Trust me, I'm aware that there are a million other articles out there supporting the aesthetic of being a "hot mess" for those in the college/20-something age range, and while I am no exception to feeling like my life is falling apart more often than not, I'm not here to glorify that or tell you it's OK. Now, I'm not saying you have to know everything about where you want to be and have a detailed, hand-written outline of what steps you are going to take to get there, because I'm one to talk. Both of my siblings knew what they wanted to do from an early age and have tackled their paths with burning passions. And then, there's me -- a year of college under my belt, and I still am not completely sure where I want to be in 10 years. The last thing I want to talk about at family reunions or dinners with my parents is my future and my plans to get there -- mostly because my thought on the matter will seem nothing short of ridiculous to a generation who was raised believing their sole purposes when searching for a career were to establish structure, make money and do better than their parents. For the record, I'm not knocking this belief. I actually see a lot of credibility in it, and it's even a half of my own personal conflict. The other half of my divide is to "follow my dreams," as is endlessly preached by today's generation, but at what expense? And, thus, the search for a happy medium continues.
"Do what you love, and find a way to make money at it."
My father's reminder rings in the back of my mind with every major decision I make because he's worked himself to the bone his entire life to provide for his family, and I refuse to let that go to waste even if I'm not a hundred percent sure on how to fulfill it yet. The important thing is, I'm working on it and still won't give up even after I figure it out. We all have our talents and strong suits, but some of us haven't the slightest clue of how to combine them in order to find (or create) a career that is financially and personally satisfying. The good news is that there are thousands of opportunities available today and tomorrow that weren't available for our parents -- just like our parents had opportunities that their parents did not. Maybe there's something you want to do, but the skills required for that field are your biggest weaknesses. That's exactly where you have to step up and make it work.
There's a lot of encouragement going around via Facebook/Tumblr/Twitter/Pinterest posts that highlight celebrities who didn't make it to big-name status until a late age, and while I do agree with the concept of not knowing what opportunities will arise in the future, I do not agree with the message that people should wait to seek them. What I'm trying to tell you is that it's OK to not know which path you want to take, but it is not OK to avoid or overlook opportunities and just assume success will break down your door one day. While I'm not trying to crush the dreams of those who glorify having fun and experiencing all you possibly can while you're young, I do believe a lot of people take this advice for granted. We shouldn't seek escape from our stressful and pressure-filled lives by traveling and trying new things, but rather use these encounters to aid us on our quests -- after all, they are a part of life. While you're on a vacation or school trips or even just out running errands, take your surroundings into account, and think about yourself in those positions. Would you like to be doing what you see others doing for the rest of your life? Have you seen/heard/tried something new and realized it trumps your previous interests?
If yes, you have another option to research.
If no, at least you can narrow down the list.
Your calling can come and go in the blink of an eye, so don't let these things pass by as just "memories." Newsflash: the Internet can be used for more than just social media. Search your campus and community. Join clubs and take classes even if they aren't for your desired major or field -- it can always open your eyes to an interest you didn't even know you had. Ask around and tell people what you're looking for, and don't be embarrassed because I guarantee you that your peers will admire and envy that you have a strong enough interest in something to act on it -- they might even know someone that you could contact for even more opportunities -- you never know! People strive to have this kind of motivation but act like it's impossible to find because they think there's too many external factors standing in their way. In reality, you are your only obstacle. Get out there, and make your own way because one day, you'll wish you had.
