The older you get the more you start to realize that most things which we are conditioned to believe in are bullshit. I’m not even talking about the radical ideas, but even the simple stuff like seeking a formal education, 9-5 jobs, the way we sometimes find ourselves reacting negatively to differences of opinions, cultures, religions, people.

As kids we are curious. We ask questions all the time. We embrace everyone with love & excitement, and mostly have crazy big dreams about our future - astronauts and rockstars and scientists and chefs and secret agents. Then we start getting social cues from our families, friends, teachers - don’t do this, don’t ask this, don’t talk to them, don’t wear this, do this, study this, follow them, believe us. You start to lose yourself, rather quickly.

We are made to realize that we need to study certain things in high school because it will translate to college credits and look good on the resume. We get to college and want to be a perfect student to get that “dream job.” We finally get to a 9-5 and stifled creatively. We are encouraged to follow orders and often step on our colleagues to rise up. We have to show up on time, hide our tattoos, shave the beard, work quietly. You don’t want to piss off the boss.

You get through the first few years and you’re loving it. Your credit score goes up (you never even had one before this), you rent a nice apartment (that was out of your budget), you get a timely salary (that just covers your expenses), you have friends with similar dreams (who will bail on you when things get difficult), a girlfriend (who loves you until it is inconvenient to do so), a dog (who your girlfriend, now ex-girlfriend, took with her). Everything is perfect as you always dreamt it. But wait, was this your dream or were you told to dream this for yourself?

You start thinking about how badly you wanted to be a musician, you were so fond of cooking that you applied and got into culinary school (you haven’t cooked anything in a year now), you liked art (but you can no longer use colors that bright anymore). You wanted to join the college radio show instead of business clubs. You wanted to be an entrepreneur instead of working for someone. You wanted to help others succeed instead of stepping on them selfishly.

You wake up one day, 3 months away from your 25th birthday, look in the mirror and realize you don’t recognize that kid anymore. You have a different accent, a thick beard, your hair are long now. You were convinced you look this way because it is what you wanted, are you sure? You don’t know who you can count on, what country you belong to, you don’t even remember your passions anymore.

Who are you?