can't decide what to do with my life

[paranoia.precinct]

I don't know what to do, I don't know which way to go. I've been trying to find any sort of talent for 5 years and nothing, a great passion and nothing. Just alot of stuff I can do half way decent and stuff I'm kind of interested in.
I've been given the advice to remember the things I most enjoyed doing, but those come down to playing video games and traveling (usually on the local bus). It's really starting to piss me off. What do I do? Is there some Talent

 

[Brawndo]

I think that what you're talking about is just cliche that was pumped into you by society and the media.

Who says that everyone has a great passion? There are a lot of things I like doing, but there isn't a single hobby or interest that I obsess over and would be crushed if I had to stop doing it. And unfortunately most of things I like doing cannot be easily turned into a career.

I also think it's a myth that each of us has some talent waiting to be discovered. Most "talents" require a LOT of hard work; Gladwell writes that 10,000 hours of practice are required to become an expert in something. Most of us are just competent and some people aren't even at that level.

I think what is important is to ask yourself what makes you happy. I know it sounds lame, but isn't that the end goal of everything you pursue in life? Money, power, recognition - all of these are things that people strive for because they think that these things will make them happy. So once you identify what makes you happy, ask yourself if you need a high-paying job or some amazing talent to enjoy these things.

 

[JesterRaiin]

What do I do?

If i understand correctly what you're asking here, there are two aspects of your problem.

One : "to have". No help here since "working" is equal to slavery in my eyes. Yet, i think i can assure you that pretty much everyone who wants to work will find some work. It may not be the job of your dreams, but, sadly, there are only a few people on the Earth that do what they really want to do.
At the end it's about knowing certain people, not skills or experience. For example, the young chick with no experience and knowledge about sport became the chief of sport in our governement. True story.
So, no stress here.

Two : "to be". If you look at the world from certain perspective, nothing makes any sense. Everything we do and strive for is meaningless. There's nothing we can do that will survive for longer than a few centuries and comparing to the infinity it's nothing. There's nothing we can really change - despite having iPhones and rockets we still fear the same things that made us afraid thousands years ago. We still do to each other what we did back in "The Age of Caves".
So, there's no real reason to push it, chase "happiness", waste time and resources trying to reach something just because "we're supposed to".

I guess we should simply try to be alive, watch what's happening around us, smile, think, talk. No rushing, no rat race, no "omg i need to have this !" Try to stop for a moment, pay no attention to what you're told. Listen to some good music. Spend some time doing nothing productive. Try to find some interesting things and places in your city. Learn something you want to learn, but don't push it. Try new things. Just live.
And remember... We create our fate ONLY partially.

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[paranoia.precinct]

@ both
Just live huh?
I can do that(^-^)
thks

 

[Craorach]

I think that what you're talking about is just cliche that was pumped into you by society and the media.

Who says that everyone has a great passion? There are a lot of things I like doing, but there isn't a single hobby or interest that I obsess over and would be crushed if I had to stop doing it. And unfortunately most of things I like doing cannot be easily turned into a career.

I also think it's a myth that each of us has some talent waiting to be discovered. Most "talents" require a LOT of hard work; Gladwell writes that 10,000 hours of practice are required to become an expert in something. Most of us are just competent and some people aren't even at that level.

I think what is important is to ask yourself what makes you happy. I know it sounds lame, but isn't that the end goal of everything you pursue in life? Money, power, recognition - all of these are things that people strive for because they think that these things will make them happy. So once you identify what makes you happy, ask yourself if you need a high-paying job or some amazing talent to enjoy these things.

Pretty much this. It's a ridiculous myth that everyone has this awesome talent, and everyone needs to be ambitious and know what they want and go, go, GO! for it. Most people end up going through life taking the opportunities that they find along the way.

If you want work, find work. I know it can be hard in the current climate, but the most important factor is being willing to do anything.. within reason of course. Look around you at the opportunities available to you, as parents or relatives to teach you to drive, start saving.

The people who have made a big show of their talents.. businessmen, artists, musicians, movie stars, sports stars, etc.. didn't get there just because of their talents, they got there through years and years of hard work and extreme sacrifice.

But these people are the exceptions, they have to be, there are probably over 7 billion people in the world.. but only room for a handful of really successful stars, businessmen and politicians. The CEO of a large business has hundreds, thousands, of people lower down in rank but just as important to the company continuing to run.

Not not fall for the Hollywood myth that says if you are not a unique, talented, insanely successful person you mean nothing to the world. The world needs people who do the jobs that they find and are happy more than it needs special snowflakes.

 

[HollaAtchABoi]

Aight. Your dilemma has inspired my latest work:

Your life is in a crisis

And its not very nice

I say jack off its righteous

and doing it thrice

-Holla

 

[Suijen]

Consider joining the Peace Corps or the military (the cushier the better). If you're going to be lost, at least do so with a salary or something you can put on a resume when you do find out what you want to do.

 

[Karhukonna]

I'd recommend just trying different things until something feels right. It's kinda expected of you to just sort of drift around a little, looking for something interesting. Try applying for odd jobs, or picking up new hobbies, whatever. I myself had my life set up on cooking until a few years back, when I fell in love with the military life. I've been working towards becoming an officer ever since. I might still change my plans, but that's how life generally works, ya know?

 

[Angie7F]

Its been pretty much covered but I agree that not everyone has talent.
or even if you do your talent is being a normal mediocre person.
There is nothing wrong with that.

Unless you give a job or two considerable amount of time and build some skills, you wont find out if you are any good at anything.
So even if the job doesnt make you happy, or feel like its your "calling" just get a job.
people you meet there or things you are forced to do there can inspire you to find something that is interesting for you to pursue.

Anyways, just drop the whole concept of everyone having talent crap, along with there is one soul mate out there, friendship is forever and love conquers all.

 

[bluepilot]

I think it takes at least 10 years to get really good at something and there is no time limit on finding out what that (those) talent(s) is(are). Most people do not know what they want to do with life and you will probably make a lot of mistakes before you get there. However, that is all part of the journey. The worst people in this world are those who went from a to b with no obstacles.

This is coming from someone who decided "I want to go to med school" seven years after the average age of an applicant....whoops...

 

[Tiger King]

What do I do?

At the end it's about knowing certain people, not skills or experience.

knowing people to put a word in for a job is handy but skills and experience are far more valuable when applying for a job.
how old are you if you don't mind me asking?
I'm guessing that your still quite young so don't worry too much.
Before I finished school we had 'career advice' or something like that. anyway the pressure of being asked "so what do you want to do with your life?" was huge for me , terrifying even!
I saw everyone else and they seemed to have everything laid out for them. Either their enjoyment of hands on work had got them into apprenticeships or they had higher education lined up. I like you seemed to posess no useful skills so I felt completely lost and personally a bit useless.

A lot has changed for me since then, I've had various jobs, most of them awful, though I can say each one has helped shape me with experience.
it took awhile but I found something I like doing, however in a few years I may get bored and want to choose to try something else.
you said you like travelling. I know some guys that work flat out for 3 months then have a 6 month holiday in Thailand or somewhere where the currency rate is heavily in their favour. perhaps not ideal philosophy long term but then u only live once! and 9 till 5 gets boring VERY quickly. they also have taken working visas in Australia which sounds pretty cool.

dont be like me when I was younger n think I CAN'T learn something because you can if you try hard and listen, you may even find out like I did your actually good at something you would of never had suspected.

so don't worry you can't base the rest of your life on a single decision now, whatever you end up doing make sure it dosent make you feel unhappy when you wake up in the morning.

 

[J3bba]

Join the circus.