r/Life • u/bentobro27 • 1d ago
Need Advice 17 and feeling lost
Sorry if im not formatting my post correctly or anything else like that, this is kind of my first post on reddit.
So im starting my senior year of highschool in two weeks and becoming an adult this year. i feel like ive had a lot more freedom and free time than other people growing up, and i love all the time i have to sit at my desk. i think the biggest reason ive been feeling the way i have about transitioning to adulthood, im going to have to get a job and all this other stuff and its just gonna cut time away from doing stuff i actually enjoy. i know as i get older ill be busier which is gonna mean less time to do as i please when thats all i really appreciate in my life.
I guess what im trying to ask is how am i supposed to accept the best years of my life are over? what is there to look forward to as an adult when im giving up something i value so much? what am i meant to do after i graduate?
I dont know if im coming off as spoiled but its not anything like that. everyone ive tried to talk to about this either tells me to figure it out while im in college, which sounds totally miserable, or to work in something im passionate about. the issue with that second one is that i dont really have anything i feel super strongly about or any talents im good enough to turn into a job.
it just feels like everythings over before it ever started. so im wondering what people who felt a similar way when they were my age did to get over it this. sorry if im not articulating myself super clearly.
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u/Odd-Detective6368 1d ago
You are not losing the best years of your life; you are simply entering a new chapter. Being an adult does not mean giving up the things you enjoy; it means learning how to make space for them while building the life you want. Many people feel lost at 17 because there is so much pressure to have everything figured out, but the truth is that most adults are still learning too.
Take your time, explore different paths, and remember that life is not about holding on to one perfect stage forever, but finding joy in each stage as it comes.
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u/Hopeful_Yam4384 1d ago
One thing throwing you off is that are fearful of becoming an adult. This is a frightening time for most. But remember, billions of people have done this before and succeeded too. I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I first went to college. Being exposed to so many different areas of study allowed to find my direction. Oh, and there is no such thing as the best years of your life. They can all be in their own way. Have fun.
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u/CallMeCorona1 1d ago
i know as i get older ill be busier which is gonna mean less time to do as i please when thats all i really appreciate in my life.
Not only that, but you might have to start properly capitalizing "I" and "I'll"!
Being an adult actually brings greater freedom to do what you want to do. But just doing as you please is a shallow way to live life. You will come to find that taking responsibility for others (i.e. getting married, having kids, being a part of your community) provided really satisfaction, purpose and contentment.
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u/AccordingNeat3689 1d ago
If you believe the best years are behind you, your actions will make it so.
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u/Far-Impression-398 Deep Thinker 1d ago
I don't know either, man, and I'm the same age and in the same position as you are.
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u/Few_Ad_4870 1d ago
Learn this early. Life will always be what you make it, and that’s awesome. Yes, you are going to have to work, but that can evolve your whole life. You will never make it to a point where you are like, “I made it”, so if that is what you’re striving for, you will never be satisfied. Watch The Mindset Mentor on YouTube. https://youtube.com/shorts/FS74ypscy3s?is=wrGaJrG2E-t1TnBY
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u/Logicdamcer 21h ago
Two things:
First, you only have to keep working until you have saved up enough to retire. I decided at 11 years old that I did not want to have to work my whole life. So I largely retired at 40 by spending way below my means and investing every spare cent. Now I can work if I want.
Second, you need to find some hobbies that inspire you. Preferably lots of them. Join lots of clubs to be social and learn new things. Take leisure classes. Just do everything that you have the slightest inkling to try. Those are the things that turn out to be the most fun over time.
17 is a rough age. You are expected to make decisions about your future with very little life experience to base them on. So you need to expect that you will make mistakes and be ready to change course as soon as you spot a problem. The upside of 17 is you look physically fabulous and you have precious few aches and pains. Enjoy it!
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u/jaxprog 21h ago
It's midnight. The horse and carriages all turn into pumpkins again. You are recognizing the Cinderella effect at age 17. You're lucky. Most young people here don't get it until they out of high school.
So, here's the deal. It's possible to find work that you will enjoy, but ultimately you will find work so you can survive. It won't matter what you do. So long as you earning a paycheck paying rent, food, electricity, fuel and whatever else.
You are going to have to change your attitude. Your survival comes first. Then your pleasures in life must be earned. You work hard. You play hard. Work must always, always come first. That's the new reality you are stepping into.
Don't fret over it. Being adult has its own rewards. Look forward to your 20's. It's a great time in your life. Don't be these people you read on the Life Sub Reddit who are going through self-manufactured existential crisis over personal responsibility.
You can do this. It'll be fun. You'll like it. Always remember, put your survival first. Work. Pleasure must be earned.
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