If You’re At A Crossroads In Life, Do This

I know that a lot of you will be graduating this summer and so this is for you. This is for the dreamers who overthink everything and the planners who don’t get around to doing anything. Let me tell you something- stop it. Stop overthinking. Stop thinking that your next decision is going to dictate the rest of your life- it’s not. Your next decision is going to be a step onto one path or another. So, if you’re at a crossroads in life or you’re going through an after uni-funk or maybe you just don’t have a clue what to do next, here’s my advice to you.

1) New People:
Talk to people who are younger and older than you and listen to their stories. Sometimes when you’re hanging out with the same people who are all doing the same things it’s easy to get sucked in and start living an identical life. Is that really what you want for yourself? You have to start looking forward and stop stalking people who used to be in your life. Facebook and Instagram stalking will not send out a telepathic messages informing ex-boyfriends of how amazing you are. Trust me, I’ve tested the theory. Instead, you need to focus on yourself and only then will you stop settling for second rate jobs, friendships and relationships.

2) Don’t be so hard on yourself
If you are comparing yourself to the photos you see on social media, you’re fighting a losing game. Nobody lives the life they put online. There will be days when you just don’t feel like it. When nothing seems to be going right. When you’re less productive. When you don’t meet your own expectations. There will be days when it feels like you’re taking one step forwards and three steps back and that’s okay; we all have those days. We’re all human. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are doing better than you think you are and you do have what it takes to be successful- I have no doubt.

3) Working 9-5?
Now is the perfect time to decide if this is for you. After university a lot of your friends will be getting into various industries and paving their way career-wise. But there isn’t only one way of doing things. Get curious and find something that inspires you. For me, I knew I always wanted to travel so I went out and lived it. You have to ask questions and be brave and before you slip into the rest of your 9-5 life you have to try something new. Don’t make procrastination an option. 9-5 will always be there. Adventure won’t.

4) Take a break:
Take a break from people. Take a break from your job if you need to. Taking a break from your routine gives you space to see things clearer and see where things need to change and where they don’t. You have got to make space for quality time, for spontaneity, for silence, for the right voices and the right thoughts. You need to recharge away from routine so you can keep doing your thing.

5) Try and fail, but never fail to try.
Trying and succeeding at something means you learn. Trying and failing at something means you learn far more. Don’t be so scared of failures- you’ve survived them all and you’re doing great. Some people spend so much time worrying about things not working out that they never try anything new and so live life constantly wondering ‘what if’. Finding your purpose means trying out lots of things. So, when you get a quiet moment, sit down and write yourself a ‘how-the-hell-will-I-manage-to-actually-do-this’ list and think about all that needs to be done to get from ‘here’ to ‘there’. What do you really want to do? One day soon (or far) you will look back on this list and see it as the pinnacle moment that you decided to try. The world is full of far too many people who don’t and they are the ones who tell you that you can’t. But you can, and you will.

For the dreamers who overthink everything and the planners who never get around to doing anything- start now. Take that road trip, talk to strangers, explore art galleries and goldmines, drink your cocktails strong and your coffee stronger. Stop acting like you live twice. You don’t. Start now and make it big.