The Right Degree of Planning (a poem)

Poem developed by Ready WA Storyteller Alice B.

“You only live once,”
Is how the saying goes
So I suppose that means that I
Should prep for what life throws.

We’re told that we should plan ahead
For our future and tomorrow
At an age where growing up
Might be quite hard to swallow.

In hindsight, you are glad
For all the prepping that you did
It makes things a lot easier
When looking for a gig.

Instead of panicking, you’re financing
And schools, you’ve got a lock
On what you want, and where you’ll go
It’s mapped out to the dot.

If you work hard at school and tests
When you go out the gate
You’ll know exactly what to do
To make your future great.

But,

While you spend all your free time
Researching ‘bout careers,
You let yourself forget about
The life you have right here.

You get distracted by what’s yet to come
You miss out on today.
You stress out about a problem
That might not happen anyway.

And in doing so you lose out,
On all you could’ve been.
I know, I know, I probably
Sound like that concerned friend.

So I think that it’s important
To keep in back of mind,
Proactiveness is awesome!
But don’t let it steal your time.

Think about a major
While doing minor things
Like going to a school event
Or playing with siblings.

We often take for granted
What many learn too late
That carrying those burdens
Only multiplies with age.

So maybe slow on down a bit
And take a quick look back.
Are you truly ready to give up
The freedom that you had?

The ability to just relax
The privilege to unyoke
Do you really want to rush through that
Before you leave your home?

I’ve realized throughout high school
That you need a bit of both.
You should plan out your future
While leaving room for growth.