Hi there,

It seems like more than ever before you are finding yourself feeling confused, frustrated and discouraged. As if that weren't enough, you end up feeling like you're standing alone on an island that is designated to "those without life figured out," or something like that. Please remember that you are not alone. In fact, there are tons of other people out there in the same boat, myself included. We may not necessarily notice our company on this seemingly unheard of island because from such a standpoint, it seems as if everyone else has their lives figured out. It is quite intimidating; however, please know that even on your worst day you are continuing to take the necessary steps toward figuring everything out, I promise.

The best lessons learned in life are so often the result of challenging times, such as struggling to find your place in the world or making a mistake that can't be fixed. Personally speaking, I have big dreams to find a job I love that involves helping as many people as I possibly can. I want to find my talent and then give it away. I am not entirely sure what that specific job looks like at the moment, which is frustrating as I am entering my senior year of college, but even when I finally have a career in mind I fear I won't be good enough. Instead of looking at what I have going for me I am focusing on what I do not have going for me. Often times I catch myself thinking, "I have volunteered, but I haven't volunteered enough. I am involved, but I am not involved enough. I have good grades, but they aren't good enough," and these thoughts are toxic. If our thoughts are similar to one another then let's promise each other this: we will always look for the positive, even if it means searching a little harder.

Let's also promise each other to test new waters, it might spark something new inside. All of the sudden our seemingly small island will take on a whole new shape and we will find ourselves happier than ever previously imaginable. For example, even if you know what you want, that seemingly perfect job you apply for might be offered to someone else. It would seem like the world has come to an end but that is the time to take a step back and remind yourself that everything is okay. Despite any self doubt, confusion, and frustration during such a time, have faith that everything happens for a reason. Believe that an even better job will cross your path and help bring sense to everything else.

It may help to click on the link below. It is a CV of failures and shows that even the successful people in our world haven't gotten to where they are without their own set of troubles. One of my two older sisters shared this with me "for a laugh and support" because she is also on the same island--not knowing what she wants and never feeling like what she does is enough.

https://www.princeton.edu/~joha/Johannes_Haushofer_CV_of_Failures.pdf

With all of that said, the biggest thing I want you to take away is this: you are a valuable person with a place in this world and you may arrive at your place a little later than you hoped or planned, but it is all for a good reason so push yourself to remember that on your hard days.

Sincerely,

A friend on the same island

Sometimes things have to go very wrong before they can be right.