Mantra: Uncertainty

-DMB

I always hear that your twenties, while full of spontaneity and fun, are also full of uncertainty and even a little fear. I get it. I’m at a stage in my life where nothing seems sure. It’s the nature of the beast, and I get it.

What’s more important, I’m realizing, is that I not only get it, but accept it and roll with it. And, really, embrace it. It’s scary, but it’s exciting. Some of the best advice my parents have ever given me is to make sure that I always make options for myself. Lately I’ve been feeling that these “options”, i.e. all the interests I have, are slightly overwhelming. I love writing here, and wonder if writing is something I want to explore more. I adore fashion, and love my job and path of study. I hear a great song, and want to throw my hands up and say, “What am I doing? I should be singing.”

This is further complicated by the fact that I am surrounded by people who not only know what they want to do and are doing it, but they do it ridiculously well and are already immensely successful. And no, these people are not ten or twenty years older than me. Some, believe it or not, are younger. I hear the resumes and experiences of other students in my classes and the people I work with and my jaw literally drops. While hugely inspiring, it can be ridiculously intimidating.

But this is what I need to understand: while feeling like I don’t know which direction to turn is frustrating sometimes, it’s a good problem to have. And what a great time in my life to have it! I have so much time to try different things, to be spontaneous, and to get my hands dirty in all the things I love. If I decide to stick to something, then great. And if it doesn’t work out, I have options.

I’m not unfocused, I’m just a free spirit. And I just figured out that uncertainty is actually pretty awesome.