Your Life, Your Speed Limit

Something nobody ever tells you as you grow up because we are sucked into this chaotic ‘American dream’ is that it’s okay to TAKE IT SLOW!

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I’ve been having a hard time figuring out my plans for life. And this year, if I followed the path our society created for us, I would have already graduated with my bachelor's degree. I’ve sobbed and panicked many times thinking I’m behind in life as my high school graduation class is filling my feed with college diplomas.

But why?

Everyone’s path and journey is different. Some people have their life planned for them by their parents.

Some people are born with a natural talent that they can easily follow. Some people figure it out after they take all their basic requirements freshman year of college.

And some people have no idea what the heck is going on.

And that’s okay.

Some crazy fellows find their callings at age 30, 40, or even 60. The cool thing about your own journey in life is that you cross paths with others who are searching for new paths. Last semester one of my professors was a professional actor who decided to teach these last several years to spread his knowledge of the industry. And many other people find their true calling's after retirement. Others are simply not meant for school. There are amazing jobs out there that you do not need a college degree for. And that is why the concept of the American Dream makes me so upset. Why do they expect to spend thousands on a piece of paper? Just to realize we might not even use that piece of paper.

That’s the amazing thing about life, it’s not linear.

So here I am, after taking three semesters off because I thought Disney was this crazy end all for me and I would love it here.

Spoiler alert! It wasn’t.

Florida is HOT. Orlando is crowded. People can’t drive (I guess that’s honestly everywhere.)

But nonetheless, I am not as happy here as I thought I was going to be. I miss traveling and actually making a living where I’m happy. So this is truly just a reminder that life is not linear. You will follow twists and turns and that is okay!

Make mistakes, meet new people, try new things. Keep trying I promise you will end up on the right path.

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Now here are 5 tips on attempting to figure out your own path if you are struggling

1. If you are in school, take a class that interests you but may not be your major. Sometimes you need elective hours so it will count! Someone in one of my classes changed their major from nursing to live production because they wanted to take an auto cad class for fun and now they are on the road to becoming an interior designer.

2. Take risks. This is pretty self-explanatory. Weigh your options here if you would like to, but sometimes to find what you are best at you need to leave your comfort zone. Imagine that feeling of satisfaction afterward! Find your best way to deal with the uncertainty. My way to ease with the scaries is reading a book to relax or going a run to ease the mind.

3. Ask those who know you best. Sometimes a parent, sibling, or best friend can see your talents before you can. And those closest to you always seem to have the strongest and brutalist answers for you.

4. Be patient. Finding your path in life is like planting a seed and waiting for it to grow. If you try watering it too much it will die. Do not speed up such a crucial life process. Enjoy the ride!

5. Look at your own talents. Look at yourself. What is something that has always come naturally to you? What is something that brings you joy? Maybe, just maybe, that is the start of your career and life path.

Marc Anthony said it best, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life."

It is your road, you control the speed limit.