Read This If Your 20s Feel Like They Have No Direction

Like almost every millennial in 2017— I have no clue what I want to do with the rest of my life. Actually, I have an idea of what I want to do professionally speaking, which I suppose gives me a leg up— but I don’t know in the slightest where I want my life to start settling down.

Do I want to move to California, like I’ve been dreaming of doing for my entire life? Do I want to move abroad— fingers and toes and everything else crossed in hope that it works out? Do I really want to leave nearly everything behind and just go for it?

Do I want to leave my friends and family behind, so that I can live the life I’m dreaming of? Even temporarily?

The thought of your support system not being there when you need them is more than just a little bit frightening.

It’s terrifying.

The thought of missed opportunities and connections is just as scary. What if you had one opportunity to be with the love of your life, but you couldn’t take it because you were half-way across the globe?

No matter what, the decision to move away, or even to travel for a longer period of time, is a risky one. However, living a life filled with any amount of regret is even riskier. Living without passion is worse.

Sure, there are intelligent, slightly round-about ways of getting where you want to be— but most of the time, they’re unnecessary.

Most of the time, we don’t follow our dreams— or we put off following them for an indeterminate amount of time— because we’re paralyzed by the worst-case scenario if it doesn’t work out. So, we do everything we can to make sure the worst-case scenario is lessened. We spend years working to earn enough to support ourselves, but typically create more issues along the way.

We procrastinate, and we redefine what we thought was important.

We focus on the fear, instead of focusing on what is actually in front of us, which is silly— but understandable.

Fear is illogical.

I’m afraid of cockroaches to the point where I will scream if I see one— but will they hurt me? Probably not.

I’m afraid of falling down, but will the crash hurt me? Probably not much. And if anything: I’ll heal.

Will I miss out on the love of my life by traveling the world? No idea. There’s no possible way for me to know that for sure.

Fear comes down to one simple thing: Living in the ‘what ifs’ instead of living in the present and recognizing ‘what is’.

What is actually happening? What do you want out of life? What do you need to start your journey— whatever that journey is for you? What are you afraid of and—to quote a friend— is it real?

What is actually stopping you from living your life the way you want?

Focus on the present, and the rest will take care of itself as you go. Usually, the best and most rewarding decisions in life are also the most terrifying.

You’re not going to let yourself fail.