For starters nobody knows what they are doing. No one has their entire life planned out, and if they do, I am impressed. Luckily we have our entire lives to figure it out. So before you start to go into a panic, remember to breathe and you're not alone.
Being a college student with all of the external pressures is challenging. We are told to clarify a major, get out into the world and experience, to get internships, and at the end of your four years; land a job. But it is not that simple.
About two years ago, we were in classrooms, now we are thrown into real life aimlessly running around looking for validation, support, and signs. I am here to say I understand you, I see you, and I feel for you.
It is difficult to have someone ask the question of, "What do you want to do with your life?". We are so quick to say I don't know. But that has a negative connotation to it, and I think that we should be conscious of the words we speak out into the universe. So the next time someone asks you that ambiguous question say, " I am figuring it out."
I am someone who has always stressed over the future. I know how I envision my life to be. I want to marry, have children, to connect with people on deep levels, and to wake up everyday with a grateful heart for the life I have chosen.
Anxiety gets the best of this vision sometimes and hijacks my moral compass. I now being a sophomore communications major in college; still feel like I have no clue what I want out of this experience.
Last year I would constantly stress over my end goal. Life is a vast, open opportunity and the thought of not having a clear end goal in sight, well it is frightening. This is something that I have personally been trying to work on, going with the flow and not forcing life. Just letting it be.
The important thing to know is how you want to impact the world and people around you. Start there and the rest will simply fall into place as it should. Think about what you want out of this life. Lets talk through it in steps.
Step 1; For me, I want to help those around me. Whether it is in small or large ways. I want to be a resource and a helping hand in times of need. Now that could lead me to a number of directions in life. Doctors, Therapists, and even Writers; they all have impact.
Step 2; Figure out where your strengths are and utilize them. I understand that I am not scientifically minded, I am more of an abstract thinker than reliant on concrete facts. I have more of a holistic mindset and approach to life.
Step 3; How would my work fit into my daily life. Do I want to pursue something that allows for me to travel? Personally, yes. I would love nothing more than to be exposed to the abundant cultures and perspectives that the world has to offer.
After these three steps, it is a comforting way to ease our minds. Because even though you do not know the exact direction you're headed in, you know the three goals of how you want to live.
It isn't hard to get trapped in the riptide of questioning, fighting against the currents of life. Instead, just ride the wave. Set reminders for yourself daily. For me I recently got the tattoo "Be Present", on my wrist.
This reminder is that I am young, living in the now. That I do not need to know exactly where I am going, but I should sure as hell enjoy every moment spent on this earth. Absorb information, expand my mind, try every day to be the best possible version of myself.
Your purpose falls into place as it should once you ride the wave of life. I have not found purpose yet but I am on the way! By expressing myself through the art of sharing and writing. Connecting to those through words and allowing for them to relate to me and feel like they are not alone. Perhaps this is my destiny and what the universe has set out as my purpose. Or maybe this is the transitional period to my purpose, I don't know!
Either way it is a learning experience, guiding me into my next phase of life. So the next time you are stressed, anxious, or simply frightened by not knowing, know this; it's okay to just be "figuring it out".
