For many in the U.S., a normal work life was work for a company for 30 years and retire. I know that some of you are shaking your head and wondering who still thinks that way. I have some friends who do. They can hardly conceive of looking elsewhere outside of what they have been doing for a number of years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person will start about 11 different jobs by age 46. It sounds like normal should be change jobs when, if, or as needed. The days of staying put are no longer normal.
Another "normal" that really should be thrown out is the idea of debt accumulation. I have been there. I wanted as many credit cards as I could get my hands on. I was gleeful to send in yet another credit app and wait for a big, fat credit line. I now do everything with cash. I have not used or had a credit card in almost a year, and it has been wonderful. The times I have had the most debt, I have also had the most stress. If you want to make a "new" normal financially, check out Dave Ramsey to get started. That's what I did.
The last "normal" that I want to rant about is the idea that we all want/need/deserve a fancy car/house/pool/other expensive material item. What we need in most cases is food, shelter, and transportation. We don't deserve a luxury condo or a fancy sports car. We aren't entitled to "the finer things" just because we want them. If we all scaled back our lifestyles to match what we truly need and what we can actually handle (financially, emotionally), we would be happier for it. I used to want the gigantic house just because I thought I "needed" it. I also "needed" a brand new car in the driveway. The truth is I wanted to show off. I don't anymore.
So I ask you all to join me in the "abby normal" area and create something different, and, dare I say, better?