Post Summary:

Trying to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life can feel overwhelming—especially while still in school, or even later in life after a major transition. This blog post is here to help you navigate what your true calling might be, without pressure or unrealistic expectations.

Introduction: Dream Life Over Dream Job

The first thing that probably comes to mind when you’re asked, “What are you going to do next?” is your next job. But I don’t really believe in “dream jobs” the way many people frame them.

Instead, I believe in having a dream life—one you actually want to live. Part of that life includes how you fund your living, how your work fits into your daily routine, and whether it fulfills you emotionally, mentally, and creatively.

Take a moment to journal or quietly ask yourself:

• What drains me vs. what energizes me?
• What would my ideal day look like (not a job title)?
• How do I want my work to fit into my life?

Your job should support your life, not define your entire existence.

The hours, the paycheck, and even the sense of security a job seems to offer aren’t what matter most. It’s the day-to-day activities, the people, and the atmosphere that will either fulfill you or leave you unfulfilled and miserable.

Whether you’re working a 9–5 or running your own business 24/7, if what you’re doing doesn’t feel aligned, you’re going to be unhappy.

So the real question becomes: how do you find the things that actually make you excited to wake up in the morning?

Start at the Beginning: Look Back at Your Childhood

One of the best places to start is by looking back at your childhood.

What did you love doing as a kid—something you could do over and over without getting tired of it? Is there a memory your mind keeps returning to that hints at a passion you had early on?

For me, I was independent and loved dressing myself for school and outings, staging countless photoshoots around my house, dancing, and making videos.

These little details—snippets of who you were before outside expectations and noise took over—are important. They can act as guides for how to move through life when you ever feel lost or unsure of your path.

Pay Attention to the Present, Too

Not everything you’re meant to do existed when you were a kid. Some passions are meant to be discovered later, and some interests you’ve developed more recently may feel deeply aligned with who you are now—even if they didn’t exist back then.

Ask yourself:

• What have you been drawn to over the past few years?
• What interests have you forgotten about or pushed aside?
• What hobbies or skills have you always wanted to explore but never made time for?

If not now, when? This is your sign to start making space for those interests and incorporating them into your dream life—even in small ways.

Use Quizzes as a Starting Point

If you’re struggling to identify interests from your past or present, I’m a big fan of quizzes. While they aren’t perfectly accurate, they can be helpful tools to point you in the right direction.

Here are a few great ones to start with:

• 16 Personalities: https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
• Futurescape: https://futurescape.asa.org/
• O*NET Interest Profiler: https://onetinterestprofiler.org/

Think of the quizzes results as a starting point, not a final answer.

Find Community

Once you’ve found an interest, seek out communities—online or in person—that align with it. Being around people who share your curiosity can deepen your understanding and open doors you didn’t know existed.

Some places to look:

• Social media (yes, but not only there)
• Third spaces
• Nonprofit organizations (online or in person)
• Libraries and community centers
• Conventions and pop-up events
• Social groups
• Blogs and online forums

I challenge you to look into joining any one of these communities for a passion you have and learn something knew about it in the next 30 days!

The opportunities you find might surprise you.

Building Discipline Without Forcing the Wrong Path

Remember, there’s more to reevaluating your life than simply not feeling like doing something. Avoidance and discomfort aren’t always signs to quit—but when something feels deeply misaligned with who you are or where you want to go, that’s worth paying attention to.

So to be clear, this journal entry isn’t a call to:

• Quit school tomorrow
• Monetize everything you enjoy
• Love every moment of your work

Instead, it’s about checking in with yourself. Look at your skills, your personality, and what feels natural to you. When you find something you might be good at, stick with it. Stay dedicated. Build discipline.

Sometimes we don’t love something at first because we’re struggling or just not that good at it yet. That’s normal. With time and practice, things get easier—and more fun.

Other times, some paths just aren’t meant to last forever. You’ll feel it when it’s time to let go, and following that feeling is part of trusting yourself.

Conclusion

Don’t rush into anything—you have time.

Life isn’t a straight path. There will be sharp turns and unexpected curves, but the choices you make in those quiet, reflective moments can change everything.

Keep that child-like wonder alive and dream big, like no one else’s opinions matter—because honestly, they don’t.

There are more possibilities out there than you probably realize, and there’s always room to create something new. Make your “dream job” something real, even if it doesn’t exist yet.

Your dream life is waiting.

For a detailed guide on how to achieve the life of your dreams in the next year, check out our previous blog post:

How to Set (& Actually Achieve) Your Goals for the New Year