why it’s okay to not have it all figured out

we’ve all heard the stories of people who seem to have their lives perfectly mapped out—straight-a students who land dream jobs, climb the ladder, and live happily ever after. but that’s not everyone’s story. and honestly, it’s not mine either.

when i resigned from my job to work on a project with friends, it felt like the right decision. i believed in what we were building and poured everything into it. but things didn’t go as planned, and the project didn’t take off. it’s tough to admit, but i found myself questioning everything—my decisions, my path, even my worth.

that moment taught me a powerful lesson: it’s okay to not have it all figured out. life doesn’t come with a guidebook or a single, clear path to success. and sometimes, stepping off the beaten track—even if it leads to uncertainty—is exactly what you need to grow.

here’s what i’ve learned along the way:

the messy middle is where you grow

life isn’t a straight line. the moments when you feel lost or unsure are often the ones that teach you the most. they force you to reflect, adapt, and dig deep to figure out what truly matters.

there’s no “right” timeline

we live in a world that loves milestones—graduate by this age, achieve this by that age. but everyone’s journey looks different. comparing yourself to someone else’s timeline will only make you miss the beauty of your own.

uncertainty opens doors

when you’re unsure of what’s next, you’re more open to possibilities you might not have considered otherwise. it’s scary, sure, but it’s also freeing. some of the best things in life come from moments when you have no plan and are willing to take a chance.

success can mean different things

for the longest time, i thought success meant building something big, something that would make people say, “wow, they’ve made it.” but now, i think success is about alignment—living in a way that feels true to who you are, even if it doesn’t fit society’s expectations.

you’re not alone

it’s easy to feel isolated when things aren’t going as planned. but the truth is, most people don’t have it all figured out—they’re just good at pretending. you’re not failing because you’re still figuring things out; you’re human.

i’m still learning to embrace the unknown, to trust that even if i don’t have a clear map, i’m still moving forward. it’s not always easy, but it’s also freeing.

so, if you’re in a place where the future feels uncertain, take a deep breath. you’re not stuck; you’re growing. you don’t need to have all the answers right now. it’s okay to take it one step at a time. after all, life isn’t about having it all figured out—it’s about figuring it out as you go.