I’m A Woman Who’d Rather Have A Soulmate Than A Salary — And That’s Okay

There’s a really great quote from Lady Gaga out there that says, “Some women chose to follow men and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.”

This quote perfectly sums up lady power. It’s motivational and just shouts “YASSSS WOMEN” or “I don’t need no man.”

But try as I might, I’m not that kind of girl.

For as long as I can remember people have been asking me, what do you want to be when you grow up? I’m guilty of asking my young cousins the same thing. Here I am staring at this 8-year-old, asking them the tough question, when here I am at 25 still not even sure of my own answer.

Because honestly, the answer is, I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.

The kind of women who are motivated by Lady Gaga’s quote are incredible. They are motivated by success, they are daringly independent, and have dreams of being female CEO’s.

But that’s not me, and I’m still trying to be okay with it.

I did what was expected of me. I did the college thing. In fact, I was the first person in my entire family to attend a traditional four-year university. I was involved on campus, I joined a sorority, and I had multiple internships. But now as I sit here in the cubicle I worked so hard for, I’m not motivated, I don’t feel successful.

My version of success is not waking up and going to work in a big city office every day. I don’t dream of seeing my company on Forbes list of top places to work. My dream office is a mountainside clearing where I can paint and write every day, surrounded by the people I love.

The truth is that I’d rather have my soulmate than a cushy salary.

I don’t need to make the big boss bucks, I just want to make enough money to pay off my student loans and drive a car that doesn’t ominously shake when it goes over 48mph.

I’ve been in a serious relationship for almost four years now and if he got a job transfer and I had to leave my job, I would. Because he’s a part of my dream, my vision for the future. I would follow my man.

But I (think) I finally understand what Lady Gaga was getting at. It’s not about choosing love or career.

It’s about choosing a life that you’re in love with. It’s about not letting a single person be the reason you get out of bed in the morning, unless that single person is you.

It’s about being okay with the fact that you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up. It’s still possible to make a career out of following your own path. Not every little girl has to become a CEO or a president. It’s about being in control of your destiny and leading your life with confidence.

So choose love or choose your career, just choose YOUR dream.

My dream might just involve my guy, my dog, and the mountainside.

And mother monster says that’s okay.