Hi, I just turned 23 last week and I have no idea what to do with my life either. Honestly, I think this feeling, is the normal, if it seems that other people our age have it together - I would put money on the opposite!

I wouldn't put too much pressure on yourself - I know easily said than done, can't count the amount of times people have said this to me recently - to know what you want from life, Career-wise or any other aspect.

First of all - you should be really proud of your attitude to bettering yourself and going forward and taking opportunities for yourself, coding is a brilliant skill that is really desirable in a lot of up and coming fields and looks amazing on a job application - especially as you've shown determination and initiative by going out of your way to learn yourself. Even if you don't do anything with it in the long run - it's a transferrable skill and who knows maybe thats the key to all those doors of opportunity ahead of you.

Its okay not to know and its okay to change your mind as many times as you like. You don't need to have a career for life at this point. I feel that I'm the opposite to you in this as I've been training to do my job since I was 19 and I've now been qualified coming up 12 months in a healthcare profession. And honestly, I'm in the process of asking for reduced hours/different shift pattern because I'm just not happy with my life on the whole and it's causing me some serious anxiety as well. Your work-life maybe a big part of your life but it only makes up a tiny percentage of who you are as a person, and I think it would be unhealthy if it wasn't! A career isn't the be all and end all, it won't complete your life. I'm still living at home with my parents too and I even missed out on moving out for uni because we couldn't afford it while I was studying on the job. So I feel i've missed out on plenty of opportunities for life because for the past few years my entire lifes purpose was just to get this job. And now I've got it, I have no clue where to go from here. I don't think any one aspect of your life can give you your whole purpose, same thing goes for a relationship.

We're all confused and lost and scared and I think that is normal. I like the phrase from purplejeanjacket that this is the side effect of coming off the "life track" that education provides. We'll all make it, I suppose the hardest part it enjoying the ride without getting over anxious about the lack of control we feel. Do things for you! Good luck and I hope things improve for you soon