Advice

On losing your illusion

Speaking of losing your sense of direction in life, what’s your advice for a 20-something in those shoes?

I’m a successful, extremely fortunate junior in one of the best schools in the country, and I’m hitting rock fucking bottom. I can’t get out of bed, let alone maintain my academic/professional drive. I have no idea what I want, and no idea how to figure it out.

CT, I’ve begged your help before without answer. No complaints, but this is a biggie. How do I get myself back on track?

You’re not hitting rock bottom. You’re just scared. You’ve only got one more year of formal education before some ivory tower shits you out into the real world, and you’re petrified at what everyone around you says it’s like these days.

You’ve swallowed all the doom and gloom without even chewing, and you’re using it to justify a minor pre-life existential crisis.

You fucking crybaby. Get your ass out of bed, take a hot shower, and show up for class, because nobody cares what you want. Nobody gives a good goddamn if you ever figure it out.

Get laid, get your degree, and then get out there and get on with your life. Along the way, you’d better get used to not having answers to life’s big questions, because there aren’t any. There is no track for you to get back on. Never was.

While you’re at it, take whatever stick you’re using to measure your success and break it over your knee. That kind of success is a mirage on the horizon that will ruin your ability to find happiness in the present moment. It’s an illusion, but one you’re terrified of letting go.

You haven’t lost your sense of direction in life any more than that heartbroken high-schooler. You’ve just lost your motivation in college because you’re paralyzed with fear of the real world.

Thing is, there’s nothing to be afraid of. Just let go of the illusion of your success.

Let it go, dude.

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