When I was young, I envisioned my 20-year-old self as a successful woman pursuing her future goals with ferocious intensity. Today, I find myself sitting under a blanket, watching The Bachelorette and downing granola, knowing absolutely nothing about what I want the rest of my life to look like. Am I terrified? Absolutely! But, I’m also excited. Here are some reasons why you should be excited about your unknown future as well:
- Certainty is Just an Illusion
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Growing up we had this false conception of a stable and linear path in life. If we go to school, graduate, get a job and work to our best ability, our life will be just fine and we will have nothing to worry about. But, here is the truth: nothing in life is certain. Changes are inevitable. Health issues shake up life; natural disasters cause housing displacements. Businesses are closed and people are fired seemingly out of nowhere. Most importantly, tomorrow is never a promise. This false notion of certainty in your future endeavors simply does not exist. If you don’t believe me, look at your past and tell me everything that happened is exactly what you planned and hoped for. You can’t, can you?
- The World is Your Playground
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Now that we cleared up that striving for certainty is pointless, let’s talk about the excitement behind the uncertainty. When you don’t have a set plan, the world is your oyster! Instead of being tied down to one possible future, you have the ability to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. What is it that you really want to contribute to the world? How do you want to leave your mark? The beauty in the plethora of options available to you is so exciting. Literally anything is possible! How liberating is that?
- You Will Never Be Disappointed If Something Does Not Go Your Way
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One benefit of not having a plan for your future is that you will always be pleasantly surprised with the opportunities that do come your way. You will be more flexible and better equipped for when mishaps happen or your life just doesn’t go your way. Honestly, having no expectations for what will come in your future might actually be a blessing. You will literally never be disappointed because you are actively carving your path. The only way to go is up.
- You Will Become a Much More Well-Rounded Person
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By trying new paths, learning new things and carving out a path for yourself, you will learn so many things from so many different fields along the way. When someone has a planned future, they almost have tunnel vision as they go through their journey to their known destination. They learn only what they need to learn and throw everything else aside. However, by not knowing your future and by trying different paths, you are learning so much that you can apply to your future career, and you will become a more well-rounded employee that is able to see different perspectives of an issue.
It is frightening to be almost wandering aimlessly through life, without a set goal, but it doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Take that fear and let it fuel your curiosity. Let that fear ignite an excitement and a passion to explore within your heart. Your journey is your own; do not look at others who are on separate paths. It is okay to be confused; it is okay to be unsure. You are not alone and your journey is completely valid. You will find your purpose and your passion. Your path might just be a little more windy, so enjoy the ride!