Some people have everything figured out in their lives. From knowing exactly what company they want to work for to where they want to live, they have a life plan set in stone before they even graduate college.
However, if you're anything like me, that whole concept seems crazy to you. I don't even know what I want for breakfast tomorrow, much less which company I want to work for. I know I want to live somewhere down South, away from this cold nonsense, preferably Florida. But that's all I've got.
In a world where it seems like you have to have everything figured out so soon, it can be frustrating. You can start to feel like you don't have a purpose, because if you did, you would definitely have a clue by now. Right? I mean, come on, everyone else knows, why don't I? What's wrong with me?
But I'm here to tell you you're wrong. And I'm here to tell you it will be OK.
Three years ago, I came into college positive I wanted to do one of two things, teach or go into counseling and help make a difference and to save lives. Well as it turns out, I can't teach math any better than I can do it myself, and I couldn't see myself as a counselor.
After both of my dreams got crushed by reality, I hit a hard place. What was I supposed to do now? I didn't have any other interests or talents that could be turned into jobs I wanted to do. It was drop out or suffer in my opinion. Everyone talked about how practical college was, I couldn't find it in me to agree. Feelings of worthlessness and uncertainty overpowered me and dropping out seemed like the only answer.
As I've always said though, everything happens for a reason, and life works in mysterious ways. It was through pure chance that I rediscovered my talent and love of writing through helping a friend. It was then that I realized that I could stay in college and grow as a writer, especially through all of the opportunities that Clarion has to offer.
Now, for the first time, I am proud of myself and where my life is taking me. I can do so many different things, and if I want to, I can still help people through my writing. I'm finally happy doing what I'm doing. I've finally found my niche. It was all because I took a risk and decided to try something different, change my major one more final time and see what happens.
I still believe that college may not be for everyone, and that's OK. It's OK not to know what you want right away. It's OK to take a year, or seven, take a break, collect your thoughts and really find yourself. Pressure doesn't help anything, and staying stuck in a miserable situation isn't going to be beneficial.
What's going to help you is to take risks, try new things, explore your options. If you're stuck with what you want to do, go out with an open mind and really get to know what you like to do. Don't knock anything until you try it, because if you shut out all your options you'll stay stuck.
Eventually, you will find something. You may feel trapped in uncertainty now, but I promise, you can escape. With a little hard work and determination, you'll find yourself eventually. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is your future. Life is all about progression and learning experiences. Just because it isn't the norm doesn't mean it can't be your norm. Remember, you can't find what you don't look for, including yourself. It takes time, but it'll be OK. Everything happens for a reason. Go find yours.
