Upfront and honest, pffft, yeah right Options

[Naomitron]

My whole life I've been a good kid. All who know me can testify to that. The thing is, I'm 19. I've always had a plan for what I was going to do in life and for the first time, I don't. Everything's been so f**ked up the last couple years and now I see an opportunity that I didn't completely explore when it was first presented to me (at the age of 15). I'm seriously considering go down this path, but it's such a departure from what my family is used to, I don't think they'll approve. I'm mostly concerned about my father. I've been hiding this from him for a long time now. If I take this chance, a lot of things in my life will change. I'll no longer have insurance (which I've had under my father's policy), no more military benefits, and I may have to start paying back my student loans early.

If I do take this chance, I might finally be able to start moving forward in life. I'm not quite sure what to do. I've been thinking it over for the past few months, but now that the fall semester has ended and winter break is upon me, I know that it's now or never to make the decision.

If it were you, taking into account what I've just said, would you follow the path that you and your family have laid out for you, or would you play your wild card and take this new opportunity that's suddenly at your door?

[elaboratedream]

it would really depend on what this opportunity was....

but in general, I'd say if its what you want to do, do it.

its your life. you only get one chance. do whatever it is you feel inclined to do.

having said that, i'd also suggest you be careful. because, like i said, you only get one chance.
and make sure its really what you want to do.

idk. its hard to give advice when i dont know what you're thinking of doing.... want to enlighten me?

[Naomitron]

Yeah, sorry about that.

For the longest time I've known I was going to be a psychologist - no ifs, and, or buts. I've always had an strong interest in massage therapy, but in the beginning there weren't any options for me to take classes, seeing as there were no classes where I was.

But now there are classes for it, and I've lost all passion for pursuing a career in psychology. In fact, I'd like to further pursue massage therapy...

[xTINAA]

I think that if in the end you'll be more satisfied with the way you're living your life, then go for it. Maybe you should talk with your family first and tell them what you've told us. It's hard to go against what our parents want and have planned out for us to do but sometimes we have to. We have to make our own paths and I'm sure your parents will understand and while they won't like it, they'll have to accept it. I know that there are a lot of bad things that'll happen like paying your student loans early but I think it would be worth it if in the end you're doing what you want. Just make sure you really want this because I don't think you'll be able to go back.

[unconfirmed_exis...]

This reminds me of the song break-away
(by kelly clarkson I believe?)..
I personally like the song and find it inspiring.

I've been told by my school Librarian the several attempts
he'd made earlier in life trying to take a career in business
because of the money one could make from it..

Though a test he took earlier confirmed the fact
the best job for him was being a librarian he ignored
it and gave it a try when he was around his late 30's.
And he's pretty much happy with his current job,
(>.> a bit too happy sometimes..)
and tells me he doesn't regret putting down his business career..

If you feel massage therapy is what you would perfer doing,
go for it. Like M1SSxCHR1SSY said, it's best to be
"satisfied with the way you're living your life"
I hope things go well for you as it did our school's librarian.
But then again I don't think he mentioned any family issues involved..

[tokyo-rose]

If massage therapy is what makes you happy, you should go for it. There are two parts of taking a risk: being okay and ending up happy, or falling completely. I know the latter might sound scary because you won't have the safety that you're used to now, but if you like massage therapy that much more than psychology then you should give up what isn't satisfying you. Follow your heart and all that jazz. Perhaps at first your family won't agree with your choice at first, but it's more important to be happy with yourself than to make others happy. You don't have to be such a good kid that you end up crushing your own hopes, because that's just not fair to you.

[DORKalicious]

just do what makes you happy.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

If it were you, taking into account what I've just said, would you follow the path that you and your family have laid out for you, or would you play your wild card and take this new opportunity that's suddenly at your door?

You probably know how I will answer, based on what you know of me but I'll say it anyway. Play that wild card, honey. Don't live in the shadow of your family's tradition. It just isn't what will will ultimately make you happy. Even if that opportunity doesn't pan out, it beats the hell out of wondering what would have been.

On a personal level, had I not played my wild card and gone down the more easy, less problematic path, I wouldn't have the most amazing, most loving child, despite his disability.

Things have an odd way of working out sometimes.

[*Uronacid*]

What the heck, if you want to do it then go do it!

You are 19 years old, and it's your life. You should peruse your dreams, but make sure you research your decision before you make it. Don't be a fool. This is a big choice, and going into blindly could be a huge mistake.