Righto, life decisions...

[NarcoticHobo]

So I'm sitting here listening to music when I get this deep knot in my stomach, the kind that just needs to be figured out.

Anyway I'm thinking at it hits me that I'm simply not happy with where I am right now, and yes I mean physically (geographically, etc). I'm not depressed or anything, just not happy.

I got back from studying in China about 1 month ago and I miss it terribly. There is just this intense longing to be in other places around the world for me. It may sound bad but I wouldn't even miss most of the people close to me. This includes my family, friends, girlfriend, honestly everyone... I've always been a loner by nature I suppose, but still it worries me a little that I know I could easily leave these people behind.

This year I will be a sophemore in Furman University in SC, and for the first time in a long while I'm not quite sure what to do after school, or even if I should finish it. Thoughts of joining the peace corp or a similar organization have creeped back into my mind, along with thoughts of forgoing all of that and just hopping a plane to the best country I can get a visa in to try and gain citizenship.

Part of me wants to dive into the world and help all that I can, and the other half wants to continue the long road (education/career) and possibly help more over my lifetime. I'm at a loss for what to do.

Have any of you ever felt like this before? Like you just don't belong where you are and every part of you is begging to get out...

 

[Saint Nick]

I have had thoughts like that before. But the dilema is, if you have things going for you now, why not just run with it? Why venture into foreign territory and risk losing all of what you have now? Would it be worth it? No, really... would it REALLY be worth it?

I am sticking with what I want to do and so far its going the way I want it to... I'm not sure I could handle venturing off into some unknown sect of the world, doing things I never dreamed of doing before.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Originally posted by: jndietz
I have had thoughts like that before. But the dilema is, if you have things going for you now, why not just run with it? Why venture into foreign territory and risk losing all of what you have now? Would it be worth it? No, really... would it REALLY be worth it?

I am sticking with what I want to do and so far its going the way I want it to... I'm not sure I could handle venturing off into some unknown sect of the world, doing things I never dreamed of doing before.

That's just the thing, while I was in China I had little to no contact with anyone I had previously known except my girlfriend who came with me. But at the same time the most fun I had was adventuring off on my own. I met some cool chinese people at a nightclub and nearly everynight I ended up playing uno with a bunch of italians in our hotel.

It is the age old dilemma of whether to stick with what you have and never know what could have been or to risk it all and possibly lose the best thing you ever had.

 

[Saint Nick]

Personally, I would just stick with what you have going on now. I mean really, I wouldn't risk losing my education or my girlfriend or my family for anything. I really like what I have going for me. But... for you it may be different.

But, like I said, I'd just stick with it if I were you. What would you do if you decided to take on this "other life" elsewhere in the world and then it not work out as planned? Where would you go then?

 

[gopunk]

can't say i've ever had that desire actually... i've always been more of a get-filthy-rich-then-become-a-philantropist type myself.

i guess i'm a little confused though, you allude to wanting to help people, but then your reasons for leaving your current life all seem to be more fun oriented:

Part of me wants to dive into the world and help all that I can, and the other half wants to continue the long road (education/career) and possibly help more over my lifetime. I'm at a loss for what to do.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

You can always read about other places, http://www.m-why.com is a blog of Mark, who is a fellow AT'er that is traveling around the world

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Originally posted by: gopunk
can't say i've ever had that desire actually... i've always been more of a get-filthy-rich-then-become-a-philantropist type myself.

i guess i'm a little confused though, you allude to wanting to help people, but then your reasons for leaving your current life all seem to be more fun oriented:

Part of me wants to dive into the world and help all that I can, and the other half wants to continue the long road (education/career) and possibly help more over my lifetime. I'm at a loss for what to do.

It's a mix really, I think I could do a lot by leaving and helping, but I'm not going to try to hide the fact that a lot of it is also just because of the fun factor.

 

[Blazin Trav]

Get laid, then these 'anxieties' will go away.

 

[NarcoticHobo]

Originally posted by: Blazin Trav
Get laid, then these 'anxieties' will go away.

That is not the problem, as I mentioned I have a girlfriend and i'm in college, you do the math.

 

[huberm]

i had this same dillema at one point in my life.

Bit of wisdom from my dad: when you get older, you'll look back at this and say "man I'm glad I stuck it out". You're young, there will be plenty of opportunities in life to do the right thing, to venture to other parts of the world, etc. I would suggest you get your education out of the way first and focus on other life pursuits with the other 60 or so years of your life after college.

 

[Jeff7]

Like you just don't belong where you are and every part of you is begging to get out...

Heh, yeah. Most of my life, actually. I have yet to find a place I'm really drawn to.

Just carefully weigh your decisions. I didn't go to college right out of high school, and it's kind of hurt me. I didn't have any sense of motivation or direction, so I didn't have the drive to get myself into college. I had 5 years to forget damn near everything I learned. Calculus in college was hell, even though I'd taken it already in 12th grade. I'd forgotten basic algebra, geometry, and trig. I did make it through though. Still, I face the prospect of being in college at least until I'm 27. Just seems a bit odd right now, mingling with 18yr-olds. 5-year age gap.

What I'm saying is - decisions now might have negative effects down the road. If you're already in college, and it might provide you with a stable career, stay at it. And even if it doesn't quite turn out perfect, you will have college credits to your name, which can help you out in the future.

 

[AnthroAndStargate]

Do what you think is right (for you and the world) and makes you happy.

Help others, help yourself, gooo for it!

/thread

 

[DVad3r]

yhpm

 

[quakefiend420]

i'm feeling the same way right now, and i'm moving to a different city in a couple weeks...i just up and decided to go for it...you only live once, you know?

plus, i need to get away from wht i've gotten myself into here...maybe i'll create a thread and elaborate once i get everything settled...