Stuck between two worlds…

What worlds?

I am at a stage in my life where I feel like I should have a clear path chosen by now. But lately, I’ve been feeling a little lost. This year, I started my college education in Civil Engineering, which wasn’t my first choice. Still, I decided to go for it anyway. Overall, the college experience hasn’t been bad, but it’s made me reflect on my priorities and what I truly want out of life. One thing I’ve realized is that I really love traveling and exploring new cultures and countries.

Why Traveling?

When I was little, I loved traveling with my parents or grandparents, though I didn’t see the deeper value in it at the time. But since I started traveling on my own and paying for it with my own money, I’ve come to appreciate every single experience much more. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve grown older or because I’m investing my own resources, but either way, it feels much more meaningful now.

Additionally, I believe that once you graduate and land a full-time job, it becomes harder to find the time to truly explore the world and have the freedom to “mess around.” I’ve always thought of your twenties as a time for trial and error—an opportunity to explore, make mistakes, and discover yourself before settling into adult life. That’s why I don’t want to miss out on the chance to travel, embrace my freedom, and experience life in its rawest form.

Why a Career?

Since my early years in high school, I’ve had a strong drive to achieve more. I’ve never wanted to settle for “average.” My parents encouraged me to push myself, which complemented the lessons I learned through football. Football taught me discipline and hard work; my teammates, coaches, and opponents constantly pushed me to improve. These experiences shaped my mindset and ignited my desire for a successful career.

On top of that, the college I’m attending offers excellent career prospects and the potential for a good income in the future. A successful career is something I’ve always dreamed of, so my ambition in this area is strong. But the question remains—does it mean more to me than the idea of traveling and enjoying my youth?

Which Way Am I Leaning towards?

Recently, I’ve realized how much traveling means to me. While building a career is a lifelong journey, I’m starting to believe that taking one year off to enjoy my youth, travel, and explore wouldn’t harm my long-term goals. In fact, it might do the opposite. Many people who’ve taken a gap year say it helped them understand themselves, their priorities, and what life is really about.

To me, it feels like this could be a chance to grow and learn in ways I might not get later in life. For now, I’m leaning toward the idea of traveling—at least for a little while—before diving headfirst into building my career.