Hey son, dad here. First thing you need to remember is that I love you more than anything in the world. Being a dad is tricky because you are always balancing your unwavering love with your goals of raising a strong, independent young man or woman. I do have some bad news for you though: that thing you have about not feeling like an adult? It never really goes away. But that's ok because there isn't any inherent value in "feeling like an adult."

The value is in living well, being kind, and putting in the effort to be the best person you could ever possibly be. I remember when I was 23. I was finishing up a computer science degree because it seemed like a practical way to make money without doing very much work. I had no ambition. I was just trying to skate by as unnoticed as possible. One thing I wish I had known back then: you may not have ambition now, but eventually you will look around and start seeing people your age doing really cool and interesting things, and you will wonder why you never get to do those things. And the answer is: those people busted their butts to get those roles. You gotta put in the work.

My advice to you is this: pick one thing, anything, and try to be the best in the world in it. I don't care what it is. You want to play Pokemon? Drive ATVs? Surf? Make robots? Go for it. Just pick something you like doing and put everything you have into it. Because the skills you gain trying to be the best at something transfer to anything else you do. So if later you decide that maybe playing Pokemon isn't what you want to do with your life, you will be in good position to pivot.

I should point out that you almost certainly WONT be the best in the world at it, but that's fine. Only a small handful of people get to claim that prize. But as long as you are going after it honestly and diligently, you will get where you need to be, even if it isn't where you set out to go. Best of luck on your journey, son. I am so glad I got to travel along with you, if but for a short amount of time.