We've all had to face, at some point in time, the dreaded question: "what do you plan on doing after high school?" It's the question that most students fear. Why? Because figuring out what your "calling" is can sometimes be difficult - not to mention nerve-racking. As young adults, we spend years contemplating where we want to go and what we want to do, but some of us take more time and help in figuring it out. And that's okay!
There's a lot of pressure that comes along with figuring out who we are destined to be, and that pressure increases when we have to go to college to pursue it. Whether it be from negative responses from our peers or not knowing what fits us best, finding a passion and committing to it for the rest of our lives can be VERY stressful.
There are often times when we feel as if we have no clue what our motives are or what we should be doing; we feel as if we are stuck. It is terrifying when we feel like our life has no purpose or direction, but when we find our passion, that all changes. Finding our passion is like finding our own personal road map. When we know what our passion is, we feel motivated, inspired, and we become more confident.
If you are one of the many who are still struggling to find their passion, here are some tips to help you out:
1. Slow Down.
In high school, we tell ourselves that we need to hurry up and find an occupation; we need to have our lives figured out as soon as possible. Well, when we rush ourselves, we tend to overlook the most important ideas and scenarios. We do not give ourselves enough time to think of all the options, especially the ones that are best for us. Slowing down allows us to really think of every aspect and find the answers to the questions we ask. It allows us to listen to ourselves and what we want to do.
2. Try New Things.
Many of times we miss our true calling because we are bound to what we already know. We do not allow ourselves to go out of our comfort zone and try new things. When trying new things, there is no limit to what we may find, and what we find can potentially lead us to our passion.
3. Change Your Story.
This one goes along with trying new things. We tell ourselves stories about who we are and what we are capable of, and we hold on to that one single story. The problem with this is that we are always changing, growing. Who we are today can be completely different from who we were yesterday. Once we learn that we are ever-changing, we are able to write new stories until we map out the direction that is best for us to go in.
4. Have Confidence.
Too often do we hold ourselves back because we tell ourselves we can't do something. We keep telling ourselves "no, you can't," until it becomes a reality; we eventually begin to believe that we can't. There is always going to be a "what if," but if we never try we will never know. Everything comes with a chance of failure, but it will be impossible to ever succeed if we don't believe in ourselves. Having confidences allows us to put ourselves out there and do the things we never thought we would - allowing us to find our passion.
5. Look for Themes.
When we are doing our day-to-day routine, it's vital to look for themes. Look for what reoccurs often. Look for what we are drawn to. Look for what brings us joy. It'll allow us to create a pattern for us to follow.
6. Focus on Your Happiness.
Too often do we run from what we are passionate about because society doesn't see it fit. We are told that our passions will not support us in the long run. That there is not enough money in a certain field. We get so wrapped up in the expectations of ourselves and others, that we forget about what makes us truly happy. Our happiness is the most important aspect to look at. Who would want to do something they hated every day for the rest of their lives? That's right, no one.
All of these will help you in figuring out your passions and living the life you want to live. Don't let uncertainty stop you from living a life you love. Take a deep breath, give yourself time and find your passion.
