Life can be quite tricky, especially when it comes to deciding which direction to take. When we’re young, we’re often encouraged to think about what we want to become and how to achieve it, even though having it all figured out by the age of 10 is a bit unrealistic.
I’m not just referring to careers. While some friends of mine knew they wanted to be veterinarians from age six and absolutely love it (aside from some rather graphic lamb birthing stories), I’m focusing more on choosing a path that brings happiness.
Recently, I’ve had experiences that made me pause and reflect on what truly matters, regardless of age. These moments have become clearer over time, and I want to share my insights.
Often, we find ourselves following paths that aren’t genuinely ours. We might go through the motions of college and university, only to be thrust into the reality of adult responsibilities like taxes and debts, needing a job to stay afloat.
I remember my first full-time job, a gig that was supposed to kickstart my career. Ironically, it had nothing to do with my degree or research, but it did pay the bills and helped tackle student loans. I enjoyed chatting with colleagues about random things just to pass time, but that was all it was—just passing time. Two years flew by, and although I was comfortable there, I felt stuck until something shifted.
You might remember when I wrote about my mom’s battle with cancer and how difficult it was to travel. That experience shook me, prompting a new perspective that I appreciate every day now.
Growing up is peculiar. As kids, we see our parents as superheroes, but illness can strip that away instantly. Life’s fragility becomes glaringly obvious. Thankfully, my mom overcame cancer, but the experience left me with a key lesson: to be content with my own path and make choices about how I want to live. Shortly after my mom was declared cancer-free, I decided to leave my job.
I wanted to regain control of my life, focus on writing and traveling, and treasure the time spent with loved ones, the most important aspect of life.
We each have our own path. Some may have known theirs since childhood, others, like me, discover it later. It doesn’t matter when realization strikes, just that it does, so we can cherish every day and intentionally choose our paths.
It’s easy to get caught up in material things like cars or fancy vacations, but those aren’t what truly matter. Relationships and time with loved ones are priceless, and it’s vital to pursue our dreams and happiness without fear of rejection.
We only have one life, more precious than anything money can buy, and it’s best lived by making conscious choices that lead to our happiness rather than following someone else’s plans. Embrace your path and happiness, today and always.
