How come most people go through life not knowing what they really want?

Answer 1

Because to know what you want you have to know yourself. It's too scary for some people to:

1. Really admit who they are and know themselves. It's easier to cover up the true you.
2. Really want something and not have it or achieve it. You can't fail if you don't try.

Answer 2

Many times people get stuck in a certain life style, or life cycle, and ignore that inner voice that tells them, you are not really happy here, and you need to do something else, and in the fear that comes with quitting something, or changing something, and the consequences of those changes, people choose comfort and safety instead. I personally have tried to overcome that nature, and I should have graduated a long time ago for example, but havent because I kept changing schools and majors, because I dont want to stay on a dull track that I wont bring me long term happiness just because everyone expects me to stay at the same school and just get my degree and be done with it. I will not graduate now for another 2 years, (I should have graduated in 2004) but I will be getting a degree in something that makes me really happy, and I am very happy in my current school. Just an example. This applies to all kinds of other areas in life though. And people are so obsessed with the idea of not quitting something they have started, but a lot of times you need to if the end of that project, or idea, or other endeavor is leading nowhere, and you just can't waste your time. You have to make moves, takes risks, be willing to change based on what your heart tells you, and combine that with the sensibility, education, and skills needed to carry you strongly into that endeavor. But I think a lot of people deep down know what they want, but they choose comfort, safety, and security, and what others expect from them, over their passions and desires, and that is why people go through life seeming to not know what they want. Maybe they did know what they wanted at one time, but were afraid to make that move.

Answer 3

Some do, some don't, you might start off wanting something & then when you get it, you relise that wasn't really what you wanted in the first place. So you start again & again, sometimes there is a satisfaction in achiveing your goals. Other times, your left with a feeling of emptiness as it just means you have start again to find another. Are we really ever satisfied, guess it depends on what and how much we want out of life.

Answer 4

Good Q:

I think people are constantly second guessing themselves. I put the blame on that square on the media & advertisers.

Every where we go we are bombarded by ads for products & services that are supposed to make us better looking, more popular, thinner, sexies, smarter, taller, more socially accepted.... etc.

It's non stop... in our cars, on tv, on the web, even text messaged to our phones now.... it's a constant blast of targeted hypnosis aiming straight for what we percieve to be our inadequacies.

Sorry to rant, but you hit a sore spot with me...

I know what I want... a happy, well adjusted, healthy family... and i'm there!

Answer 5

There are so many choices out there. Personally..I find it hard also trying to pinpoint what I want to do.
I have worked in temp agencies, big hotels, many jobs since I was
16. I like trying different things and sometimes wish I could do it all.
I still haven't tried skydiving(saving up for it)
but if I like it enough..I think that would be a cool job. I always wanted to travel so that would provide both.LOL

Maybe some people think it is lazy..or undecisive.Maybe true..dunno.
But, I like sooooo may things..blk& wht photography, painting, cosmetics, jobs that I've had that are outside(love looking @ the clouds gray or white..tiz all beautiful)
When I worked in hotels..I really enjoyed meeting people from all over the world.I wish I would have followed through and went to work on a cruise ship so I could have travelled.
Right now I have been dabbling & looking into the acting biz.
Just for kicks & extra $$.I don't have a lot of time to give so I find "extra" parts in local area.
I have been thinking about kickboxing alot (to lose the handles..yuh know = D)
That might be my next thANg'..lol
maybe if I shape up enough for it I could teach it !

Maybe alot of people do know what they want but, are afraid of losing something else ..so they stay stuck. My friend is just now figuring out she doesn't want to be a lawyer..but she feels stuck
because (of course) all the $$ her parents spent to help her..all the yrs of extra jobs she did to help herself to pay for classes..she graduated top 3 in her class...she wrked hard many, many years so she feels like it is a total waste to quit...but now she is miserable.
Alot of fears also kept me from making moves to things I enjoyed but now I feel kind of stuck..but it is because I have to grow up and take care of my responsibilities(but I do love my "lil" responsibilities..= ) ). I think alot of PPL want to just get up and really do what they want to do..but
I guess that is what growing up is all about..making choices..realizing you CAN'T have everything you want..
putting aside selfishness & picking and choosing your battles.

Answer 6

When it comes down to it people are basically afraid to ask themselves what it is that they truly want. They are afraid of the answer because they are to busy living on the planet of "should". I should be making this amount of money, I should be living up to others expectations of me etc..People need to realize that this is all an illusion and let it go and do their best to get to the core of their being and listen to their inner voice, it's your compass and will never steer you wrong.

Answer 7

as we go through life, we are forever living and learning through experience, and as we experience more, we see there's more out there. i know i want so much of everything but there's a limit what we can attain, and because we are not immortal we have to make choices, but we question those choices and question and therefore, never knowing what we really want.

Answer 8

Life is like a one-way road which you have no choice to go back except to go forward...especially after you get what you want.

Answer 9

High expectations, too many choices, not enough direction and guidance.......the idea that there is always something better than there is.....

I know what I want I just believe it doesn't exist

Answer 10

Great question.
They are to busy to stop and listen and take a real look around.
They lack the ears to hear and eyes to see.