How should I proceed in life?

Hi Hayden, 

It sounds like you are at a crossroads with your studies at the moment. It sounds like you are almost done with a degree and have realized that it is not something that you are passionate about.  This can be a very tricky place to navigate.

On one hand there is the option of potentially stopping your studies and going in a different direction or even stopping your studies altogether and trying to get a job to support yourself while you pursue the areas that interest you. On the other hand there is the option of finishing your studies and working in the field that you get your degree in until you are later able to pursue the things that really make you happy.

You also mentioned that a big part of this challenge is that your family provides your financial support (and may have had a hand in deciding what you wanted to study as well). What would happen if you approached your family and opened a conversation with them about the doubts you are having about your field of study? As you mentioned, you don't know how they would react and that's a great point. Until you speak with them directly, this will remain an unknown.

Perhaps talking to your family about changing directions is simply not possible. Perhaps you live in a place where culturally that would not be an acceptable conversation and this is something that you are trying to come to terms with on your own. Whether that is the case or not, there are several things that you can try to help yourself gain a bit more perspective on the current situation you are facing.

One tool that is often helpful when we are faced with a situation and are deciding on the right course of action is to make a pro/con list. To do this take a piece of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the left had side title the column "Pro" on the right hand side title the column "Con". Then each thing that you can think of that is a reason to do the thing goes in the pro side and each things that is a reason not to do it goes in the con side. For example, a Pro/Con list for "Stay in school and finish my degree" might include "Make my family happy", and "Finish the degree that I started" in the pro side while the Con side may include "I no longer feel passionate about this field of study". Making a pro/con list for each option and then comparing them to one another can help to gain perspective about both sides of the argument.

If you do end up staying and finishing your degree try to incorporate other ways that you can honor your interests into your life. Perhaps you could volunteer for organizations that share your vision about the areas that you are passionate about or even connect with people with similar interests online. 

The truth is that you and only you can decide what is ultimately the right decision for you as you are the one who is living your life.  You understand all the intricacies that will go into the decision and the potential effects that the decision will have on you and your connection with your family.

No matter what you ultimately decide, remember that it does not mean that the rest of your life is locked in. You will have many opportunities to change the path that your life is on throughout your life.