As a student and young adult, I am constantly asked the question "What is your plan for the future?". It began in high school, mostly from family and friends. Now, in my junior year of college, I'm asked by advisors, professors, and even employers. I've come to learn that people will always ask this question.
The answer? I don't have one.
Yes, planning ahead is a good thing as it helps you stay organized and in control of your life. Like most people my age, I don't know what I would do without my planner. And it's nice to have that security of knowing what the end goal is. But while this is great and all, it's not what life is about.
Sure, like anyone I have goals. I want to travel the world. I want to find a career I love. I want to be comfortable with money. I want to be able to give back to my parents, or anyone that has helped me in my life. I want to find the love of my life. I want to be a mom. I want to be remembered. But most importantly, I want to be happy.
Sometimes, we become a little too worried about making sure everything goes how it is supposed to. And when things don't go according to our plan, we get really upset or even a little pissed off. I'll admit it, I can be a hot head, and when things don't go my way I get very mad.
But then I have to step back and think one little thing: Que Sera, Sera. What will be, will be.
If you would have told be five years ago that I would be where I am today, I wouldn't have believed you. I wanted to go to a huge big ten school, meet loads of people, and study something in theatre or television. I would have never guessed that I'd be a junior PR student at a smaller school, with a minor in social media marketing of all things. But still, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. The reason why I am here, is because things didn't go according to plan.
Since then I've learned that the best things in life aren't the planned events. It's the late night talks with your roommate over the calories that you really shouldn't be eating. It's the pride you get when you still do well on the quiz that you forgot you had. It's the look on your parent's faces when you decide last minute to go home for a weekend to surprise them.
If you have a set plan, then good for you. As a free spirit who has never had a plan last for long, I really admire that. Just remember that it's okay if things don't go the way that they're supposed to. And honestly, most things won't.
If you don't have a plan? Good for you too. Remember that this is 100% okay.
We can't predict the future. And life will throw many curveballs your way. While it's good to have goals, the best thing is simply to live life day by day. Why be stressed over things you can't control? I promise, no matter what, everything will be okay in the end. Things will work out the way that they're supposed to.
So for now, just dance in the rain. Stay up late. Go on a last minute road trip. Spend an entire day in bed. Work hard. Play Harder. Live in the moment. Do whatever makes you happy. Life is too short to have everything planned out. So just enjoy it while it lasts.
