As children we can’t wait to grow up. There is so much to look forward to. At 10 we stay by ourselves, at 12 we can babysit, as teenagers we get to go to high school and can get jobs outside the home, at 16 we can get our license, and so on. We are always chasing that next step and we clearly know what those steps are. So, what happens when those steps aren’t so clear?
Once we hit adulthood, the ‘next steps’ we’re supposed to make become increasingly more confusing and difficult to navigate. As adults, we are faced with big, stressful, existential questions such as what are you going to do with your life? What do you want to be? How are you going to make a living? Although there is merit to these questions, we also need to address the fact that as young adults we are still just trying to figure it out. Not having those answers is completely normal and in fact, expected. The opportunities available to us are so much greater once we hit adulthood – it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed, stressed and pressured.
Life transitions can be scary, especially when you’re trying to figure it out on your own. When helping young adults through life transitions we like to help clients’ recognize this experience as process-driven, not goal-oriented. It’s great to have goals, but as cheesy as it sounds, how you spend your time getting there is just as important as the final goal itself.
Along the way of figuring out what’s next, there’s many pit-stops to be made. Like figuring out your likes, dislikes, values, beliefs and what’s important to you. Mistakes will be made, struggles will be had, but ultimately, that’s how we learn.
If we change the narrative to be instead of what we are going to do with our life into what does our life look like it may become easier to navigate. Exploring yourself as a person means more than what career or school you select. There are options upon options in front of you but if you don’t know who you are, how do you know what you really want?
I’m not saying you will have the answers to that at this time either. Together we can make a plan to suit you in the here and now and a few years off but the best part of making a plan, is that you can change it. Being an adult means you have the power to alter your course at any time for any reason. Together, we’ll explore your values and learn how to make decisions that bring you closer to them. We’ll build confidence in decision-making, and learn how to make meaning and progress for mistakes, set backs and the difficult times we experience.
So, to all those young adults out there that are feeling lost, stuck, confused, or unsure of themselves in how to navigate these life transitions, reach out – we can help.