It’s completely okay to feel or be lost. If anything, I encourage you to bask in it while you’re in it. While you’re thinking everyone else is doing what they’re supposed to, while you’re wondering why you still haven’t done what you wanted to do with your life, come what may, this needs to happen.
Humans have this knack for thinking everything should be falling into place by the ripe old age of 25, 31, etc. We’re constantly met with this pressure from our peers that we should be tackling life head on, yet we feel we’re floating in a stagnant river. Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed age or time that things work out.
Maybe the peer pressure isn’t there. Maybe those around you are supporting you, but you still aren’t sure of your next move. I don’t think I’ve met a single person yet who hasn’t felt lost at least once especially during the years of 20-30.
I’m here to tell you you’re exactly where you need to be.
This period of our lives teaches us to stand still for a moment. Each of our moments will happen at different intervals and will vary in lengths, however don’t concern yourself with how long it will last. Instead, wait. It’s hard to do this because, since day one, we’re taught “Go, go, go!” so it’s only natural that our spirits need to rest.
Sometimes this can happen by comparing your lives to someone else. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. We generally compare ourselves to people around our age group because we grew up with them, so we gauge our accomplishments and progress based on how they’re doing it. It’s a toxic thing we do to ourselves and we’ve all done it. As an artist, I’ve found much younger artists that had talent I thought I could never reach. Falling into self-defeat, I put my pencil down and grumble wondering why I didn’t work harder to get there.
If you find yourself doing this, instead say to yourself “I can’t wait until I can do that,” or “My path is different and that’s okay.” Speak to yourself as if you were speaking to a best friend.
You may be experiencing this low-mode called “depression” that’s influencing these lost feelings. It’s something that’ll prevent you from even doing things that you love. Bask in that too, if you can. Much of my character development happened during my low-mode. I had less sense of care for my life, so I took advantage of that and tried doing things that I wouldn’t have normally done when I was happy. To this day I’m glad I went through that because I know much more now.
If you have something you love to do and it makes your heart glad, do it. Responsibilities are always a thing of course, but still strive to follow what you want. Many people will discourage you, but there are many more who will encourage you. Keep those people around. You will always have critics, so you might as well do what you like.
In summary, if you have to compare, be positive with it. Encourage yourself as you would with a close friend. Bask in this moment, you need it. Do what you love. And finally, you’re okay.
