I want to do it all. Plain and simple.

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an overstatement. There are plenty of things I have no interest in doing, but more importantly, I think, are the things I do have an interest in doing. I've been told more than once, "You can't do it all" but I disagree. Maybe I won't be a master of all things, but I can definitely dip my fingers in all the colors of the rainbow.

Let me be clear, I totally see the value in focusing on one thing at a time. I've learned a lot about it over the last year with figuring out which creative stream I fit best in, but in the end I've determined I have no desire to limit my potential, or see you limit yours until you figure out what you enjoy best. I think we have all felt the pressure of having to know what I want to do now. And that quote, "you can't do it all" only lends to that feeling. I didn't, for a long time, feel the freedom to test the waters, to go long and far and realize that maybe that's not where I want to be. I mean, I did it anyways, but how much more successful would those explorations be with support along the way?

The truth is, everyone is going to have an opinion. Everybody is going to know what is best for you, but few are going to say, "I trust you. I believe in you. I will help guide you, now go"; I believe those are the people we need more of. People who see value in exploration. People who believe that we, as a younger generation, will thrive even if it looks different than they were expecting. In fact I would argue that a different path would be hugely beneficial for "us". But alas, change is scary. Especially when it concerns people you love. We can't fault them for wanting the best for us.

In retrospect I guess what I was looking for was permission. Permission to be unsure, while moving forward (because when I didn't have permission instead of continuing to move forward I would stop and become stagnant until I "knew"). So here it is. Pick a direction, a door, you have interest in and check it out. You have permission. You have permission to explore; permission to taste, to wander, to try new things, to try new jobs, to go to new countries, to read new books, to make new friends and most importantly to realize that whatever it is you try does not have to be "it". It's okay to get halfway down one road and realize the scenery isn't what you thought or hoped and take a left, just keep moving forward.

One of my biggest suggestions is for you to find a mentor. Find someone who inspires you and who is doing the things you want to do in life and ask to learn from them. Spend time with them, listen to them, let their advice and experience being stepping stones in your own journey -- be yourself, always but allow them to point out the mile markers ahead.

Hey, It's gunna be beautiful. I totally believe in you.

Go live your life.