Turning 25 and feeling unprepared for future

[Yvaine]

Hi all,

I've recently turned 25 and just gotten out of a toxic job that really exacerbated by severe anxiety to the point that I'd gone on medication.

Now working full time, recently turned 25 and feel like I'm still 18/19 and time is always running out on me, like I'm always trying to catch-up on adulting yet feel like I'm no longer young. Get nostalgic and depressed when I think about the "better" times.

Can anyone relate/share their journey/experience?

Much love to all,

Yvaine

[pinwheel23]

Hi Yvaine 🙂

It's great to hear that you were able to get out of your toxic job and find another. Congrats!

Thank you for starting this thread. I can relate to growing up pretty sheltered and now trying to catch up on adulting. I also don't have my license yet - felt very anxious about driving when I first got my learners permit. Something I'm hoping to overcome over the next year.

Like Geoff said, it's good to remind yourself that there aren't particular ages that we have to achieve things (despite what society may say). I think doing what's most comfortable for your emotional, mental and physical health and going at your own pace is great.

I'd also like to second Tim - there are a lot of different routes to achieving your dreams and it'd be great to hear your thoughts.

Looking forward to hearing more from you and how you're going 🙂

- Pinwheel23

[Yvaine]

Aw! I'm so glad to have helped in some way? 🙂 We're all in this together hey!

Late blooming adult coming through!

All the advice and insight here has been so amazing and I am so so grateful

[pinwheel23]

"Late blooming adult coming through!" - I love that!!

We'll get through and slowly feel more and more prepared for the future as time passes - one step at a time 🙂

How have you been feeling over the past few days Yvaine?

x pinwheel23

[Xavi]

Hi Yvain

I can really relate to this , And I can tell you with certainty that you are not alone ! I started an apprenticeship at 25 and thought I was too old but I came to realize that this is just nonsense my anxiety kept feeding my brain. Your not alone ! everyone is different I call myself a late boomer almost everyday lol but I always remind myself that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. The false sense of being on the clock . I remind myself that if there is something you want to achieve in life its never too late to do so! I thought this was just a saying but its the truth.

[Pip20]

Hi Yvaine,

I am a little older (OK about 15 years older) and I still have days when I wonder when I will start "adulting". There really is no such thing, I have come to realise this and embrace it, I am who I am (an anxious mess some days, a rational professional on other days)

There are so many expectations that we think we are meant to achieve - , buy a house, have a family, get your drivers licence, get a good job etc. These put a lot of pressure on people of all ages, especially younger people, because you put more pressure on yourselves than we ever did.

I bought my first house 2 years ago, at the ripe old age of 48. A friend of mine has had her learners permit to drive for 30 years, and wow can she navigate the public transport system, it's incredible, she decided she didn't need a car, so it took the pressure off her to get her licence.

As for your creative side..... this is the future, creativeness, film making, 3D, animations etc. Please don't let anyone tell you that this is not a good path to take, it is the future of our jobs and if you feel naturally drawn it to, maybe consider looking into it - it changed my life (I'm still an anxious mess - but now I sit with my noise cancelling headset on and work making things come to life)

I recently changed careers (mostly due to that horrid year that is 2020) I am now working from home, creating 3D animation interactive video for corporate workplaces and my clients love it, I am creating their workplaces as walk through 3D worlds.

I have always loved this type of work, but I have been too scared to test my skills, it all looked very hard, and I kept doubting myself and my capabilities, but I stuck with online tutorials on how to use the software and create this material.

I love it, and I have a lot more freedom, I still have days when my anxiety hits (that is what my noise cancelling headset is for - I play soft music and the world around me disappears and I start creating.)

Lastly, I am so happy for you for getting out of a toxic job, and for recognizing the need to do this yourself and to focus on your well-being.

Best of luck - Pip20 🙂

[Yvaine]

Hi all,

Super late update but finally found my direction! Studying to become a counselor! ☺️

Thank you all so much for your encouragement!

[geoff]

Hello Yvaine, someone who has experienced what they decide to become and in your case a counsellor after suffering from anxiety and depression always seems to be ideal for this new occupation, even if it's still lingering on, you tend to learn from your own experience and that makes someone a more caring and understanding person who is able to help other people.

What I used to do was ask any psychologist/psychiatrist I visited whether or not they have struggled with any type of depression themselves, if they hadn't, then I'd only have one visit or at times I'd walkout, only because a book can teach people, but what it doesn't do, is give the person any experience that differs from what the book says, that's why going through it themselves means so much.

Congratulations and please keep us in touch.

Geoff.