We've all been there! It can be scary to find yourself lost, but there are somethings you can do to chart your way to where you want to be. Figuring this stuff out is like trying to eat an elephant. Big, scary, and daunting... but you just have to find a place to bite and chow down. I'm a list girl, so I'd recommend starting with one of those. It's a good way to conceptualize your confusion and start breaking it down.
The way I see it, there are four general things that go into a life plan: skills, resources, interests, and goals. Skills are the things that you are good at, that you can offer to the world. This could include education, experience, training, certifications and the like. Resources are things and people that are available to you to help you get what you want. References, contacts, saved money, transport, shelter, and the like. Interests are the activities that are going to help motivate you in your search, and decide what it is you want to do with your life. Hobbies, career areas, professions, relationships, and so forth. Finally, you have goals. These are the things you want and hope to get out of getting your life on track. Do you want a car, a spouse, to transition, or to have a home? All goals.
Once you have an honest, exhaustive, and well considered list of skills, resources, interests, and goals; it's time to see how they start interacting. How can you leverage your skills and resources to reach your goals or appeal to your interests? Can you sacrifice some of your interests for your goals? Will some of your resources be depleted by pursing your goals or interests? How do you prioritize your goals? Answering these questions can give you a much clearer plan for your life.
None of these lists will ever be immutable. You can always expand your skill set or resource pool by seeking out education, new contacts, new training, and the like. Your interests will change and grow over time, and everyone needs new goals as they grow. Maybe a new skill set will lead to new interests? Maybe one of your goals will change, and that will open up a new pool of resources?
Knowing yourself in this way won't solve all your problems. It's a rough world, and sometimes you can't leverage your skills properly or pursue your interests in the way you envision. You can't predict everything, but you can gain a lot of power by knowing who you are and what you want out of life. I may not like most of what the Boy Scouts stand for, but I can get behind their "always be prepared" motto.
Hugs,
Tamika
