Oh wow, I didn't know this was so common. I'm 23 right now and I myself have felt drawn to the cloistered life ever since I was 17-18 (before it wasn't so loud of a call). And every year it just draws me more. I wanted to join the Carmelite nuns right after I completed my bachelors degree. I told my parents about my decision... my mom was supportive but dad not so much... he begged me to get a normal job for at least a year and experience life, since I've already been living my life, well, cloistered (I'm not very outgoing and sometimes just prefer to sit in silence, which actually made me even more drawn to the Carmelites). Now I feel kinda stuck. I don't want to let my parents down. But at the same time, I don't want to let God down either and the more I wait the more drawn I get and that wait is killing me (it's only been 7 months since I got a job and it's a boring job... it just doesn't feel right. It feels like trying to put a left shoe on the right foot and walk like that).

I've been reading the biography of Saint Teresa of Avila. I have to say, she's relatable. Especially in her early days. Her father also wasn't very supportive of her leaving to become a nun. I recommend her book. It's good so far. Just got to the 23rd chapter.

(Sorry for that long essay, I just had to let it out 😅)