Dear Ask Lynn,
Graduation is coming up fast, and I feel completely lost. Everyone around me seems to have a clear plan—college, jobs, or some big dream they’re chasing. Meanwhile, I’m stuck trying to figure out what I even want. Some days I think I should take a gap year, other days I panic that I’ll fall behind if I don’t jump into something right away.
I feel this pressure to “figure it all out” before time runs out, but I don’t feel ready. There are so many paths, and none of them feel completely right. I’m scared of choosing the wrong thing, but also scared of doing nothing and watching everyone else move on without me. The fear of falling behind is real.
What can I do to start figuring out what direction to go? How do I stop comparing myself to others and find my own path? I want to feel excited about the future, but right now it just feels overwhelming.
– Lost in the Crowd
Dear Lost in the Crowd,
First of all, take a deep breath. You’re not falling behind—you’re figuring things out, and that’s actually a brave thing to do. Despite what it may feel like, so many people are in the same boat. They might look like they’ve got it all together, but behind the scenes, they’re just as uncertain and nervous as you are. Life isn’t a race, and there’s no one “right” path to follow.
It’s okay not to have a five-year plan. The important thing right now is to get curious about yourself. What excites you? What makes you feel alive, even just a little? Explore different interests, volunteer, take a class, travel if you can, or try a part-time job in something you’re mildly curious about. Sometimes the right path doesn’t show up until you take the first step, even if it’s a small one.
You don’t have to rush. Let yourself try, fail, grow, and change. It’s all part of the process. Be kind to yourself and trust that not knowing everything right now is perfectly okay. You are not lost—you’re just beginning your journey, and that’s a powerful place to be.
– Ask Lynn
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