You don't have to have it all figured out by 30 (or really by any age, because life is a constant journey). During our 20-something years, there can be a tremendous amount of pressure to figure everything out. We search for answers to important questions like "What do I want?" and "What do I want to do with my life?"
I was on track to answering those questions in my 20's. I had a prestigious career, a man I loved who proposed, money, fancy clothes and so on. When I lost it all at 27, I judged myself as a huge failure. I went from having everything to believing something was wrong with me.
But nothing was wrong with me. And nothing is wrong with you, either, if you feel like you failed at something or like a failure because you haven't done enough. You're simply going through a normal rite of passage that you may even call your "quarterlife crisis." So, if you feel confused, like nothing is really "right," but nothing feels "wrong," either, don't worry, you're NORMAL.
This time of our life when we are supposed to be "having the time of our life" can be overwhelming and downright scary at times. It can also be a time of great discovery, freedom and exhilaration if you are willing to remove expectations from others, society and yourself to figure everything out on a certain timeline or according to a certain checklist.
Now I'm saying you don't have to figure out everything but you do have to do something. Your life purpose is not going to just hit you like a lighting bolt while you're sitting in Starbucks surfing Facebook. If you want to live a life of meaning and make a meaningful impact, it's time to redefine your version of "everything."
I spent the past month interviewing over 30 thought leaders and experts who are in their twenties and thirties as part of a free resource called the Quarterlife Upgrade. One of the questions I asked each one was "What do you wish you knew then that you know now?" Below I share some of the themes that emerged from the interviews to reassure you, inspire you and remind you that you are not alone:
- You will fail. Allow yourself to make mistakes. You will learn so much valuable insight and information from failure so stop playing it so safe. Not risking is risky.
I hope this advice helps you relax in the knowing you don't have to figure everything out and also ignites your sense of exploration, initiative and dedication to do something. In order to create a life of meaning, you have to live it! And if you want to even more free advice, you are invited to join me for The Quarterlife Upgrade.