Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how society tends to define success — and how many of us let those definitions influence our relationships. One common belief is that being with someone who has less education than you is somehow a “step down.” But I ask myself: is that really true?
The truth is, success and happiness don’t come solely from academic achievements or the titles on our resumes. Success is deeply personal, rooted in drive, resilience, mindset, and how we show up in our lives every day.
I’ve known people with advanced degrees who, despite their qualifications, struggle with inspiration, passion, or authentic happiness. And I’ve seen others with less formal education who are thriving — building businesses, nurturing meaningful relationships, and living lives full of purpose.
So, perhaps we need to shift our perspective. Maybe success isn’t about what’s on paper. Maybe it’s about what we do with what we have. It’s about character, commitment, kindness, and the ability to keep going when life gets tough.
Love, too, is about connection, understanding, and accepting each other’s journey — regardless of societal labels. We often get caught up in superficial ways of measuring worth, but when we look beneath the surface, what really matters is how someone treats you, their character, and their drive to grow.
So next time you find yourself snatching at societal standards or judging someone’s value based on their resume, remember: life is richer than that. True success is about authenticity, resilience, and finding joy in the journey — not just ticking boxes.
Because at the end of the day, what makes a relationship or a person truly valuable is their heart and how they choose to walk through life. And that’s something no degree can define.
The IG Post ✨
R U B B I S H
I overheard someone say yesterday that being with a person who has less education than you is somehow a “step down.” In this day and age, I call this rubbish.
How many of you have a master’s degree but know someone who dropped out of college (or never even attended) and is now more successful than you?
We tend to equate success ONLY to degrees, titles and social statuses… when in reality success is also about drive, mindset, and taking action.
So before you cross out someone your heart is drawn to simply because you have a degree and they don’t, just remember what makes a relationship or a person truly valuable is their heart and how they choose to walk through life. And that’s something no degree can define.
Instagram: @girlnextdoorcarli