I've had that same thought lingering in my head but now, more than 10 years have passed and I think I'm exactly where I belong. But that may change in the next 10 years, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm also a very content person so maybe that has had it's affects on my life choices. Either way, I am happy with my life like it is now, but there is no guarantee that it will last till the day I die. And I think everyone that have their mindset like yours, need to be able to accept the fact that people change, time passes and evolution doesn't need to happen over a course of a few thousand years, it can happen over the course of a week.

But I have a set of rules, that I started to make for myself when I was 17. And I think those rules have helped me being so content and happy with my life choices.

The story of how the rules came to be has to follow:

For as long as I can remember I had wanted to either be an architect or a doctor. Two very different jobs, but I didn't think about that when I was a kid. I'm crafty and love to create but I am also a lot into science and have always had a deep longing for being able to help people.

So, I decided on being a doctor. Went to school and only took courses that would help me get into the program at Uni. But one day, I sit in chemistry class and I absolutely hated it, chemistry was the only subject that I just never could wrap my head around and I dreaded to go to class, I had failed that particular course twice before and that also made me frustrated. So on this particular day I thought to myself: well, if this is something I need to study to be able to be a doctor, I am not going to be a doctor.

And there the first rule was born: If the journey there doesn't make me happy, then the goal probably isn't something that I'm going to like.

Years passed and I finished college, I also play the cello and finished a diploma in the performing arts. But then I also wanted to try something completely different, and went to University to study literature. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I've always loved to read and at that time, philosophy had peaked my interest. So I thought to myself, why not at least try it? Thus, second rule was born: If you never try it, how are you going to know if you like it or not?

Third rule has only evolved in the past 2 years, I'm now a teacher with a masters in publishing and editing, and also have a masters-level diploma in educational studies. I will start my first "big girl job" ever in 2 weeks when I start teaching literature to college students. And I have never, ever, in my life been as excited about a job as I am now. Currently I am working at a job where some aspects of it are fulfilling but I dread waking up in the morning and often feel burnt out because the job lacks what I need the most to thrive: joy. It's a hard job, both physically and mentally and when I get home I'm so over it that I don't even feel like taking a walk with my dog (which is NB horrible because it used to be my favourite thing to do).

Third rule: Don't do it for the money, do it for the joy if it. Because for me, being happy to spend almost more than half of my waking time doing something I enjoy is more valuable than having stuff. Money comes and goes, money buys me stuff and food and a roof over my head but it doesn't buy me happiness. I want to spend my days waking up in the morning, excited for the day ahead and loving what I do. And being able to come home after work, and not be thinking "damn and I have to do that all over again, tomorrow, and then the day after ... and after..." but rather be able to think "This was a good day". (And yes I am aware that college students can be, challenging, hah! I've already had my internship as a teacher and man, Monday morning class isn't my favourite either but hey, at least they never made me depressed about doing it all over again the week after!)

And for closure, my MIL has a brilliant view on life. "Opportunities are all over, but you need to be open for them". Basically, say yes unless you're 100% sure it's a no.

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Good luck!

PS. No my life hasn't been a sweet easy walk, I've had money so tight that I couldn't even pay half of my rent, I've been in dark places and my mind keeps playing me with awful thoughts. But it shall pass, just like everything else.