The other day, I was sitting in class when my professor asked the class what seemed to be a simple question. Where will you be in five years? Now, she was asking in context of careers, as we were discussing mandated reporting of child abuse — a cheerful subject, I know. Anyway, the question in and of itself doesn’t seem to be too difficult, especially for a college student. Most of my classmates had answers right away. Teacher, counselor, accountant, etcetera. You get the picture. I just sat quietly and kept my thoughts to myself. To be honest, I have a very real answer to that question, it’s just not very helpful to the class discussion. As a graduating senior, it’s assumed that I should know. Most of my peers and classmates seem so sure of themselves and where they are headed. I used to be like that too. If you had asked me five years ago where I’d be today, I probably would have told you that I’d be married and finishing up a master’s program. Let’s all laugh together, shall we?
In the past few years, I’ve learned that really, it’s not logical or sensible to have a plan set in stone for where you’re going. Now, in no way am I saying to not plan for the future; that’s not the point I’m trying to make. By all means, start a savings account, keep good credit, look for jobs, all of that good stuff. Plan for the future, but always remember that nothing is set in stone.
In December I’m graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and I’m planning on applying to graduate school next fall. I have a plan, but also my field of vision is clear and wide open. I’m incredibly aware that I might take a job, move up the ranks in some company, find a place I love, and never go to grad school. Maybe I’ll find a mediocre job, get married, have kids, and be a stay at home mom. Maybe I’ll apply to grad school, get my master’s degree, become a counselor, and everything will work itself out exactly according to my plan. All of these things are possibilities, but nothing is for certain. What is for certain is that no matter where I am or what I am doing, I will be happy and that’s all that matters.
It’s okay to not have a plan. Ask the people in your life that you admire how they got to be to where they are now. I’m betting that almost none of them will say their lives went exactly as they planned. Sometimes you have to take advantage of the things that bring you joy regardless of whether or not they’re part of your plan. And if you find that some part of your plan doesn’t bring you joy, you shouldn’t feel pressured to stick with it. No matter where you are or what you are doing, above money, status, and everything else, it should bring you joy. Having a plan can be extremely useful, and should be used as a roadmap for your future. Yes, you may have a route in mind, but detours and rest stops happen, and sometimes you just need to stop and take in the scenery along the way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. Just because things aren’t going according to plan does not mean you’re failing. Maybe you’re just taking the scenic route.
Not having a plan used to make me feel anxious and scared of the future, but at this point in my life I’ve learned that the absence of a plan doesn’t mean you’re not going anywhere. At the risk of sounding like a happy-go-lucky hippie, it just means you are open to whatever the universe brings your way, whether that be a high paying power career or a volunteer opportunity that opens your eyes and changes your life. There are such amazing opportunities in store for all of us, and we can’t possibly claim to know how they will all play out. Now I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds incredibly exciting.
Like I said earlier, I had an answer to the question of where I will be in five years. It’s not relevant to class discussion of careers and child abuse reporting, but I had an answer. In five years I know that I will be happy, and that is enough of a plan for me.
