The letter I didn't send to Miss Manners

Dear Miss Manners,

Due to illness and debt, I dropped out of college a few years ago and, in that time, have managed to fulfill several unique lifelong dreams while continuing my education at a high level in my own time and on my own terms. I plan eventually to finish my BA at a local university, but not before I feel emotionally and physically prepared, and certainly not before it becomes financially feasible.

Unfortunately, it seems that I can’t go a week without someone asking me when I’m going to “do something” with my life, or admonishing me for “wasting potential.” I know how to handle my responses – to those who have no right criticizing my decisions, I remind them gently to mind their own business; and to those whose opinions matter to me, I explain my decisions carefully. My problem is that some people won’t accept these answers and that the issue keeps coming back to haunt me. Am I wrong to consider it an insult if someone repeatedly challenges my decisions, and am I right to insist on an apology for the slight? I just don’t think I should have to explain my decisions more than once to any single person or be put on the defensive for doing what is right for me.