What everyone else considers “normal” might have nothing to do with what’s actually right for your life.

Do You Really Need to Do What Everyone Else Is Doing?

People love to say things like,
“Marriage brings regret either way,”
and then add,
“So you might as well marry and regret it later.”

It sounds clever.
It sounds like wisdom.
But is it actually true?

We often accept these sayings as if they’re universal facts.
Most of the time, they’re nothing more than social habits passed down from a world that no longer exists.

Before adopting any social expectation,
the question should always be simple:
Does this fit the life I want to build?

Most people never ask.
They follow the pattern because it feels easier
than questioning the norm.

Where Social Norms Come From

Norms aren’t created by accident.
They’re shaped by what a society wants from its people.

Marriage, for example, naturally leads to
mortgages, car payments, insurance policies, healthcare expenses, child-related costs—
all of which create stability and predictable consumption.

It forms the “responsible adult” society favors.
But what society wants isn’t always what you want.
The two are not the same,
and pretending they are only creates conflict.

Is Marriage Still a Logical Step Today?

The world has changed.
Housing costs keep rising.
Rent climbs every year.
Childcare often costs as much as rent itself.
Healthcare is its own layer of financial stress.

Even with two incomes, responsibilities rarely divide evenly.
Freedom, time, and personal energy shrink faster than expected.

Marriage today isn’t an automatic phase of adulthood.
It’s a major legal and financial commitment—
yet many enter it simply because
“that’s what people are supposed to do.”

The Part People Avoid Talking About: Divorce

Marriage begins with emotion,
but it exists as a binding legal agreement.

And legal agreements come with legal endings.

Divorce can involve:

splitting assets
child support
alimony
dividing retirement plans (QDRO)
long-term financial obligations

None of this makes marriage bad.
It simply makes it a decision that should be made consciously
—not because of social pressure.

Is a Single Life Really Lonely?

Not necessarily.
Living alone has become a fully normal lifestyle, especially in cities.

Choosing not to marry can mean:

no mortgage pressure
freedom to live where and how you want
more time for yourself
more room for travel and personal growth
full control of your money
less emotional and financial load

Even with a modest income,
a single person can often enjoy a higher quality of life
because their time and money reflect their own priorities.

Meanwhile, marriage often expands fixed expenses dramatically—
limiting freedom in ways people don’t anticipate.

Most Harmful Habits Begin With: “Everyone Else Was Doing It”

Vaping, alcohol, compulsive gaming, sports betting, endless scrolling, unhealthy relationships—
people rarely start these things intentionally.

They start because
“everyone else was doing it,”
or because not joining in feels strange.

But anything with addictive potential
is always easier to avoid than escape.

This principle doesn’t just apply to habits.
It applies to big life decisions too—
especially those driven more by pressure than clarity.

A Conclusion About Living Your Own Life

Many things people say are not always right.
Whether it’s the government, your friends, your family, or the culture around you,
someone is always trying to recommend what you should do.
It may sound like guidance,
but often it works as subtle pressure.

Some of the things people urge you to start—
habits, commitments, lifestyles—
are exactly the things that become difficult to quit once you begin.
And many of us were pushed toward these influences
long before we had the maturity to understand the consequences.

But when you look closely,
you realize many of those things were never necessary at all.
People recommend them because they don’t see the downsides—
or because they know how hard it is to escape once you're already in.

If something doesn’t fit you,
your values,
or your vision for your life,
you don’t have to accept it—no matter who suggests it.