I very often find myself getting caught up in the questions, Who am I? What do I want to do/be? What do I love? This is the ultimate question isn’t i? To find what we truly love to do and be happy doing it? But I find it does not always help to get asked this same question by friends, family, and colleagues as well on a regular basis. The pressure builds, either from yourself or others, and it can get overwhelming. Can’t I just BE? Can’t I just enjoy doing what I’m doing right now without having “it all figured out”? Isn’t that enough? Yes. Yes, it is enough.

The other day as I sat at work, a very warm-hearted woman asked me this very question. What do you like to do? I responded with the same wariness as always…well I like to cook, do yoga, be in nature, but I haven’t really found THE THING yet. She said, girl, just be you. Do what you love, and don’t worry about anything else. You have time. Run naked in the streets.  Travel. You will find what you love to do, and you’ll know because it will just feel right. But there is no rush. It doesn’t matter what other people are thinking or saying. In fact, the next time someone asks you what you want to do, just tell them, I’m just enjoying being 25 right now. I absolutely loved that.

This conversation took the weight off my shoulders. It was so nice having someone who simply said, don’t fret it, you’re doing fine. Instead of someone lecturing me about what they think I should be doing with my life, this woman was so nonchalant. It ain’t no thang. What a breath of fresh air! Thank you for not trying to tell me what I should do, and instead just telling me to be me. Thank you for reminding me I don’t need to be so hard on myself sometimes. Way too often do I/we/you get stuck in a rut of trying to find “the thing” and miss out on life itself. And that is just not how I want to live. Do you?

“Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination. Enjoy the ride.”

Some people know exactly what they want to do. They go to school for it, graduate, and get a job doing just that. Some people take a little longer, and don’t know until they graduate college and start working. But everyone is different, and many people don’t know until much later. And that is OK! Life is not about finding your passion, pursuing it, and that’s it; you’ve done your job. Life is about the journey, and it’s very easy to forget that when everyone (including yourself) is putting pressure on you to find your purpose. Let me tell you something, this pressure does not help. Beating yourself up over it does not help. It only makes us move slower. Especially for the stubborn folks who hate being told what to do (Aries anyone?). We cannot force the pace our lives are moving. In fact, the best things happen when we can finally let go. And once we do, the opportunity opens up to us.

“Your life reveals your purpose in every moment.”-Dr. John Demartini

It is not a race to find your passion. You can take it little by little. Life is about doing what you enjoy everyday and appreciating the journey. Every moment your life reveals your purpose. Maybe it is when you are sitting outside and enjoying the sun. Perhaps it is something someone says to you at work that lights up your day. Maybe it is in a good meal, or adventure, or great article you just read. Or maybe it is just in you. Instead of telling yourself, I am wasting my time, what am I doing, you can say, you are doing just fine. There is no rush. Giving ourselves this space will allow for growth.

For anyone who “doesn’t have it figured out”, who isn’t doing what they love (yet) because they just haven’t found it, you’re doing great. Keep on keeping on. Enjoy where you are. Find the good in it. You will get there. Believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone guilt you into rushing the journey. Be easy on yourself, we are only human. Everyday make it a point to do a little of what you enjoy. Whether that is taking walks in nature, or cooking up a storm, do it. Make time for it, and enjoy yourself. And let it go. Let go of the expectation of knowing your exact path. That is no fun anyway! Your dream job/passion/career/purpose will find you if you can open yourself up to it. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let it all out. You’ve got this. I believe in you.