Who you are and what you are becoming

After conversing with young people on a daily basis, I believe that the most important thing that under 30s can focus on is understanding who they are and who they want to become.

We are so limited, as young people, by the narrow experience of the world that we have. Relationships with our location, community, other young people, adults etc. that who we think we are, and who we truly are, are two different things.

Rather than trying to fit in, rather than regurgitating what we have been told for a lifetime, rather than knowing the boundaries of our suburb, young people should be thrown into a range of situations, circumstances, challenges and positions. A simple debate may help to provide an alternative view point, a written piece and presentation led by sheer interest could spark a passion, a guest talk or trip may provide an open window into a new way of living and thinking.

We should encourage our young people to constantly challenge and question who they are, their experiences and, in turn, the society and world they are moving into. We provide them the tools to the refine who they are and provide them with learning opportunities to gain experience and insight into who they want to become.