Where do you see yourself in ten years? In my senior year of high school, I answered this question so profoundly in my yearbook quote: "In line at Starbucks." Two years later, I’m still holding myself up to this standard. I answered this question the way that I did for three reasons: 1. I only had a five words in which to be creative, 2. I was trying to be funny, and 3. I had no idea where I would be.
This question invokes so much anxiety because, in retrospect, ten years is a shit ton of time. I’m 19 as I write this article, and in the last decade of my life, I have been in an elementary school, middle school, high school and college. I acquired my driver’s license and probably proved to my parents as well as the state of Michigan that this may have not been their best judgement call. I was a camper, but I also led campers and gave back the experience that I once had when I became a camp counselor. I ran away from boys during recess, played truth or dare in a basement, kissed my fair share of boys, and had my heart broken by a handful as well. Ten years has been a long time, and the best part about all of these things was that I went with the flow.
The way this question is phrased makes it seem like the next ten years of my life will happen tomorrow. I’m the type of person who doesn’t know what they want to eat for breakfast tomorrow, let alone what company they want to work for after they graduate college or where they want to live. Honestly, how am I supposed to know these things when I haven’t had the experiences that would lead me to make an educated decision on my future yet? I’m in the middle of taking classes and applying for internships in places across the country, and they will guide me to where I either do or do not want to be. The problem is, the places you will go it is all everyone wants to talk about. Whatever happened to asking people about how they are doing now?
It starts as early as high school, when people are trying to make you complete these career aptitude tests to see what you’re “really” interested in. Mine told me I was either going to be a funeral director or a bee keeper, because I said I didn't like working with people. Shout out to all of the funeral directors and bee keepers of the world; keep doing your jobs, but I know that it isn't for me. The bottom line is that at 14, 15, and 16 years old, you’re not supposed to be mapping your career on a computer, but rather taking college tours and figuring out your best path. Kudos to the 14-year-olds who know they are going to be a direct admit pre-med school student, move to LA, get married, have three kids, pay off any and all student loans, and live the American Dream.
It’s okay to not know your ten or even five year plan. Going with the flow of life rather than having a direct plan that eventually goes off course is a way to be less disappointed. Set goals for yourself rather than a “ten year plan,” and if you’re like me, and just waiting in line at Starbucks right now, that’s okay too.
