing this sat in a Starbucks in Singapore Airport en route to Bali after spending the past ten months in Australia prioritising living in the moment. Not always an easy task but an invaluable one, especially at my age. Having said that, after six months of laid back living (literally living in a tent surrounded by friends) I was ready for more. I had become restless and started to hear a subtle clock sound coming from within, so I suddenly wound up doing an internship at a magazine which truly fulfilled me at a time when I needed something substantial in my life.

Friends I’ve made travelling are planning on prioritising continued travel for the foreseeable.  No real plans to return home in the coming years. Part-time jobs are enough for them, they’re drawn to the idea that when they clock out, they’re clocked out mentally. Something I’ve always struggled with. Even when working in hospitality, I would sit up in my sleep and serve coffees if I had been working a lot. The idea of the rat race would be enough to turn some of my peers' stomachs. A couple of times, when discussing this topic, I’ve almost felt embarrassed to want a career, a successful career at that. It’s almost considered a little cringe, or not very ‘woke’ of me to want to join a system notorious for the detriment of one's sense of self and wellbeing. It’s as if my notion of success is outdated.  I guess we all see the world through different lenses, for some, living for life's simplest moments can be enough for satisfaction, others are driven by the pursuit of creating something lasting.

In the end, there’s no single formula for success or happiness in our twenties. Whether we’re drawn to a dynamic career path or inspired by the freedom of travel and adventure, what matters most is staying true to ourselves. While the world might offer varying perspectives on what we should value, our own desires and dreams will guide us. It's about finding a balance that works for us and making choices that bring us joy and fulfilment. As we navigate this exciting decade, let’s embrace our individuality and trust that every path has its own worth and rewards. After all, life is about making the most of the journey, wherever it takes us.