Throughout childhood, education plays a huge role in teaching individuals to find what they like as a possible future career path. Being raised by a parent or guardian, it is common to develop a reliability or become comfortable with codependency while exploring yourself academically.

However, that switch to high school and college pushes us out of that comfort zone where everything suddenly becomes intimidating. All of these "adulting" requirements randomly appeared that nobody prepared you for. What are you supposed to do without any guide???

This situation that you were put into isn't just targeting you. This is a common occurrance for adolescents just like you, including myself. Adulthood is inevitable, especially as you get closer and closer to it. You are not alone. You may feel alone in the moment as you, yourself, and you are working together to determine your future. When you think about it at a deeper level, when you're alone and thinking about your future, your mind is free to say whatever it wants at you with no consequences. This is what can set you back, putting yourself down thinking that you don't have a future because you're confused now, in the present.

You're now on your own, not only is this a mental game with yourself, but time has now become a concern. Instead of being brought to locations or appointments with your parents, bringing yourself and making appointments is just a start.

You are officially in control of your actions and future, which in retrospect is nervewracking to think about, but that doesn't mean that you're completely on your own. Asking for help, despite being frowned upon by many thinking it makes them less independent, is actually an extremely important factor of living your life. Humans live to learn, so stepping out of academics to let the days pass by naturally will affect mental and physical health, which we don't want.

Whatever you are interested in learning more about, you can do as much as you can on your own. However, there are always outside sources that could introduce you to something you never expected, resulting in broadening your knowledge!

Now, figuring out your future and finding your passion is one issue, but it is also quite common for adolescents (like me) to assume it needs to be done in a certain time frame.

More than that, seeing friends or mutuals successfully pursuing their passion quickly, it can create a negative image that you aren't doing enough.

This is the beauty of life, where there really is no time limit other than the inevitable one that shall not be mentioned. There are people who choose to go to college after high school and others that choose to go in their 60s. Even though there are plenty of people you will see on the outside like they are well-put-together, everyone has their own concerns even if they could be ahead of the game. Work at your own pace, and most importantly, there is no need to rush.

That being said, talking with people in older generations may cause a clash from the differences between the generations and how they were raised. Even though reassurance may not work on everyone, input from outside individuals can make an impact. As a freshly 21-year-old who had a heavy codependency for my parents until college at 18, the previous three years have been reflective which has helped me feel more comfortable with the professional world, despite still having not much experience. Taking time to reflect your past in preparation for changes in the future is and has been essential to adulthood. Anxiety is common especially in the current generation, which a change or transition of any sort might need guidance or reassurance. That being said, based on my personal experience and reflection, I am completely free to contact about any questions or concerns that you may have for the future. Even though I may not be a professional, it is nice to have someone with a similar perspective by your side.

Please reach out whether that is through social media, LinkedIn, my email, or phone with what questions you have or simply to feel seen. Everyone has a different scenario and deserves to be noticed, which starts with finding what fits you best to push you in the right direction.