**Written on Tuesday 9/9/14**
So I just finished a HIIT session on the bike down in the gym. I always hate doing cardio, but after I finish I always feel 100% better. It's just that before dread, before anxiety. My stomach even gets upset beforehand and I usually have to pop a Pepto to settle it. (Is that weird?) After I finished today, I felt one of those sparks of writing creativity and inspiration (they have been happening a lot lately). I don't have anything to write on except this squishy yellow package envelope I just picked up from the mail room. I didn't even make it back to my room before I really just had to sit down and write this. I am sitting right here in the empty dining hall (except for two girls on their laptops and an annoying coughing kid eating pudding. Ugh! I am sick and I'm not coughing!) Anyway... I needed to write because I am having a college-career-life crisis.
I really don't think I should be here. I don;t want to study or do work (I don't think I even have that much. Is that normal? **Lie, that all changed this week**). My classes are done so early every day and then I have all this time to contemplate my future. I am to college with the career goal of working in government or the CIA. But is that really my passion? I find all that subject matter and the world interesting, but is that what I want my future career to be in? They say it is 100% okay at age 18 to not know what you want to do in life, but that is such a fallacy. You do need to somewhat know. College education costs massive amounts of money and time. I don't want to waste either because I have so little of both. I always thought I was an academic, everyone who knows me thinks that, but now I am starting to really question that.
I think I know my passion now. Yoga, fitness, cooking, and health. The things I have to try so hard to keep going strong in my life right now because of this college journey I undertook. But I really think I have it now. Yes, my ideas for my future have changed so many tines, from lawyer to doctor to CIA. But I think yoga teacher and holistic living clearly defines what I crave and enjoy in life.
Should I follow this?
Will it make me happy? Can I make a living?
I'm lost and only feel "found" when doing these things I love...
So tell me:
+ Have you found your passion? Do you follow it?
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Shannon
After a couple years of hard work, I was accepted into nursing school this last summer. I had my future all planned out, finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up (at 35 with 4 kids). After some serious praying, pondering, tough questions, I declined it. Everyone is astonished because it is quite an accomplishment to be accepted into a program. I have decided to pursue the creative part of me that was dormant for many many years. I have just started my own photography business. Though the road will be rough, my heart is singing once again. Life is short, follow what you love and success will come.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is a beautiful thing and you are so brave! But you know what, your the type of person to look up to, you said screw it and truly followed your passion even when there is uncertainty!
Your awesome 😉
Shannon
aww gosh thanks 🙂
Emily
Hi! I wish I could go back to 18. Deep down, you know what is right for you. If you are second guessing your choices in college now, you may want to listen to your gut. I went to college for nursing straight out of high school. When I became a nurse, I was so saddened by the entire aspect of healthcare. Now, I'm 29, married, and have a son, with huge college debt. So, long story short-- I would follow your heart. Life is too short to do anything that isn't making you happy <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's 100% true. I wish we all could just see into the future and make our lives a bit easier knowing how things will play out!
Cassi
Starting my journey to improve my overall health and wellness revealed my passion. It was the very thing I avoided my whole life! I'd always known that my purpose is to help people but never knew how I was to do it. It's now my passion to help others on their own journey to improve their overall health and wellness.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I do want to share my passions with others. That's why I want to get on the right path to do just that.
Siobhan- BeFree Project
Love this! Yes, I'm passionate about helping women discover their purpose and passion in life. It is such a rewarding feeling to know you purpose in life and then be able to live it everyday. Great post! Stopping by from sits girls sharefest.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's great that you've found and can live your passion. I've found mine but am just not living it just yet!
Katherines Corner
So many of us find our passion later in life. You are fortunate to have found yours now. I wish you happiness, and great success on the new path. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog hop. Hugs and Namaste'
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish I could be working toward that passion now though :/
Kirsty @ Southern In-Law
Oh sweet girl, I am sending huge hugs your way! We all go through this! I started out as a photographer when I realised I was more passionate about writing and that I actually could write professionally without a college degree (I'd always been told otherwise - and are still told otherwise until people see my work) so I pursued both - later adding social media and graphic design on too!
Go with your heart - even if it turns out to be a choice that wasn't so great, you can always try another path!
Kristy @ Southern In-Law
Damn autocorrect changing my name to Kirsty!!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Kristy, you are a great example of following your passion and becoming a success with it! You seem so happy with the choices you made and it is great to see that it is possible to do what you love and love what you do 🙂 XOXO
jill conyers
We're in the same place Rebecca! Passions that have changed and being willing to take a leap of faith to make it happen.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
But my passion would mean getting my yoga certs and fitness certs and ditching college.....bad idea :/
jill conyers
Oh no. Did I miss that in the post? Ditch college? Very bad idea!
It will all come together my friend. You will live your best most beautiful life. I just know it!
I'm facing I want to do it all and make it all happen NOW! Not going to happen that way. Taking one (or 2 ) steps at a time.
Sarah
Hey girl! I have so much to say on this topic and don't want To type it all on my iPad but if you want to talk to someone who just went through this,PLEASE email me! I have 6 cousins/brother going through the same thing right now and I've been talking to them a lot about it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I may just do that Sarah! Thanks!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
You can make a living in this field! But, I wouldn't say give up on college just yet. It's an incredible experience, and you will appreciate what you learned along the way.
You're on the right path- already a fitness/health blogger, so building a reputation as an expert in the field- having a degree, and earning a living from your passion, can take time-- you have time to figure it out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
But do I really have that time to waste (money to waste on a maybe pointless education).
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
You know, I can't imagine not having gone to college. But honestly, I knew my passion was health and fitness when I was in high school-- but I went to college, went to grad school, entered a career (which I'm still in) that wasn't my passion, and now I have a ton of student loans and am trying to find a way back to a career in health and fitness. And I wonder how much different my life would be if I had just stuck to what I knew I was passionate about back then.
Big decisions! I often forget how much life could be if I didn't have those loans hanging over my head!
lindsay
oh friend, i get this. Your passions change as you grow into your own person. And either way, college will give you that experience! go with your heart! xxoo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Lindsay. I have definitely learned a lot about myself in these last 3 weeks, haha!
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?!
It's so hard because you are right - at a young age we're expected to know what we want to do with the rest of our lives already. I didn't even know my exact career existed at that age, but I did study and work hard in college and eventually the path took me here. It's hard to have that pressure though. I did follow my passion (music and the arts) but it isn't necessarily an easy road. Good luck sorting things out. I believe that working hard and getting a solid education can carry you through a different career field, even if you decide to change directions later. Good luck!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, just because you major in something doesn't mean you have to do the careers associated with that specifically. A college education is a must no matter what, it is just easier studying something you are passionate about and will be a little easier to use in the future.
Cynthia @ You Signed Up For WHAT?!
And it's definitely easier to get excited about the long hours of work if you're interested in the topic. My Bachelor's is in Music Education but I somehow always knew I didn't want to teach. But major options for music were performance or education. That's it - arts management wasn't really a known thing back then!
Victoria Sneden
Hey Miss! Sounds like you fell under the spell known as Syllabus Week, best known for tricking people into thinking they have no work at all and then suddenly having a packed schedule by the time the next week rolls around! You'll shake it out, no stress there.
I think the best piece of advice I can give you is one that someone gave to me when I was a freshman at Rutgers. Major in something you're passionate about, 9 times out of 10 your first (second, and even third) job out of college will have little to nothing to do with your major directly. Instead, those jobs will come from the networking that you do in college and the professionals you meet as your mentors that will help you in the "real world".
If you're passionate about yoga, cooking, healthy living, and generally being awesome then take time to explore those classes before or while jumping into the government/CIA track you THOUGHT you were interested in. The beauty of the first few years of college is shaking out what you really care about versus what industry you want to work in post-grad.
You have a fantastic support group of friends out there, please do not hesitate to reach out if you're ever feeling overwhelmed. We're here for you 🙂 myself included. You're a superstar, never forget that.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Victoria 🙂 XOXO
I know this time should be for exploring everything possible, but it feels like there is no time and I need to figure things out on my own and quick!
But I do need to give myself a break there. I know what I am passionate about and this is only my first semester. I can change things and I know people do, I just don't want to wait or make the wrong decision.
Missy
Enjoy your time in school, kid!
And YES follow your passion.
It seems plain to me that you've decided the direction you want to go in, so translate that into something skill-related that translates into a major.
For example, want to open a yoga studio? Study business.
Want to work for a company that makes Holistic producta? Study marketing. Help design the packages they go in, the best way to spread the message about the products benefits, where to sell it..etc.
Want to get into Nutrition? Study dietetics. Now... it will be Chemistry and Bio and Physio
You'll take accounting classes if you pursue Business... etc.
Not all the classes are gonna be cartwheels of fun BUT the degree you choose should be a vehicle to TRANSLATE your education into a skill/knowledge base that will land you a lucrative career. (I.e. one that makes money so you can buy toothpaste save for retirement).
Stay in school and ENJOY!! And loosen up a bit! You're 18!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thank you Missy, you said it very well.
Thing is I love health, but science is not my thing. And forget math. I can't even handle fractions.
That's why I don't know where exactly to go with my major right now. It's hard...
Missy
You obviously like writing and you've got a great website built up....communications....journalism.... maybe marketing?
A job in marketing and communications can translate into EVERY industry.
Also PLEASE dont let the science and math thing rule anything out.
I FEEL ya girl.
BUt at my old ripe age I am headed back to pursue my RN (math, numbers, science, HELLO!).
You can do anything you want to do. I believe it!
But overall? Relax. Everything will fall into place REALLY! REALLY really REALLY!
Side degrees in nutrition and yoga certifications can all be done on the side.
Zoe Diaz-McLeese
I totally feel where you are coming from. I'm a history major, and I want to do museum education and work in a museum setting, but sometimes I wonder why, especially because I probably won't make a lot of money as a museum educator. But, I have to believe that happiness is more important than money, and if I follow my heart then good things will happen. 🙂
xo,
Zoe | La Vie en Zoe
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right. I think we get to focused on money and that hinders our passions. But growing up without money was hard and I always told myself I would never put myself in that situation.
Pure Grace Farms
I worked in nursing for most of my career and still dabble occasionally when I have to make money, but it was never my great passion. I didn't put a name on what it was until I started blogging a little over a year ago. I love to write, connect with people and share my faith and encouragement as I do so. This is my passion. and I am so glad I am able to follow it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I want that. I want yo be proud of what I do and love every second. I want to do the things I love everyday.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
I don't know exactly what to tell you but make sure you have something you have a passion for in your life. I find that people rarely end up doing exactly what they went to college for. Good luck!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Michelle. I don't really know what I should do either right now.....
Kara Lydon, RD
Good for you! I recently got clear with what I want to do vs. what I thought I should be doing so I went through yoga teacher training this summer and just got my certification last month! It's so worth it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well girl, you are living my dream then! We need to talk!
Nikki Vergakes
I feel ya! I switched concentration from journalism to PR because I went into college blind not realizing what I wanted to do. I love my decision but I question it every day, and it's normal to. I also have a passion for health and running. I decided to combine my passions (writing/designing and health) and hop to go to grad school for health communications. Don't be afraid to combine your passions. Besides, you never know where you're going to do in life, we have so many twists and turns. your undergrad isn't as important, because of grad school and career changes.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! I just don't have the motivation to study the path I have layed out right now. I want to study fitness and nutrition. But doing so would take some major overhaul and I just feel so "alone" on this. I need someone to guide me!
Emily @My Healthyish Life
Girl, I know exactly what you mean. College is so expensive and I don't want to "study the wrong thing." I have changed my career path SO many times because 17 and 18 year olds shouldn't be able to declare a major freshman year haha. I STILL don't know what I really want to do. And I think that's OK. But after my internship this summer that wasn't very engaging, I realized how important it is to me to follow my passion and spend my life doing something I love.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Internships and actually experience in the field your interested can be so beneficial! I have that opportunity here in DC to get just that, yet, I feel like I don't need it because I know what I love to do each day....and that is not government...
Nicole
Do what you love. The money will follow. That's what my successful boyfriend constantly tells his children, my children and me. I'm finally following his advice at age 44! I still don't know how the money will follow but writing my little blog, doing what I love (cooking, making specialty cakes/cupcakes) trying some new things and facing fears has been very rewarding the past few months. I finally feel like I'm on the right track. I agree with you. It definitely sounds like your passion his health and wellness, maybe exercise, nutrition, physical therapy? Do what you love. The money will follow.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I guess you just have to truly trust you passion and know that there are people following their passions who are able to completely thrive and live happy. Plus I see so many (bloggers) everyday doing the things I dream of doing! I know it's 100% possible.
CARLA
YES YES YES (I have)
and YES YES YES (as best I can being mom and married:-))
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You know what you want Carla!
Jennifer Ebbs
I was an ECE for 17 years and hated it. Finally went to night school to get my Library and Information Technician diploma. I'm now working in a library in the children's dept. It's only PT (no full time jobs in the field) but I love it. I finally have a job I love going to. Follow your heart and passion, the rest will fall in line.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That is the best thing to do! I don;t want to be unhappy and right now I can't picture doing what I had planned.
Kelly
Listen to that voice. Your heart will not steer you wrong. Maybe right now it's not something that will generate income. Who cares? Use your job to fund your passion. It will come. 🙂
Kelly
http://www.alovelylifeindeed.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Kelly!