Author: Prince Diana
As young people we (by definition) have a lot of time left to live. Whether we’re still in school, a recent graduate, or somewhere in between, we certainly have a long time and a lot of uncertainty to come along with that. Thinking about our future can be really overwhelming, so here are some things to keep in mind.
1. It’s OK to be uncertain
It can feel pretty weird when we aren’t even close to knowing the answer to that big question – “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It often makes us feel like we should be more prepared, as though we should have a plan ready. While it is valuable to plan, keep in mind that it’s also OK to be unsure. You should never feel like you’re failing just because you’re not sure where you want to go.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others
The pressure gets even more intense when we see that our friends have these big detailed plans and know exactly what they want to do. Remember that all of us have different and unique lives, and we don’t have to all take the same path. It’s not bad that your friends might have really extensive plans, and it’s also not bad that you don’t!
3. Don’t be afraid to change your plans
I love planning. I’m the kind of person that always wants to know exactly what I’m going to do and when. However, the danger of doing that means that I’m often less willing to change those plans even when it makes sense to do so. Remember that while it’s good to have a plan for your future, if something comes along to change that plan (including just realizing you don’t like it!) always be willing to change.
Thinking about your future can be super scary. However, it can also be really exciting! When you think about it, it’s really cool that our lives could take a million different paths, and the only way to find out where we’ll go is to wait and see.
