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How do I decide what I want to do all my life?

I've always had several different interests that don't relate to one another necessarily. I'm interested in writing, music, psychology, dermatology, being a public figure, acting, and art, among several other things. The thing is, I don't like one any more than another. Doing all at the same time is what would make me most happy, but I'm unsure of how to go about that. Also, in terms of schooling it seems impractical, especially when it comes to money. I want to do a lot of things at once, otherwise, I don't want to do anything at all. What should I do?

#writing #music #psychology #dermatology #public-figure #acting #art #confused

psychology art music acting confused dermatology public-figure
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Israel’s Answer

Angelina,

I know the feeling exactly. As a young man I always had multiple (often conflicting) interests. I tried to do them all and got tired quickly because I was all over the place. Although I was doing a bit of everything I liked, I wasn't spending enough significant time on anything, which meant I wasn't really advancing in any of them. I was becoming a "jack of all trades and a master on none". When a couple of opportunities came along that really interested me I missed out on them because I didn't have in-depth technical knowledge even if I had practical trade experience. At that point I realized I needed to narrow my focus somewhat in order to attain a level of expertise.

You see, eventually we all find a point in the horizon that serves as a guide for our life. This is not to imply that we become a person with a single issue, trade or theme in life. What happens to people like us who have so many interests is that once we see the point in the horizon we explore, experience, learn, study and assimilate information from many of the careers and areas of expertise that gravitate or travel in the general direction of our point in the horizon.

In you're case (based on the info you've provided) I see connections between most of your interests. Writing songs can lead to learning music which in turn may lead you to producing your music and becoming a public figure. If you happen to sing your music then that could also lead into acting. Or perhaps you will learn to see the colors in music and do art as a hobby… or maybe it all makes you ask questions about your choices and you decide to use psychology to understand those choices… psychology of music, psychology of musicians, what makes musicians become musicians, etc. Not sure where dermatology fits here… but my point is, many skills can be connected to accomplish great things.

I am not the final authority on this, you are… as it is your life. So my suggestion is that you research all the things you like and decide for each one:
• how long will it take
• what you would need to learn
• how is it learned
• what is the job market like
• what is the pay
• is the effort worth it to you
• if you are truly willing to do all that is required to reach the goal and are you even interested in doing all the things that would need to be done

Once you've done that you may find that some are not as appealing as you may have originally thought or that others can work well as a hobby. Hobbies can be just as professional as any other main career course. It's about how serious you are when you engage in it that makes the difference.

Just for kicks, check out how this woman has evolved in her career. You may find inspiration. http://www.storysmith.org/index.html

I wish you luck in ALL your endeavors.
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Nir’s Answer

I think the best thing you could do is to shadow people in the different industries you are interested in. I think you will find that people are quite generous with their time and will allow you to be a fly on the wall for most positions. Talk to your guidance counselors, family friends, and try to find people in different fields and reach out to them. Offer to buy them coffee/lunch and ask if you can just watch them in a day of work or chat about what their day to day actually looks like. I wish this was a mandatory thing for every high schooler because seeing what a job actually looks like can be very very eye opening. Hopefully one field will pull you closer than others so you're not stuck.
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Tamasyn’s Answer

Hi Angelina, this could serious,y be me asking this question, I love all these things. I have got qualifications in writing, Performing Arts and skincare. My passions are arts, psychology and music. What I see here is a talent or a CURIOUSITY for creating and understanding lif, I bet philosophy is on your list too! Psychology, art, music, drama - these are all understanding what it is to be human. I believe your passion may well be people, creating and curiousity. Do you watch Dr Pimple Popper? There is a psychological link between enjoying pimple popping and psychology. I think you are searching. Here is my thoughts:


1) I would do a psychology and philosophy co-joint, even just for one year. You won’t regret it I don’t believe.

2) Read heaps! Steven King ‘On writing’ etc. Many great writers have published books on how to write etc. Also, do short courses on some of these things.

3) Most arts eg: drama, writing, music can be self taught, learnt through tutors or learnt through reading and research.

4) If you did do courses for writing for example, some mediums of writing allow for music, dance and drama too eg: writing musicals or films or theatre.


Mostly, explore. At 35 I’ve changed careers three times and I will do again. I’m thinking of studying psychology soon. Life is long, there is time. Choose one, you can change, you can do many, you can have six five year careers all different. Life is to be explored, enjoyed and to learn. Keep learning! And keep in mind perhaps the passion i isn’t different careers, perhaps is creativity, curiousity and learning itself that you love . Lastly, consider a gap year and travel, it will give you perspective.


Bon Courage.
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