If You’re Unhappy, You Have The Power To Change Your Life

I’ll begin with a disclaimer that I do not have all the answers. I probably don’t even have half of the answers. But I will say that I have about twenty-one years of trial and error, and I must say that my successes have come from decisions made impulsively and executed through careful planning.

This is something I have resisted for most of my life, because I’ve been lead to believe that life is a checklist. Go to school, do well in school, get a job, get married, have kids – you know the deal.

There are all of those success stories out there about people that have failed and eventually found success. That’s great, but that’s only helpful in hindsight. What about all of us who are still climbing? Also, is there going to be a moment when we finally reach the top of our metaphoric mountain and think, “Yes, I’m done. I’ve conquered life?” I certainty don’t think so. But what do I know, I’m only twenty-one.

However, my authority comes in the fact that I’m smack dab in the middle of my adult puberty. I’ve come a long way and still have a long way to go. So what I have learned so far is that my major life decisions – where I decided to go to school, where I decided to live, and when I decided to leave – have come from an initial thought of, “I am not happy where I am right now. How do I change this?”

It has become so important to remember that I am not stuck anywhere. You are not stuck anywhere. Don’t get me wrong. Plans are important, but your own well-being is even more important!

This is not a revolutionary thought. We’re all aware of it on some level. And who am I to say what works for me will work for you? I’m not. But I’m a big believer in the idea that “experience is a teacher.”

So this is for you. Yet another cliché piece of advice to make plans, but to forgive yourself if they don’t follow through. It’s also important to remember, especially in college, that there are a lot of people that claim to know everything. They don’t. If they did, there wouldn’t be so many problems in this world. So be your own solution.