I thought this morning would be like any other day. I’d get up, spend time with family, head to the beach with friends, and all would be right in the world. No worries, no responsibilities, nothing. Just Sunday Funday, as I like to call it. And then something hit me—worry.

It’s funny how worry works. He invites himself into our lives whenever he feels like it, often at the most unexpected times. Worry is like that nosy neighbor who brings over burnt apple crisp and uses it as an excuse to invite themselves into your home unannounced, or that slacker from your 8 a.m. who uses you for your notes on the stages of mitosis and meiosis—utterly unwanted and unwelcome—yet he shows up anyway without fail.

Thoughts about my future were flung at me like darts to a bullseye, and I was getting hit. And in one moment, I went from calm, cool, and collected to crying about grad school. On my list of worries eclipsing me today were everything from what I’m going to wear to dinner tonight to what my career will be and what city I will choose to raise my children in. How ridiculous is that? That despite my rationale telling me that I am 19 years old and I still have youthful time left, I found myself attempting to answer questions to problems I don’t even have yet.

One thing I find myself realizing more and more is that this worry is simply unavoidable. You can’t prepare for it, you can’t understand it, and you’ll never be able to shove it in a box and put it away. Luckily, I’ve been blessed to have people in my life who help me to decrease that worry and nagging of responsibilities to come, whether large or small.

And what I’ve discovered and learned from those people lately is that the secret to figuring it all out is that you will never figure it all out—so stop trying to make things perfect. Did I get your hopes up? Did you think there was actually a secret or rule for living a perfect, smooth-sailing life? Because there’s no such thing. It just doesn’t exist. And it doesn’t exist because there is no such thing as a flawless, seamless life. You aren’t supposed to have it all figured out.

There will be tears and “I don’t know what I’m going to do about…” moments and a whole lot of fear, but it’s part of the recipe for an exciting, enthralling journey. Who would want to live a life where everything was mapped out? I surely wouldn’t. In fact, I’d take unsure and terrified over boring and known any day. Life is beautiful as it is, whether a valley or a mountain-top moment, so don’t waste your time borrowing trouble.

Live in the moment, make memories, and discover your passions, but don’t let tomorrow ruin your today. Be present and content where you’re at and enjoy this crazy thing called life. Happiness is a choice, so choose it.