procreate

here's a decision that will fundamentally alter every aspect of your life — your finances, your freedom, your relationships, your identity, your daily schedule for the next two decades — and most people put less thought into it than they put into buying a car.

the question nobody asks properly

do you actually want kids? not "is it what you're supposed to do" or "my parents want grandchildren" or "everyone else is doing it." do YOU want to create and raise a human being? that's a question worth sitting with for months, not answering reflexively.

there's no wrong answer. choosing not to have kids is just as valid as choosing to have them. what's not valid is sleepwalking into either outcome because you never deliberately decided.

timing is strategy

if you do want children, when? this isn't just a biological question — it's a financial, career, relationship, and lifestyle question. having kids at 22 versus 35 creates completely different life trajectories. neither is inherently better, but one probably aligns better with your goals.

map it out. where do you want to be financially before kids? what career milestones matter to you? how solid is your relationship? what experiences do you want to have while you're unencumbered?

plan for the reality

wanted or unwanted, planned or unplanned — kids change everything. if you're not ready for that change, take concrete steps to prevent it. if you are ready, take concrete steps to prepare. the worst position is no plan at all, which is exactly where most people sit.

contraception isn't just a medical decision — it's a life design decision. treat it with the seriousness it deserves.

decide, don't default

this week, have an honest conversation with yourself (and your partner, if applicable) about children. not a passing thought — a real discussion. write down your timeline, your concerns, and your conditions. make a plan either way. the specific plan matters less than having one at all.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.