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By Melissa Fleur Afshar
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A 34-year-old woman has gone viral on TikTok after sharing her refusal to conform to society's traditional milestones, prompting a heated online discussion about the different lifestyles that millennials lead.
Daria Kropop's video, posted under @dariakropop on November 28, has been viewed 107,000 times, with viewers divided over her rejection of conventional life goals like marriage, homeownership and career advancement. Plenty of viewers applauded her authenticity, while others criticized her decisions, suggesting she might regret them later.
"There is so much pressure to have everything figured out and to hit certain milestones, but some of us have different priorities or simply are not there yet," Kropop, who is based in London, England, told Newsweek. "Not everyone wants the same things in life, and that is okay. We should celebrate the fact that we have the freedom to choose our own paths."
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The video features a carousel of images from Kropop's personal life, each illustrating a "controversial" decision she has made in recent years.
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"Controversial things I do as a 34-year-old," an overlaid text on the first image in the carousel read, before detailing the key ways in which Kropop refuses to conform to societal expectations. "I am not interested in getting married and having kids, I live in a shared flat in London with three strangers, I don't really care about climbing the career ladder, I spend most of my money on travel, I don't know if I will ever buy a house.
"I'm not too old for this, I barely ever think I'm too old to do anything."
For Kropop, these choices are not about rebellion, but about creating a life aligned with her values.
"My mission is to break society's rules about what we should and should not do at a certain age," she added. "We are all on our own timelines, and it is never too late to change your life or reinvent yourself.
"Life does not end when you turn 30."
'We Need More Normality Online'
Kropop's video taps into a growing cultural conversation about changing life trajectories, particularly among millennials. With rising housing costs, shifting attitudes toward family, and the influence of social media, many young adults are questioning the feasibility—and desirability—of achieving traditional benchmarks by certain ages.
Kropop's post resonated with many viewers who left comments expressing relief and solidarity.
"I love this! I also don't want to get married, have children, or buy a house as someone chronically ill, life is too short for these responsibilities," wrote one viewer, while another shared: "You are exactly like me!"
"I so wanna stay on childfree [TikTok] I relate to you so much on the topic of kids," another said, while a different viewer commented: "I think that coming generations will be happier, now that women are able to chose if they want to be mothers or not."
However, not all of the responses were supportive. Critics of Kropop's lifestyle took to their keyboards to share their opinions on the potential long-term consequences of forgoing marriage, children and financial investments like homeownership.
The comments come amid growing discussion on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram about the so-called sell-by date of young women, and the perception that they are "too old" for milestones like marriage, traveling or parenting after a certain age.
One viewer commented: "Aside from the travel and job part, the rest sounds like my worst nightmare, but the beauty of people is we're all different. If you're happy and not harming anyone, it doesn't matter what others think."
"House is for future you (how would you rent when you retire?) Just buy and rent it out," another said.
"Until you are 40 and alone, not so quirky then," another added.
"Sharing a house with strangers is not the flex you think it is," another added, while a different viewer commented: "You are definitely overthinking the whole life thing, I'd get some one to one therapy."
One more viewer said: "This is the prequel to having purple hair and blaming everyone else for being unhappy in 5 years."
Such remarks reflect expectations that certain milestones must be achieved to secure stability and happiness. Kropop, however, remains unfazed by the backlash online.
"We need more 'normality' on social media," she said. "It is so hard not to compare yourself to 23-year-old influencers on TikTok with their aesthetic houses and seemingly perfect lives, and feeling like you are somehow behind."
Adventure Over Convention
Among the key points in Kropop's video is her decision to prioritize experiences over material assets.
"I spend most of my money on travel," she said, reflecting the millennial generation's broader shift toward valuing experiences over possessions.
Studies have shown that many millennials have allocated large chunks of their disposable income to travel and leisure activities rather than traditional markers of success like homeownership.
Kropop also acknowledged that her reluctance to buy a house stems not only from financial considerations, but from a deeper uncertainty about where she wants to settle.
"I might never buy [a house] because I am not sure where I want to live," she said.
This freedom to explore different options, she argues, is part of what makes her life fulfilling. By embracing adventure over convention, Kropop hopes to set an example for her followers online who feel pressured to conform to societal timelines.
"I love the community I am building; we all inspire each other," she said. "I received so many lovely comments and messages from many people saying they relate so much to my life and that it made them feel better."
Perhaps the most powerful message from Kropop's post is her insistence that age should not be a limiting factor in pursuing dreams. Her carousel included the declaration: "I'm not too old for this," emphasizing her belief that self-imposed age limits often hold people back from embracing change or trying new things.
"I have also started a series called 'Starting Over at 34,' where I am trying to change my life in a year, proving it is never too late," she said. "We are all on our own timelines."
As her story continues to gain traction online, Kropop hopes to normalize the idea that adulthood does not have to follow a rigid script. Instead, she wants to encourage others to live authentically and make choices that bring them happiness.
"It is never too late to do what you want," she added.
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