I Have No Idea What To Do With My Life – How Can I Deal With This?

As children, we always come up with a bundle of ideas of what we want to become when growing up. As we get older, these childish dreams seem to be silly and impractical. Gradually, we lose interest. What others say and your parents’ expectations now are a heavy burden. At the age of 23 or such, you get stuck with the thought ‘I have no idea what to do with my life’. Don’t panic. You have plenty of time to get everything right. 

Why Sometimes You Feel Like You Don’t Know What To Do With Your Life

Possibly, you have not found your true calling. Lack of passion, motivation, and ambition can also account for your vague future. Sometimes you cannot help but wonder, ‘Why does my life so suck’ and get no clue what to do with it then.

Being confused about a future career is a normal thing. You should realize that you are not alone. Many people out there share the same sentiment. They find it hopeless and useless to sort out the biggest problem of their life: what does it mean to grow up? However, most of them are afraid to admit and resolve it. 

For most people, they choose to ignore their situation. They can do different jobs which do sound good at first. A pretty attractive salary, plenty of good opportunities, have nothing short of excitement. They can also highlight some prestigious firms that make their CVs more appreciated. However, boredom comes when they find out that these jobs do not exactly define themselves.

With that saying, these jobs do not reflect who you are. Thus, when asked about the current job, those who think ‘I have no idea what to do with my life’ seem to have the same answer. For example, ‘Uhm… It is okay’. In fact, it is not totally okay. Yet, the question remains about whether any solution is worthwhile. 

If you are here, your usual faithful friend Jobandedu will help you go through this hard time. Compared to those in denial of their situation, you are already ahead of the curve. You are now aware of the question in your life and looking for career advice to make positive changes. Good for you!

What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do 

I used to think I did not have any particular talents. Peer pressure comes at the darkest time of my life. After graduation, I rushed to find a job, but then I wondered, ‘what the heck am I doing?’. It was not really what I wanted, and I looked for solutions. 

What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do
Sometimes you have no idea what to do with your life – Source: Unsplash

My beloved readers, I will not tell you what you should do for your future career. I will help you work it out. The answer does come from you. Just carry on with your career exploration.

#1 Live Your Life

First of all, you should know that no one can tell you what to do when you get stuck with the thought ‘I have no idea what to do with my life’. 

In general, we tend to ask others for advice on our problems. They can be family, friends, or those we trust with all our hearts. But don’t forget that they are not in your shoes. Each person has a different point of view and experience. None of them know what makes you excited and motivated. Thus, if you assume that these pieces of advice can help you light up your future career, keep your cool. Or else, you can be much more confused.

#1 Live Your Life
Make your own decisions – Source: Unsplash

The first thing you should learn is that no one can help you make up your mind. Just go live your life. You cannot tell what you like without real experiences. 

#2 Define Career Inspiration

Deep inside you, you do know what makes you content and happy doing. Find your passion and follow it. If you do what you love, you will never have to work in your life. I am not sure if this is a quote, but it is true for me. True happiness is when you enjoy what you do and get paid for it. You need to start looking inward to find answers to the following questions: what you want to be, what you want to do, what you want to have, etc., before looking outward for career opportunities. 

#2 Define Career Inspiration
Define who you are and what you want – Source: Unsplash

If you are still in the dark about your passion, think positively. You know, Maya Angelou once said: ”All great achievements require time.” Just be patient. You are where you are, and that is okay.

You can try stuff to explore what you are good at. As for me, after having tried different jobs for several years, I am now happy working with kids and helping others. I enjoy teaching immensely, and now I have found my career path as a teacher.

#3 Evaluate Different Options

There are plenty of different career opportunities out there. However, don’t forget that opportunities come with different challenges. Of course, you would fail, not only once but a hundred times, but you will learn something each time. So, don’t rush to give it up. It would be best if you saw these difficulties and opportunities as gifts. Create your options and picture what your future could look like. Then, choose the one you find best suits you and how to get there. 

#3 Evaluate Different Options
Determine what job you want and how you get there – Source: Unsplash

You need to determine your long-term goals and plan short-term goals in between. In other words, developing a detailed plan for each stage of your journey is better. According to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, his quote about success goes like this: “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” 

#4 Let’s Do It

When you find out that you have gained enough required competence and experience, apply for your dream job. It is the last step toward your future career. Whether you are a graduate, recently been made redundant, or just retired, you can do anything if you want to. 

#4 Let’s Do It
Take positive steps to your career – Source: Unsplash

As far as you are concerned, Harry Potter, authored by J.K.Rowling, was rejected 12 times. Sometimes things do not go as expected, but you need to succeed only once. Then, you will be proud of your failures, too. 

The Bottom Line

The feeling of ‘I have no idea what to do with my life‘ is normal because you do not understand yourself enough. You have no clues about what you are searching for, what makes you excited, what you are good at, or bad at, etc. No one says these questions are easy, and your answers are actually vague. 

As for some people, they tend to rush to job sites and apply without consideration. At some points, they will realize that they are wasting a lot of time letting these jobs decide who they are. So, rather than still be unsure why nothing you do grab you, why don’t you look at yourself first? An in-depth look at your true self will give you the golden key to your success.

Get yourself the answers and go for them. I think this quote will be the best gift for you.

“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” (Vincent van Gogh).

Paris Laurent

Paris Laurent is aware of "word's power" and has a strong urge to inspire all people with the best works as per her findings and stories she's heard of. She's ever plunged into the world of the interstellar ship Argos. The Doerr’s dazzling imagination transports her to worlds so immersive and dramatic, for a time, her own. And she did show up the far-out materials for buddies and any guys out there with much standing ovation. Yet, it's not all about her good reads! Other topics of hers, indeed, are worth reading as they encapsulate a wide range of aspects, not just classic pieces. With her agility and unique taste, she will blow your mind at all.