It’s Okay to Not Always Have It Figured Out

It’s okay to not always have it all figured out.

This is something I’ve had to teach myself. To be okay with and something I’ve had to remind myself of daily over the last several years. I label myself as a perfectionist, a planner and someone who holds herself to very high standards. Learning to be okay with this statement has had its challenges.

As much as we shouldn’t, we compare our lives to the people around us, and wonder how they make it look so easy. The career, the family, the lifestyle, everything, which is something I can admit to being guilty of. I have had to learn to accept that it’s okay to not always have it figured out. So when life throws a curveball, it can sometimes feel like you’ve struck out, when really you’ve hit a homerun. (Cheesy, I know.)

A little back story…

Growing up, I always had this picture painted in my mind that straight out of high school I would go right into University, finish with a degree, find my forever career job, and find the right person to settle down with and start a family. Obviously, this isn’t how life works, and that’s not exactly how my life has played out.

I didn’t go to university straight out of high school as planned. Instead, I took 2.5 years to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. This 2.5-year gap really started to take a toll on me both mentally and emotionally. I was losing friends, I had become depressed, and had zero motivation to do anything. It was during this time that I felt like I was failing at life because I hadn’t done any of the things that I had so vividly painted out for myself. To put it simply, I felt like I had struck out. Eventually, time went on and I found things that helped me out of this so-called “rut” I was in.

I was around 20 at the time when I began to learn that it’s okay to not always have it figured out. I began to understand and respect that everyone has their own story, and to stop comparing my progress to theirs. Some people go to university, while others go to college. Some people start post-secondary education at 18, others start at 20. I had to learn that this was okay and everyone’s life doesn’t always play out the same way.

I went to college and graduated with a degree in public relations, a post-graduate certificate in event management, and became a certified wedding planner. Upon graduating, I had fully believed I would find a job in my field instantly. That’s not how it’s happened for me, and I’m still struggling to find any job in my field, let alone my dream job.

Still figuring it out…

While I may not always feel like I’ve hit that home run yet, I know I haven’t struck out. I’ve worked jobs that have helped me find what I’m truly looking for in a career. I have found “my lobster” (as Phoebe from FRIENDS would say), who I’m excited to do life with. I’ve got supportive friends that help keep me positive, and a family who have stood by me through it all.

When plans don’t always work out, sometimes they turn out to be in your best interest and a lesson learned. If I hadn’t waited those 2.5 years to choose the direction I wanted to take with my life, I wouldn’t have met the lifelong friends I made in my classes; or figured out exactly what I want for a career. By reminding myself that it’s okay to not always have it figured out, I am able to stay grounded and honest with myself. This helps me to focus on what I need to do in my life to keep being successful and happy.

I wanted to share my story with the readers of Pretty & Smart Co. in the hopes that it is relatable in one way or another. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new mom, starting university or college, entering the job market, or at a different stage of your life. If you feel like you’re struggling, this is your reminder that it’s okay to not always have it figured out… And your homerun is right around the corner! 😉

For more lifestyle & wellness content check out Taylor’s post on how to Rediscover your Passions, Post Baby