When we shirk our own desires and beat ourselves into submission of sociocultural norms, the status quo and conventional living, we fail to make our lives our own. As we age, the reality of our choices sinks in and becomes regret. When it comes to our careers, it’s 47 years that we won’t get back. That’s most of our lives. That’s not a kind realization when you’re in your golden years. You might have a nice retirement account, but what is money when you realize you were too bound to convention to really live?