Comments on: where is the instruction manual?

By: Travis

Travis — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:44:31 +0000

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

Well that’s a relief!

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 02:18:27 +0000

Just added your new blog to my reader. One of the most important things I learned in my 20s is that my mom and I get along much better when we don’t live under the same roof.

By: EmmaElizabeth

EmmaElizabeth — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:12:35 +0000

Amen to that! I was one of those people who had it all figured out for the most part. The plan was to go to college straight out of HS, graduate in 4 years and yadda yadda- have it all by 22/23. HA! I took 4.5 years in college, graduated with not a clue what to do, spent 8months not really doing anything- applying to jobs here and there. Now? I have a job at a world reknowned hospital and am I any happier? No. But I have a “career” I and it’s not something I hate. It’s definately a stepping stone for better things in the future. But I agree- you don’t have to have it all figured out. Life is proving it’s better not to have it all figured out, like you said.

But my best thing learned- enjoy every single moment because as you get older you don’t get those moments as often.

By: Smilf

Smilf — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:37:24 +0000

I am 27 and still don’t have it all figured out. I wake up every day like, “WTF am I going to do with my life?” Granted, I have a great marriage, but as far as what I want to DO?? I haven’t a freaking clue. My friends all just KNEW. What is that all about?! Must be nice. : )
Love the new blog! I’m adding it to my faves!

By: MissB

MissB — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:04:06 +0000

As a matter of fact, I don’t have it all figured out and don’t think I will for a while. Thanks for letting me know that’s okay and that I’m not crazy for not following the “right” path and that I’m not the only one!

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:36:00 +0000

Wow, its so nice to realize basically everyone feels this way…or should we be scared that we all feel this way? What’s wrong with our society that we often feel pressured to “have it all figured out” and then have to resort to blogs to communicate to the rest us that “hey! don’t worry, none of us have it figured out!”

Great post, right on, just what I was thinking.

By: e.

e. — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:57:34 +0000

I graduated with a B.A. in 5 years (yes, I had two senior years…) and now I’m taking some time off while trying to figure out what I really want to do. I always think of Reality Bites when discussing this type of thing because really, the only thing you have to be by age 24 is yourself.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:18:29 +0000

It’s taken a few years for me to acknowledge and accept that everyone makes her (or his) own path and that it’s okay that we’re not all headed in the same direction or taking the same trail. Some of us like the scenic route; some like the freeway; and still, some don’t mind off-roading or driving a forklift over volcanoes. And there are those who don’t aren’t so much looking ahead as just meandering along, kicking rocks and crunching on leaves, whistling a tune, enjoying the moment for what it is. That’s where I am now, and I’ve finally found a group of friends who encourage me to do more but are okay with me just wandering. I’ve finally gotten my parents to realize that it’s okay that I walked away from a budding career and now just want to explore my options. It’s the journey, the experiences, the laughs, and the tears we pick up along the way that will carry us through to our thirties… at which time we’ll look back and wonder why we were so stressed about such a great time in our lives.

By: lil miss hissyfit

lil miss hissyfit — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 06:55:56 +0000

Keep the boyfriend but pass the wine please?

I didn’t have a damned clue what i wanted to do when I got out of highschool, I spent those four years thinking about the endless possibilities and never really narrowed it down.

At 21 I still don’t know what career I’m meant to end up in and I’m glad I opted not to attend a college or University until I was certain the degree I’d get would be worthwhile.

I can sort of sympathize with the whole you’re in school while your friends are off having careers. thought it was more< i was living on my own working and my friends were off in Uni getting degrees. For all that I was happy malign money and proving i could take care of myself I felt a lot of guilt for not following the typical pattern of getting a degree and then searching for work.

I’m four years yet from a numerical quarter life crisis but sometimes I feel like I’m already there. On the bright side I know I’m not the only one living through it.

By: Ivy@PaperElixir

Ivy@PaperElixir — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:53:56 +0000

Hmm, I think “not feeling like you’ve got it figured out” is something every thinking person goes through no matter what path you choose.

I graduated with a doctorate degree at 23 (yep, I’m the typical Asian overachiever), and at 27 (4 years being at a “professional” job), had a major “what now?!” moment (followed by some sort of career change and more of these moments every few years).

So, anyway, I don’t think anyone really has it “all figured out” no matter what appearance suggests. Just my 2 cents as a not-twenty-something-anymore.