Dear Dorothy,
I feel stuck. I am in my late twenties, and I still cannot figure out where I truly belong career-wise. I enjoy many things, but none feel clear enough to commit to. Sometimes I feel guilty because my peers seem to have everything sorted out. Other times, I feel anxious because I worry that I am running out of time to make the right choice.
I have tried different roles. Some were interesting at first, but soon became draining. I keep asking myself if I am supposed to keep trying or slow down and rethink everything. I want a career that gives me purpose, stability and room to grow, but I do not know how to find it.
How do I navigate this confusion without feeling like I am failing?
Yours sincerely,
Sandra
Dear Sandra,
Take a deep breath. You are not behind, and you are not failing. Many people reach a point in their twenties or even thirties when they begin to question where they are headed. It is a sign of self-awareness, not confusion.
Start by stepping away from the pressure to choose a perfect path. Careers are not straight lines. They are journeys that unfold through curiosity, learning and experience. Think about what energises you rather than what impresses others. Reflect on the tasks that make you lose track of time, the challenges that excite you and the environments where you feel valued.
You do not need to find all the answers at once. What you need is your next step. This could be taking a course, volunteering in a new area, speaking to people who work in fields you admire or starting a small project that allows you to test your interests. These small steps will point you in the right direction far more than worrying ever will.
Let go of comparison. Your peers are on their own separate journeys. Focus on yours. The right path often becomes clear when you give yourself permission to explore without fear.
You are allowed to grow, shift and try again. Trust the process and trust yourself.
Warm regards,
Dorothy