Ahh, the age old question, what to do with my life? I don't know about you, but this is something that I am struggling with.
In high school I was very confident, probably too confident. I knew who I was, what I wanted, and what I didn't want. I went after the things I wanted and I accomplished them. I made sure not to be distracted by the 'popular' crowd and not to get into things like 'drinking'. I felt that I was too good for those things, therefore I did not need them. Wow, I was a cocky young person!
I entered college with a different attitude, maybe that's where I went wrong...? Upon entering college I decided that I wanted to do and try everything. So rather than working towards a goal (career) I wanted to experience life and just have fun. (I should have traveled instead of going to college to get that.) I did just that though, I tried everything in college and had a fun time. (Maybe some things I shouldn't have tried, but no regrets...right?) I also received a great education, but that part didn't matter as much. I majored in something I thought was fun, rather than something I thought I wanted to pursue as a career.
After college my mindset went from wanting to try everything, to wanting to experience the world. Finally I was on my own, which meant I could go wherever I wanted and do whatever I wanted. Having that feeling for the first time as a young adult is phenomenal! You feel invincible. So once again, I did just that. I road tripped to LA, lived there for a while, road tripped back to Virginia, lived there for a while. I took care of old people, managed a fitness center, worked in a coffee shop, worked in a greenhouse, led childrens activities on a farm... Then, I went to South Korea to teach English, did that for a while. I came back to the states (got married- another story) I worked at Rosetta Stone, then I managed a Pilates studio for a while. Then I started my own chocolate business. I did that until Andy got a too-good-to-turn-down job offer in California. So I closed my business, and here I am.
All of that brings me to my current unknowing position. What do I want to do with my life?? I have traveled, learned new skills, helped people, taught people, learned about plants... and Pilates, and started my own business. Shew, that is a lot...is it time to retire yet??
I feel like I am starting all over again. Picking my major as a freshman. Except I am not going to college, I am just living my life, deciding what to do next. I wish it was as easy as having a set career and looking for the next job position in that career. Instead, I have to figure out what I am good at, what do I want to spend my days doing, what am I qualified for...do I need or want more education? I feel lost, I really do. Those are hard questions to answer. When the sky is the limit, how do you pick just one thing? And where do you start?
The outtakes were too funny not to post.
PS - What you don't know is that I am wearing yoga pants and slippers in the bottom part of the picture.
I so remember asking myself that question and then I saw this quote which has been my guiding light since:
ReplyDelete"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
-Howard Thurman
Have fun gracing the world with YOU!
I like that, thanks for sharing it. :) My mom also told me a quote that she just heard: "Whatever you decide is the right thing". I keep playing that over in my head and love it!
DeleteMaybe you should go to space. Why limit yourself to the sky?
ReplyDeleteTrue! I did want to be an astronaut growing up.
DeleteAnother thought...
ReplyDeleteThe older you get, the fewer your options. Not a pleasant thought, but a good one to be aware of when you're younger. It's harder for me to get a decent job now that I'm older. My college education has become obsolete. That happens very quickly! But now I don't have the time or money to go back to school just so I can get a better job. Your options become more limited, but you just need to be flexible and creative. It doesn't have to be the end. :0)
This is exactly how I feel. I've gotten pretty high up in companies I hated, so now I have great qualifications in 2 different fields of work that make me miserable. I am willing to make a change and go after a career that will make me happy, I just have no idea what that career is, or how to begin pursuing it! As of now (outside of the 2 careers I loathe) I have no marketable skillset. I'm not a spring chicken, either - and as the previous comment notes - options become more limited as time passes :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. It is definitely frustrating. I keep being told that I should turn what I love into a job. It worked last year when I turned my chocolate passion into a business creating chocolate truffles, unfortunately I sold that business when we my husbands job moved us. Now I just need to figure out how to do that with something else...maybe that will work for you too?
Delete