Wanting to do big things...

[Anonymous]

Hello, twentysomethings! Like the rest of you, I found great comfort in having my anxiety validated in this book. I graduated with a degree in English Education in December 2000, but all the teaching jobs I've applied for are not exactly what I want. I have this wanderlust inside of me that says, "Don't settle yet!" I have this vision of myself as a teacher wearing apple stuff and puffy painted sweatshirts, seeing generations of students come through my classroom, and then waking up one day and regretting not doing more while I was still young and unattached. Recently I've considered Americorps (which is like a domestic Peace Corps) or possibly a big move, but I just don't know where to begin. I have so many options that I'm paralyzed. Instead of embracing this very exciting time, I am riddled with worry about the future and have had an ulcer since I was 21. Now, at 23, I foolishly feel as if time is running out in a sense and that I better grab my opportunities while I can. I just had my five year high school reunion, and I didn't know what to say when everyone asked, "And what are you doing?" I wanted a pretty little box with a bow to hand to them that said "This is my job, this is my boyfriend, and this is my place, isn't it all gorgeous?!" I try to put things in perspective, but I'm constantly overwhelmed. Can anyone relate? Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of people have those worries. I'm 22 and a half (i still measure age in halves) and I was thinking "I'm so old..." all summer. But I came out of it when I moved to nyc and realized that we are YOUNG and we have years and years and years to figure out what we are doing. If it helps, just look at sitcoms about people our age, and this website, and realize that the rest of the world out there thinks we are FUNNY because we are worrying so much at our age. Granted, we're not in our teens anymore, but neither is most of the planet, and people of all ages re-create themselves everyday.
So yes, like the other anonymous said, relax, but look around too and read what other people are writing because we are all worried but you just have to hang in there and trust time.

[beaker]

I'm 23 now, graduated with a Comm degree in '99 but for the past 2 years I've been serving in the Army because it's mandatory in my country. Whenever someone asks what I want to do, I have this line that I use that goes like: "I'm not definite about the kind of work I will be doing, but I want a job that has a purpose, like being in an environmental group". The thing is, I just use 'environmental' simply to get that mental picture across to that person of a job with a cause. For all I know, I might like working with animals or teaching, but the truth of the matter is that I have all these big ideas in my head, and just keep wondering whether I should settle for a stable run-of-the-mill job so I can survive. Being in the Army is no better because all I do is further contemplate the best job for me out there.