This is a question I ask myself time and time again. I look at my parents as an example and when they were my age they had a house, two kids, we traveled, and went out often whether it was the movies or restaurants. Granted times are much different today with such a rough economy, but it still makes me stop and ask myself if I could be doing something different to better my circumstances.
I've talked to many close friends and relatives about this concern of mine and it seems I'm not the only person who feels this way. It's common for a person to feel they're behind, but when do we start to feel like we're ahead?
My sister is a great example of an individual who I consider to be ahead. Before she turned 21 she purchased her first car on her own without any co-signers, she became the youngest supervisor at a big theater franchise, and purchased her first home. All of this before turning 21 and while in college. My not-so-baby sister is now an adult who is extremely mature and responsible. Although I am the older sister, I do look up to her and proud of the woman she has become.
Then you have those who are in their mid twenties and have yet to have a real career. Living at home with their parents, don't know what it's like to be responsible for rent, utility bills, household products, etc. These individuals are who I consider late bloomers. It may not always be their fault that they haven't ventured to independence, but from what I have witnessed it does seem to hinder their potential to be independent and their ability to make certain big decisions. The biggest setback with this group is that they worry too much. They ask themselves the "what ifs" and imagine everything that can go wrong will go wrong. However, the flaw to this mentality is that if you always wonder what may go wrong, you'll never know whether it can go right. My thought process has always been "you'll never know until you try it." It has not always worked in my favor, but had I not taken a leap of faith I would have never known that I could make it on my own, support myself, and be independent from my parents.
Then there is me. Working since I was 16, began my first career in media at 20 who now working in the insurance/risk management industry, living in an apartment with my boyfriend, and recently made a 900+ mile move away from home. I make more money than I have ever made in my life, but I can't help but feel there is still something missing. My family is the obvious thing, but I feel I haven't fulfilled my purpose in life. I'm about to turn 26 and yet I am not yet married, don't have children, haven't purchased a home, and in my opinion still haven't found my professional calling.
I've tried different industries since starting my first job in 2005. I've worked in retail, financial/baking, media, freight transportation, brokerage, childcare, and now safety/quality insurance management. There have been different aspects of each position I've held that I liked, but ultimately it wasn't enough to keep me focused and challenged. So now I'm at a crossroads where I feel I'm not getting any younger and want to have a stable career in order to save for retirement.
I am no longer interested in working in the field I received my degree in and yet I don't know what career path to take with my interests/passions. I have a passion for baking, event planning, and assisting; however, I want to work for myself in the long run. Granted it's a lot of work I'd have to put in, but the reward will most definitely be worth it.
So many people I know have gone through the same dilemma and I would definitely encourage anyone who isn't 100% happy with what they are doing to dig deep and found out what your passion is in order to go after it. You are definitely not alone if you're feeling this way, I hope you know that.
If you feel the need to search for a job you feel may fulfill your needs better, then do it. If you want to try something out because you think you'd be great at it, do it. It won't always work in your favor, but at least you tried it.
I'll be honest when I first decided to become a nanny I thought it'd be easy and I'd ask myself, how hard can it be compared to corporate America? Also, I had spent so much time with my Godson since the day he was born and I knew I had done well based on feedback I received, so in my mind I thought I'd be a perfect nanny. Boy was I mistaken! Not only did I have to deal with children who were raised with parents who had a different idea of what discipline meant than mine, but having to deal with the parents and their different parenting techniques that opposed the other was tough and many times awkward. It was difficult and it turns out I am not as nurturing as I thought I was. Anyone who knows me is aware of my lack of desire for children at this moment in my life, so you can imagine how I was as a nanny. Plus, being raised by strict parents didn't help when assisting in raising 3 girls whose parents thought my techniques were too strict. Needless to say, I didn't last not even 6 months as a nanny, but hey at least I tried it.
It is nothing to be ashamed of and society today wants to make it seem that it is, but as long as you're happy and fulfilling your passions that is all that matters in the end. No one else pays your bills, no one else worries about putting food on your table, only you have a say in the decisions you make. Unless of course you're living under mom and dad's roof then I'd say put it in third gear and get out there! :) You just might find what you feel your purpose in life is and you'll never feel like you have to "work" a day in your life.
You'll never know until you try.
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The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; your loving kindness, O Lord, is everlasting. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
