I don't know what to do with my life

LegacyUser

Has anyone any ideas on how to deal with this issue? I'm 24, interested in quite a few things but I can't decide on what to do. I've been unemployed for so long, I'm desperate to get my life back on track. I would like something secure but don't want to get myself into something that isn't suited to me, just for the money.

At school I loved art and writing and wanted to get into something creative. I love music and learning instruments. I'm interested in science, technology and computers also. For a while I thought about studying something that would be easy to get a job in and then doing everything else as hobbies, but I don't know if that's a good idea. I suffered from depression for years which I've thankfully recovered from, but it was the music and other interests which in part saved me and gave me something to live for.

I just feel time is getting on now and I need to decide and go to college. However I dropped out of college twice before, due to the depression mainly, but I'm very scared of it happening again, so I really feel I need to make the right choice. I'm really frightened about my future, I'm scared of being in the same place in 5/10 years time.

Advice?

lace

Hi OP! Now is a great time to go to college if you're in a position to do so. The first thing i'd suggest is having a look on Qualifax.ie - a database of all the available courses. Make a shortlist of what kind of things interest you. You could also try career suitability (though I'd take these with a pinch of salt) to get some ideas.

Remember that most larger colleges will have a wide range of societies so even if your course doesn't link into art and music you'll still be able to find space to get involved in those. That said - there's not much point in commiting yourself to four years of study in a area in which you have no interest. If science, technology and creativity are your thing then perhaps a course in new/digital media or communications would be good for you? It would allow you to study technology but also challenge your creative faculties and some of these courses also offer creative writing or scriptwriting.

Good luck!

sarkozy

OP: I think I understand exactly what you mean.

At a practical level, I found this book extremely helpful. It's all about finding a livelihood that's right for you. There's an exercise in it which you work through and it gives you a picture of yourself which you use to map out your direction.

http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2011/dp/158008270X

Travel, teach English, make some money and worry about it when you're 27 instead of 24. You'll have a better idea then.