Let’s face it. Adulting is hard, and being in your late teens and early 20s is a super awkward time. One part of you wants to go out and have fun, a little carpe diem if you will. Then there’s the part of you that wants to stay in and bake banana bread on a Friday night, and save your money.
This can also be a weird and somewhat awkward time because you are focusing on getting good grades and ultimately graduating college. You also have to worry about finding a job or internship in your field of study. You then have to balance your schoolwork and said internship or job. It can become quite overwhelming and start to feel like a huge burden. Declaring a major and basically figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life is also a scary and intimidating thought that needs to be addressed during your late teens and early 20s. I don’t know about you, but I definitely find this to be a daunting concept. I can’t even decide on an outfit, let alone a career path.
You are probably also seeing your peers taking different paths. Some may be getting married and starting a family. Others may have never even gone to college and just started to work right after high school, or some may be applying to get into graduate school. You may even see people who graduated high school after you start their career and move to some big city. It can be overwhelming seeing this, and may even make you begin to second-guess your path.
The important thing when seeing all of this is to not get discouraged. If anything, you should try and get motivated by other’s success, and the stories and experiences they share. Maybe you don’t have your life figured out yet, but take solace in knowing that almost nobody does. One of the nice things about this awkward time in your life is how flexible you can be. It isn’t impossible to take a job in a different state. If you have to work two jobs, you can. It might not be easy, or ideal, but it is comforting to know that nothing is permanent and you can always work to improve your current situation.
The more people I have talked to the more I realize that many of them are just winging it. Sometimes it works out for them, and sometimes it doesn’t. The important thing is to not get disheartened and keep trying new things and new paths. You will eventually find your calling. It may take longer than others, but who cares? Everyone is unique and it is important to embrace your own qualities that set you apart from others. Hang in there. You got this.
