Recently, as you may have read, I came to the decision that it was time for a bit of direction. I was full of ideas and dreams – but had no plan in place to help them become part of reality, and it was high time that changed. In years of late, I think I’ve become more of a big-picture thinker – whether the current situation is life-shattering or miniscule, I try to think of how my future self would look back on my current course of action. Perhaps that’s why I have such difficulty understanding people’s choice to perpetuate rifts and disagreements – we’re only given a finite time on this earth, so why choose to waste time on something futile?
This mentality has been the fuel for the newfound decision to take direction of my life. I don’t want to look back in fifty years time at my twenties and say I wasted them, settling for a job that, though pleasant, doesn’t exercise my strengths or passions. I don’t want to say I wasted these years surfing Facebook, watching back episodes of Star Trek, or saving for a rainy day instead of spending time actually living. I don’t want to live in a state of the perpetually unfinished – an education once started but never complete; an idea for a story once hatched but never written; a dream once borne but never transitioned into actuality. Now is the time I can make the choice to take control, and though the thought slightly terrifies me, there are three things that have been swirling around my mind, desperate to escape the confines of the immaterialised and take shape to become the rest of my life. It’s easy to talk about dreams and bucket lists that have no set expiry date, meanwhile being perfectly content to coast through the day-to-day without taking any risks. I’m happy that I started my 26 Before 26 last summer – it’s pushed me through my 25th year and made me grasp opportunities, take leaps, and do things I’d always dreamed of, but never had the proverbial balls to try. But these were all small things that though in part, add up to me becoming more comfortable with myself, don’t ultimately influence the grand scheme of things. I may be more comfortable in front of a group, and I may have developed a few new skills, but this isn’t the stuff of great magnitude. This isn’t stuff that charters the course of the rest of one’s life.
But these three dreams, these three swirling ideas that wrap themselves around my day-to-day, may very well be just that. I only have three more years as a twenty-something, and I need this decade to close on accomplishment. Three more years, three big ideas. It’s going to take patience, dedication, and financial hits. It’s going to take a shift in priorities, lifestyle changes, and lots of perseverance. It’s going to take a heck of a lot of faith, and a few big risks. But I can’t break this pull I’m feeling; I’ve been offered a one-way ticket to a threefold destination, and there’s no stopping the train. One of these stops involves higher education. One of these stops involves my biggest passion in life, and the pursuit of the ultimate dream. And one of these stops involves something that wasn’t on my radar this time last year, but now seems the only way forward. Over the last few weeks, I’ve taken small steps into this new territory – and I’ve never felt more strongly that life is becoming exactly what it was meant to be.
Prose and Constellations 
hey you know, I think watching Star Trek is time well spent! But I will say that having three solid directives in life could warrant good use of time, so if you decide to not watch Star Trek, I forgive you. Ha….
Although they are a little vague in your description, going with what you’re saying, I’d say number two is the looking the promising for you (if these options are mutually exclusive). It’s your dream and greatest passion! That’s a calling right there Emily. Gopher it, I say!
I will say though, find the constructive daily habits to get you where you need to be and STICK TO THEM. I find that changing lifestyle habits like to be very difficult, yet SO important. Remember, the way we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. Find what you want Emily and don’t wait any longer.
Best of luck kiddo
Oh it IS well spent, most definitely! Maybe just in moderation, lol.
I hope all THREE are promising!! I just have to learn some self discipline and rearrange my schedule a little, and hopefully number to can start becoming reality soon 🙂
a) i have never seen a single star trek episode.
b) go for it. it’s never to early to do what emily wants and go for it!
a) WHY NOT? lol
b) Thanks for the encouragement!! 🙂
You only ever get more of what you focus on in life and I like your thinking.
Risk + Life (one time) = Nike (just do it) lol. Either that or you look back on your life and say “If only I had ………….”
EXACTLY. I try to get into the habit of thinking as if I were at the end of my life – and living the one I want to look back on and say “I didn’t waste any time”. 🙂
High five, lady! I love your enthusiasm. I know for me that most difficult part of doing what I wanted to do was making the decision, but now decision made you can make the leap! Can’t wait to hear about how you get on 🙂
I love that you made a leap as big as you did, and I can see 100% it was worth it!
You are very inspirational Emily Jane! 🙂
Aww, thank you! ❤
So. I wrote a super long comment but then it turned too personal (and I mean TOO personal like REALLY personal. hehe) so I decided to delete it. 😀
But all I wanted to say is that I wish I have your drive, and passion, and enthusiasm, and all that. You are very inspiring.
I wanna hear it! lol
Thanks so much for the kind and NON personal words… but now you have me intrigued 🙂
I’ve always had dreams and goals (marry, raise children, have a job I love, create art.) But I don’t think I understood the concept of “vision” until I was in my late 40s. You are experiencing this now. Bravo to you!
Why thank you! 🙂 🙂
Man, I should try to be a little bit like you…. I have hope and dreams and goals, but sometimes feel so limited, so tied-down by the every day life.
I’m hoping we can challenge the everyday stuff. Because ultimately, it’s not what we want to look back on and say that’s what we spent our time doing. Dream big miss, and go after them!
I can’t believe you put “Star Trek” and “wasting time” in the same sentence. You should be ashamed of yourself!
But seriously, I’m excited to see where these three new directions will take you!
And when did you do a design change? I must have missed that day. Looks fab nonetheless!
I am a disgrace to nerds everywhere, lol 🙂
Thanks – I’ve finally settled on a design I actually feel happy with!
Fab news girl! They do say the things that are worth most in life are the ones that are the hardest to get. If a challenge is ahead, it probably means you’re on the right path! Best of luck and I can’t wait to hear what these three things are.
I’m a little scared to share just yet, for fear of jinxing things – but if any of them work out, I’ll be sharing them ASAP!
It sounds like you’ve got a very exciting adventure ahead of you, and I can’t wait to see where life takes you–or where you take yourself, I should say!
Aww, thanks!
You’re at the best time in your life. This is where it gets exciting. You get to PLAN how to live life according to what makes you happy. Remember that planning and setting goals is the first step to achievement. Wishing you lots of good luck along the way. 🙂
Thanks so much, I really appreciate that 🙂
love the energy in this post em! you’ve shown us all how you’ve achieved the goals you’ve set yourself before, and i’m positive you’ll do it all over agin with the Big Three!!! good luck and can’t wait to hear how it all goes xxx
Awww thank you!! I’m nervous, but excited! ❤
jump on that train and take the ride, girl!! it’s ALWAYS worth it to follow your dreams and do what you’re passionate about.
can’t wait to hear more about it!
It’s like you reached into my brain and picked out of it exactly what I’ve been thinking. I’m loving the idea of putting some direction in your life (and stealing that idea for me, because seriously, what a good way to put it). Like you, I don’t want to look back on my 20s and feel like I was just planning ahead but never living in the moment. I feel like so much of my life has been looking to the future, but never just being in the present moment. I want to do more of that and this post totally reminded me of those feelings!
I’ve never watched star trek – but I can quote verbatim whole episodes of how I met your mother seasons 1-3…
this sounds lovely and I can’t wait to hear more about your plan as it unfolds 🙂
Your blog is awesome… just thought I should say that, even though it’s out of context with the post 🙂
Step 1. Go to BlogHer. Step 2. Professional Columnist… not that I’m putting ideas in your head or anything 🙂
Aw, you made my day!
I actually HAVE signed up for BlogHer but it keeps saying because I’m WP.com, my blog doesn’t qualify 😦
I would love to be a columnist…
This is very exciting! I can’t wait to read more about where this path takes you.
I admire you for doing what you want to do at this time of your life…I was still “adrift” when I was your age (career-wise, at least)…
Wendy
I can’t wait to hear more, Emily! I know you are the kind of person who chases headfirst after her dreams so I have no doubt you will be successful in this.
I hope so! Thanks so much love 🙂
I LOVE THIS blog post and the title too! I turned 26 in Dec and it hit me harder than when I turned 25. I thought “I am closer to 30 than 20! what have I accomplished?” In Jan I decided to start my own blog because I missed writing and being creative. I saw others around me being successful but I (felt like I) had little to show for myself. At this point in our lives, we must only surround ourselves with people who make us happy, who enrich our lives. We aren’t in high school anymore- no more petty drama should bring us down. We’re only in our 20’s once. We must live it now.
-Caryn
Carynlevyonline.blogspot.com
Exactly!! Part of the blogosphere I love is being proverbially “surrounded” by people who are motivated, positive, encouraging, and dreaming big – it’s infectious and makes you want to do the same 🙂
Beautiful post! Everyone has already summed up what I would have said. Life without risks is pretty boring don’t ya think? :] Keep it up love. We’re all rooting for you!
Thank you so much!!
you have no idea how much i can relate to this. it’s a constant topic of conversation between greg and me lately…
xoxo
Facebooking you NOW, I’m curious as to whether we’re thinking the same thing! 🙂
Star Trek is not wasting time silly girl!
I know I know 🙂
Added, I really like your blog! 🙂
I have struggled many times with feeling as if I missed the boat in accomplishing what I wanted out of my life. I think that in our twenties it’s still fairly difficult to grasp how long our lives can be. We have tons of time to accomplish what we want to accomplish!
Last year when I was in therapy my psychologist told me she’s had three careers throughout her life (thus far) and had just finished her third degree at 49. So it’s never too late to change your life direction. The idea of knowing what you want out of life as a teenager and settling in to one career/path for the rest of your life is outdated.
I think I know what I want out of my life, for now, although I’m not entirely sure how to get there I look for opportunities and put myself out there when those opportunities arise. My horizons are broadening!
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I like this idea of “3 years, 3 big ideas”. I think pushing yourself to achieve something, whether it’s 3 dreams in the enxt 3 years or 26 things before you turn 26, is great. I pushed myself to accomplish a bunch of things before I turned 30 and while i didn’t cross them all off the list, I accomplished more than I would have if I hadn’t made a list!
Best of luck!
I’ve been on the same path of “Who is Future Me?” and have been meaning to post it — especially since Future Me is 30 in 98 WEEKS!!! lol