My Message To People Who Are NOT In The 30 Under 30 List

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Forbes recently published their annual 30 under 30 list: a showcase of influencers, in various topics, who are under the age of 30 doing something pretty awesome things in the world: as a side note, the founder and COO of our very own Thought Catalog, Chris Lavergne and Alex Magnin, were on the media list. 

This list, though amazing, has many of friends screaming at me:

“JONATHAN, WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?”

I love my friends. I’m just tired of their screaming. This is why I’m writing this message. It’s for those under 30 somethings or just anyone who is questioning their life in comparison with the people on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. 


Dear You,

I understand Forbes didn’t contact you to be on their 30 under 30 list because you were not seen by them as an influencer to the world of well, anything. Honestly, who cares? You should care as much as you care about the water in a toilet. It doesn’t matter. 

There is absolutely no reason to compare your life with theirs because you’re on your way to do something completely different. You have your own path, your own worries, and your own goals that you want to accomplish… all on your own time. Comparing your life with them will only gratuitously stress you out and waste valuable time, time you could be using on your own projects. Also, stress creates a toxin called cortisol, which increases your chance of getting cancer. 

I’m telling you worrying about your life, in comparison with these 30 under 30s, will just get you closer to death. I’m not saying let these people not inspire you to work harder and faster, I’m merely enforcing that their life shouldn’t affect the vision you have put on yourself. 

Cliche as this may sound, but if you’re working your butt off, learning new things, and doing everything you can possibly do to accomplish your goals, you my friend, are in itself generally amazing. I suggest you take a long shower, then look yourself in the mirror, and then analyze all the great things you’re doing now. Love your progress as you should love yourself. Then, continue to be your badass self and keep pushing forward. 

I’m not going to lie, I do admire these 30 under 30s and I have given them a verbal accolade to others for what they’ve done. But, this is all I can do because in the end it’s up to me to define my own path and I’m not going to let some list rush me to get it done.

Give yourself a break. 

You’re working hard.

Don’t give up. It takes time.

And, remember, you are simply, amazing.

You too, are amazing. 

image – Forbes