Forum | What do you do when you don't know what to do? by ThisIsMyUsername

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? 17:42 - Feb 8 with 5166 views

I'm 25 and have no idea anymore what I want to do with my life. I spent 22/23 years only wanting to ever do one particular job which is what I was consciously always working towards but now having worked in the same industry (but a different job) I know enough about it now that I can't bring myself to want to do it anymore.

So I'm now in a position where I have absolutely no idea what my calling is. I also don't live in a particularly inspiring part of the world which makes me utterly bored. I'd love to get out and live a bit more but how do you do that when you don't know what it is you want to do as a career/vocation?

Very bad times. Anyone else been in this situation?

(Inspired by the career change thread).

[Post edited 8 Feb 2017 17:43]

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 00:06 - Feb 10 with 588 views

MVBlue

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 21:11 - Feb 9 by ThisIsMyUsername
Thanks so much for all the great responses, bits of advice and personal stories. It's exactly what I expected from TWTD and has given me plenty to consider. Need to have a proper think whilst bearing in mind everything in this post and hope that I can come up with a new plan!

Direct Qualifications help get entry into jobs, in IT, in Haulage, in inspection, plumbing, etc etc
Degrees are mostly just background achievement paperwork, the more relevant experience you have to a role, with a previous employer etc and the industry qualifications will get you into the role you want. Sometimes take a naff job to get industry experience for X months.

But bear in mind if you are free of house, wife and family you can fulfill travel opportunites and may stumble on any number of things in places like Asia, where living is cheap and experineces are cheap. Padi dive master, English teacher, tour guide, site security, 'fixer', the more people you meet and befriend the more opportunities open. I lived in Oz with girlf for 3 years, its all out there. As someone who has worked in the police service you have valuable experience you can bring to the table in different roles.

[Post edited 10 Feb 2017 0:13]

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 05:57 - Feb 10 with 555 views

Benters

I think for most on here the answer is ... nothing!

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 07:43 - Feb 10 with 545 views

TractorWood

Visit Japan in cherry blossom
See the great wall of China
Hit the casino's of Vegas
Go on Safari in Africa
Visit the Souks of Marrakech
Hike in the Rockies
Go trekking in Nepal
Cycle the East coast of Taiwan
Dive the Great Barrier Reef
Visit the beer halls of Munich
See the museums of Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam
Ski
Watch England play abroad
Trek Machu Picchu
See the Northern lights
Get lost in Hong Kong or Tokyo
Eat and drink in New York
Explore India with a rucksack

None of these will help you get a job but they will certainly help your frame of mind and to gain some perspective.

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 08:48 - Feb 10 with 519 views

gordon

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 07:43 - Feb 10 by TractorWood

I'm pretty certain that if the Jono went off and did all that he would come back a tiresomely boring c*nt without any sense of perspective at all :)

The other thing which may or may not be on your radar is WWOOFing. I've never done it but If you did fancy a summer in france getting fluent at the lingo then this would be the easiest way to do it - a good friend went and worked on a vineyard in France for half a year and had a good time.

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 10:34 - Feb 10 with 492 views

Darth_Koont

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 07:43 - Feb 10 by TractorWood

Or you lose perspective. Depends on the person.

I agree that travel is beneficial but it's no more likely to reveal what you should be doing in life than just taking a random job. That also gives a certain perspective but not the best path to finding a sense of purpose in life.

I've met a few people in my younger traveling/working days who struggled to get off the traveling/seasonal work routine. Great fun in your 20s but after 10+ years, it was tiring them out. But they didn't feel they had anything to go back to and do in the UK or by settling overseas. Same for when I've lived abroad and have met those permanent residents who actually seem more likely to face exactly the same question as Jono because moving abroad was in itself a response to not knowing what to do.

Still think people first need to think about who they really are and test the type of work that can make that person happy - whether that's at home or abroad doesn't make any real difference. Although of course you're likely to have a bit more adventure and see stuff if you're overseas to start with.

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:13 - Feb 10 with 457 views

caught-in-limbo

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 07:43 - Feb 10 by TractorWood

This is good.

I've never met anyone who has planted roots after travelling that has lost or reduced perspective - though I have met plenty of permanent travellers who are perhaps missing something.

You really can't get enough experience of the world, but the clue to gaining a greater perspective of it is WHO you meet and talk to, not just what you see.

Backpacking round the world is a great way of meeting other people like you who go backpacking round the world. The key is to do it and leave the other backpackers behind. It's not difficult.

PS, I've done 10 of those things on your list.

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:34 - Feb 10 with 447 views

TractorWood

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 10:34 - Feb 10 by Darth_Koont

I'd argue a week in Japan would change anyone's perspective on life for the better. To me travel is about discovery, recharging your batteries and exploring different places and cultures.

[Post edited 10 Feb 2017 12:37]

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:40 - Feb 10 with 438 views

Swansea_Blue

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 07:43 - Feb 10 by TractorWood

A good list there.

Done
To do
To do
Done
To do
Done
Done
To do
Done
To do (although have done in Frankfurt, close enough)
Done
Done
To do
Done
Done
Done
To do
Done

Too much to do, so little time! Personally, I can't see how travelling can broaden one's perspectives. It's not the answer to anyone's problems though - I expect most people will have a 'what next?' moment at least once in their lives, and probably every few years.

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:40 - Feb 10 with 436 views

hoppy

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 08:48 - Feb 10 by gordon

Good suggestion, but that can be a dog's life though...

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:49 - Feb 10 with 418 views

Darth_Koont

What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 12:34 - Feb 10 by TractorWood
I'd argue a week in Japan would change anyone's perspective on life for the better. To me travel is about discovery, recharging your batteries and exploring different places and cultures. [Post edited 10 Feb 2017 12:37]

But possibly more about giving a healthy, exciting balance in life when you already have a purpose rather than supplying the purpose itself?

Unless you're a travel writer, cocktail mixer etc.

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What do you do when you don't know what to do? on 13:22 - Feb 10 with 395 views

itfcjoe

Have you thought about learning a trade?

I can understand why people don't want to go into policing, having close friends working there and seeing what they deal with - but most are ultimately content with the job.

But having worked in construction for the last 4 or 5 years, it feels as though (in my opinion) too many schools are giving bad advice to kids in what they should be looking to achieve when they finish school - go to university, travel, get a job in an office and stay there until you retire.

That obviously isn't wrong for everyone, I did it and was quite happy with it and making good progress - but now I'm in construction I see people who are similar to your age now that are earning really good money, have a wide range of practical skills, contacts and ability to really be a success. If you have any form of business flair to go with it then being qualified and going self employed can be very fruitful in the long term (but hard work).

Plumber, electrician, chippy, or just general handyman - and if you have the ability and passion for it it opens many more doors than it closes. And you'll have a skill set that is valuable anywhere in the world in reality.

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