I'm 22 and at the point in my life where I have so many choices to make, paths to take and they will all affect my life so differently - do you have any advice or any experience you could share with me?
203618
You never really know if you are making the right decision-just use ur common sense and follow ur heart and always be honest with urself-there will be times where life will throw a curve ball and believe me they can come out of no where but just believe in urself...
267619
I'd rather look for counseling in my cat, in an encyclopedia or even in a bottle of vodka before I trust my life decisions to a person I only know through the internet, and that I can see has poor spelling and a misconception of the importance of "relationship experience" to determine life-altering decisions.\n\nAlso, you might want to deflate your ego a bit. You might choke with all that arrogance.\nWe are all here to ask and answer questions. If you really want to help people, just answer the questions, or even better, devote yourself to really helping people by joining a charity or a similar project, but don't come here to rub how great (you think) you are in our faces. That will only get you negative and agressive responses. (such as mine)
393933
my husband did this .... \n\n\nmaybe you need to see a therapist so you keep your wits about you.  Therapy will help you figure out what direction you want your life going into.
64926
Yes, I was obsessing awhile back about a decision I made years ago, thinking I should have gone with the other choice, wondering what my life would be like, etc.  It was depressing me and I had to force myself to stop thinking about it and accept the way things are.
200865
Sometimes it is hard to make the choices that we want with out sacrificing a lot. And on your part, you have to let go in order to achieve those dreams. \n\nHappiness can only be achieved by doing what your heart dictates you. But I must tell you, there are consenquences. \n\nI will not be bias. So the only way I can help you is by letting you see the two sides of the coin. YOU decide. And your decision is one step in making changning your future. or even achieving total happiness and contentment.\n\nIF YOU STAYED AND FINISHED WHAT YOU'VE STARTED...\nthen you might find out sooner or later that this is one way or should I say ANOTHER way in finding happiness. Maybe you haven't yet realized that behind your job lies a dream you haven't yet realized. Or the happiness you haven't yet found because you were so busy soul searching or finding more faults with your decision. Why not learn to accept and be contented? Not everybody has the luxury to have a job. And staying will give you more security in the future. And the risk of being unsuccessful is minimal.\n\nBut\n\nIF YOU FOLLOWED YOUR HEART AND GO\nYou might find what you are truly good at. Maybe that is the answer to all your dilemma. Remember that the BIGGEST RISK IS BY NOT TAKING ONE. We cannot assure ourselves that once we followed what our heart dictates we can became happy because we'll never know unless we are already in that situation. But the joy of know we tried is immense. Atleast you tried. Many people are afraid to go out of their shell in fear of the world outside their cocoon but you cannot see the beauty of the world, even the pain, unless you go out and seek it. Even if it means letting go of you haven.\n\nDo what makes you happy. But Sometimes we also have to think of what we feel.
636305
I would suggest reading the book "What Color is Your Parachute?" for starters. Many times you won't know what you should do until you try it - and at 46, I'm just starting on the career I think I was 'meant' to do. HOwever, the experiences I've had leading up to this point were crucial to making me the person I needed to be to do this job. Nothing is a waste. You can be a lifelong learner, and always add something valuable to your life. Begin by volunteering in different areas of interest!
526919
Yes, my past comes and bites me in the ass all the time...some days I wish I could have a "do over"..so I could make better choices...I know youre not feeling sorry for yourself, it's just so frustrating sometimes...like you want to scream"I'm Sorry, I'm trying my best, I'm not the same person !" Hang in there and keep making good choices and doing the right thing now...
388128
What does he like to do?  Remember... he doesn't have to pick a career now for the rest of his life.  I've chosen several different careers in my life since college (I'm now 45).  As we change, our interests and desires change.  Give him time.
565134
Choose your own future. Do what YOU want to do, and don't worry about what others expect you to do. This is YOUR life not theirs.
496035
Steph.\ngreat q!\nYou are right, both do apply at age 20! BALANCE is the key.\nFocus on your goals, do the hard job to get to the career, education and act mature while on that path. \n\nThis is the time of trial and error, that difficulty or frustration is totally normal.  Maturity is not easy, so take it one day and situation at a time. With maturity comes self respect and self confidence on a whole new level. \n\nThe very best way is organization, Get a day-timer and plan out the activities of life. EVERY one of them. That personal structure will help you enjoy the "free time" more and keep you directed and on course for all other items.\n\nSchedule your time-well!  So you can have fun!\nBeing responsible at any age is the key.\n\nI worked really hard and played just as hard.  I would take cheap vacations all over the USA and Mexico with all that saved (hard earned cash). I seldom wasted it on booze or parties.  I went to midday movies with girlfriends and pot luck dinners at my apartment. I did date- only on the weekends.  I made it real clear to the world that I was all about ACTION. \n\n I did take Sunday off from everything. I did nothing but church that day, since I was used to waking up early, I went at 7am and was home back in bed by 9:30 am. I must say, I wish I had the same energy now as I did at 20.  The obligations and commitments that I made on a personal level only made me better. No one knew when I left the bar and went home to shower that I was going to church, after partying all night. It was for ME!\n\nInvest in yourself. You are worth every minute of the day.
441777
Listen to their advice & opinions, but ultimately--the decision is yours to make.  Whatever your decision is though, know that you could be in for a world of hurt, or you might have found the love of a lifetime. Only time will tell, and only you can decide that.  Give it some time & see where it goes.\n\nGood luck!
422329
LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT.\nIT IS NOT TOO LATE TO CHANGE, YOU JUST HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM.
48696
I am extremely indecisive. I do exactly what Winston said... Pull the Trigger. Like in a restaurant, I say to myself, "I'll just order this dish. Even if it is not good, at least I will know what not to order next time".\nI just think that everyone makes bad judgements, let me make one too. \n\nAlthough when it comes to more serious things, it will be wise to take someone's help. Like you want to decide on a career... so talk to your counsellor, your friends. You could also talk to different people who chose the paths you are thinking about, and ask them how they fared.\nGod Bless You.
200817
Today is all you have (the short answer). I am still embroiled in the quotidian struggles of worrying over finance etc. But keep in mind that most of us are, and that you may take at least some small comfort in the knowledge that others are commiserating with you (the stoic option). Instead of focusing on what you do not have, place priority on what you do have (youth, a husband, job, etc). Small pleasures are to be seized when they emerge, so do not sully your enjoyment of them by focusing on a future that is still somewhat uncertain.
380633
You can be thirty and a doctor, or thirty and not a doctor.  If you're lucky, you will eventually be thirty anyway, and you might as well have achieved a dream like becoming the physician you want to be by that time.  And lots of physicians have children, so one doesn't rule out the possibility of the other.  Life will be stressful, but stress isn't always a bad thing.  In fact, the stress of achieving is often less than the stress of not being in control of your own life, so you can be stressed and happy too.  I'm assuming that you are still young, and if I were you, I would go for it.  You can always change your mind later on if you realize this is not really the life you wanted for yourself, but don't sell yourself short by giving up now.
458790
Wow! that's quite a story I think you need to meditate and find out\nin your heart what the best path is
51857
Ask advice from those who are around your same age, same goals, dreams, etc.  Take awhile and find out if its what "YOU" really want to do, and can you do your best at it and be  successful at it in the future?