If there is anything that I have learned entering the world of "adulting" that has been reassuring, it's that it's perfectly okay to be lost in life. We're often so rushed into college and figuring what we are going to be doing with our lives when we haven't even figured out who we actually are. The best place to start is looking for a path to create for yourself, specifically one untraveled.
After high school, I among the majority of my class went to college. My freshman year was a lot of fun. It was definitely an experience everyone should be apart of- you grow and learn so much. But I didn't feel right with my career path I had chosen to follow. I felt art was more of a hobby of mine, rather than something I wanted to make a career out of, let alone rack up thousands of dollars worth of student debt on. So after freshman year I decided to move back home, get my own apartment, and get a job until I can figure out who I am and what it is I truly want to do in life.
I thought I had known who I was in high school, but the truth is I had no idea who I was until I saw the world for what it is.The world is a truly difficult, yet beautiful place. You are sheltered from quite a bit in high school it's nearly impossible to predict what you want to do with your life, what mark you want to leave on the world. So since I moved home, I have been taking in every bit of the world I touch and painting this canvas that will one day be a finished piece titled "Me".
Whether college is your route to discovering who you are, traveling the world right out of high school, dropping out until you know who you are, or not even going to college- whatever your path is just keep you in mind. For me personally, taking my own route to figuring out my future has been extremely beneficial for me. It's given me the space I need to figure out who I am (a journey still in progress I might add), it's given me the ability to learn to support myself, explore things on my own time, and just live. I've figured out that helping people is my passion, and I am taking opportunities that allow me to explore just that. I still don't know what I am doing but I am moving forward each moment I explore.
So for those of you who feel completely lost right now, the most important thing to keep in mind is that whether you know what you're doing in life or not- moving forward is key. Being lost is a lot of fun because you can never lose, and your opportunities are endless. Taking steps forward and searching for opportunities for growth will help boost your happiness and keep your eyes open to anything, and eventually lead you to what you are meant to do in the world. Until then, hang tight and enjoy the ride and it's many sights!