Why Justin Bieber needs a Gap Year

I feel sorry for him

Poor Justin. I feel sorry for him, I really do.

He has spent his whole life establishing his music career. From the age of five, every day he wakes up and practices his singing. Some days he will improve his dancing skills. Maybe learn a new chord. On the weekend he relaxes, as we all do, but he will still put in a couple of hours at home, perfecting his vocal range or guitar.

Justin is a famous pop star because he has trained and practiced and worked his butt off.

And he’s certainly achieved tremendous success. He has sold millions of records and has a great future ahead of him.

So why do I feel sorry for him?

There is an enormous amount of pressure on Justin to succeed. His fans, his music contracts — even society! — have high expectations for Justin to reach and this is a heavy burden for someone who is still a teenager. It’s no wonder that he is stressed out and tired of the mental strain — his brain is fried!

My advice to Justin — what’s the rush? Justin is young and free to do as he pleases. Justin, why don’t you put your life on hold for a year?

How about taking a step back from the spotlight and doing your own thing for a while?

Justin should get some plane tickets and escape the everyday. See new sights. Do something good with his time — teach English in Thailand, lend a hand to an orphanage in Africa, wander through Europe with just a backpack. Justin — you’ve got the time. Have no regrets. Life will wait.

And when Justin returns from his year away, his fans will be excited to hear his stories. Of what it was like, out there on the road. Their eyes will widen with wonder and curiosity.

Justin will seem different too; wiser, with a mind broadened by his adventures. His batteries are now recharged and he can once again take to the world stage.

Life waited.

This seems like a smart idea, right???

Poor Justin has been working all his life and needs someone to tell him to take a break. Enjoy his youth while he can because the working world is just around the corner.

Pure common sense.

WAIT WAIT WAIT. Let’s try something with this.

Forget Justin Bieber for a moment.

Think of you.

Yes, you.

Is it too unrealistic to place you and Justin Bieber in the same shoes?

Ok, minus the fame and fortune.

Let’s re-read Justin’s story, but this time with you as the lead.

Trust me. It will change your life.

Poor you. I feel sorry for you, I really do.

You have spent your whole life establishing your career. From the age of five, every day you wake up and practice your studies. Some days you will improve your English skills. Maybe learn a new equation. On the weekend you relax, as we all do, but you will still put in a couple of hours at home, perfecting homework or an instrument.

You are good at what you do because you have studied and practiced and worked your butt off.

And you’ve certainly achieved tremendous success. You have completed high school and have a great future ahead of you.

So why do I feel sorry for you?

There is an enormous amount of pressure on you to succeed. Your parents, your friends — even society! — have high expectations for you to reach and this is a heavy burden for someone who is still a teenager. It’s no wonder that you are stressed out and tired of the mental strain — your brain is fried!

My advice to you — what’s the rush? You are young and free to do as you please. Why don’t you put your life on hold for a year?

How about taking a step back from the spotlight and doing your own thing for a while?

You should get some plane tickets and escape the everyday. See new sights. Do something good with your time — teach English in Thailand, lend a hand to an orphanage in Africa, wander through Europe with just a backpack. You’ve got the time. Have no regrets. Life will wait.

And when you return from your year away, your friends will be excited to hear your stories. Of what it was like, out there on the road. Their eyes will widen with wonder and curiosity.

You will seem different too; wiser, with a mind broadened by your adventures. Your batteries are now recharged and you can once again follow your dreams.

Life waited.

#justinbieberneedsagapyear