By: Dèlia Rubio
It’s the last week of December, the time of year when everything feels like it’s under a magnifying glass. Between the twinkling lights, endless “Best of the Year” lists, and those dreaded family gatherings, it can feel like the world is screaming, “So, what’s next for you?”
For many of us, that question hits like a gut punch. You might be finishing another semester of uni, scrolling through social media where everyone seems so sure about their lives, or staring at your relatives across the holiday table as they ask about your career plans, your love life, or where you see yourself living. And you might not have the faintest idea.
As young women, we’re often told to chase one big dream or find the one thing we love more than anything else. It’s romanticized, the idea of discovering “your calling” as if it’s hidden under some rock waiting to be unearthed. But let’s be real: life isn’t that simple. And honestly? That’s a good thing.
The Holiday Pressure Cooker
The end of the year brings reflection, but it also brings comparison. It’s hard not to feel lost when people around you seem to have things figured out. Your childhood bestie is moving abroad for her dream job. Your sister is in a serious relationship, and you’re over here trying to decide if it’s too late to change your major, or if you even like what you’re studying.
Family gatherings don’t help, either. Every well-meaning question feels like an interrogation: “What are you studying again? Oh, and what will you do with that?” It’s like they expect a PowerPoint presentation of your entire future. And when you don’t have a polished answer, it’s easy to spiral into self-doubt.
Let Go of the Timeline
Who decided we’re supposed to have our lives figured out by 18? Or 25? Or ever? The truth is, no one knows what they’re doing, not even the people who look like they’ve got it all together. Life isn’t a straight path; it’s more like wandering through a forest where the trails keep changing. Allow yourself to explore without the fear of being “too late.”
Try, Fail, and Try Again
Here’s the secret no one tells you: It’s through trying things that you discover what feels right. Volunteer for something new. Take a random class. Apply for that internship you’re unsure about. It’s in the doing, not the overthinking, that you start to figure things out. And if something doesn’t work out? That’s not failure, it’s redirection.
Stop Putting Pressure on Forever
You’re not marrying your career, your city, or even your hobbies. Life is long, and you’re allowed to change your mind. You might love teaching for a few years and then realize you’re ready to run a small business. Or you might stay in one field but find different ways to keep it fresh.
Passions are like seasons, they change, grow, and sometimes fade. What you love today might bore you next year, and that’s okay. Instead of searching for “the” thing, focus on what sparks your curiosity right now. That curiosity doesn’t have to last forever. It just has to be enough to move you forward.
Let the Unknown be Exciting
Not knowing where you’ll end up is scary, but it’s also freeing. It means your future is wide open, filled with possibilities you haven’t even imagined yet. Instead of thinking of the unknown as an empty void, think of it as a blank canvas. You get to paint your life, one color at a time.
To The Girl Who Feels Lost
Take a breath. You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t need to figure out your entire life in one day, one semester, or even one year. All you have to do is take the next small step. And then the next. Trust that you’re not falling behind, you’re simply finding your way. You’re allowed to be scared. But you’re also allowed to be hopeful. Remember, it’s okay to not know where you’re going, as long as you’re willing to keep moving.
A Note for the New Year
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, let go of the pressure to have everything figured out. Instead, focus on one thing: being kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel scared and unsure. It’s okay to be figuring things out at your own pace.
You’re not behind. You’re not lost. You’re simply in a season of growth, and growth is messy. Life isn’t about finding one big thing to love forever. It’s about discovering what matters to you right now and letting yourself evolve when it no longer fits.
So, here’s to 2025. Not to having it all figured out, but to taking small, brave steps toward whatever comes next. You’ve got this.
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