Is 18 too young to know what you want out of life?

Question

I know what I want out of life. I know exactly what career Im going into. Is 18 too young to settle into a career and a family? All Ive ever really wanted is the job Im going into and a family. Any Input??

Answer 1

I trust you, I think you're right.
When people (of all ages) wonder what they really want in life, what they feel passionate about, they are often asked, "what did you enjoy doing as a child?" It's in our earlier years that we formed our preferences, developed a sense of taste and personal opinion. Transforming that into a fulfilling career (inc. series of jobs) is a challenge we often lose sight of.
I think due to your age you're 'closer to the source' than the average 18-year old may be aware of, and that clarity is the stuff happiness is made of :-)

Best wishes for your continued joy.

Answer 2

When you say "settle into a career" at 18 what are you implying? That you don't need a college education for this career? I can't imagine that any career (I define a career as a job that has potential for personal and professional growth after college) can be available to an 18 year old right out of high school without any type of higher education. I do believe that at 18 a person can decide what they want out of life and begin to pursue that path while they go to college. I don't think it's too young to know exactly what you want out of life.

Answer 3

You may know what you want for now, and you should go for it - not starting out on your career could mean you get into a rut with something else and will always wonder if you would have been better off with that career. You might change your mind down the road, but at least you will have the experience of that career. If it is something that requires extra education, that's great because that will benefit you whether you stick with that career choice forever or not.
As for a family, I was married at 20 and had my first child at 21 and now I'm 29. I'm glad I had my kids young because I had a lot of energy for them, but I regret being married so young - life experience has made me realize it may not have been the best choice.
These are big decisions, so give yourself time to think about them and good luck!

Answer 4

Yes. Put it this way, I turned 18 before I even started driving. I threw my last fit over a video game when I was 19. I looked for a job at 18/19 and didn't even find one because I was too "childish" and not experienced. I'm 22 now, in college, and no where near ready for marriage, a kid, or a career.

Go to college, once you meet so many guys, you wont want to get married, you'll want to stay young and you have many years to do so. Besides, you can't have a decent career without an education, let alone a good one.

EDITED, Sorry, I didn't realise you were a girl!

Answer 5

I think so...you will change ..he will change. Kids will come and there's a great chance that the spark will fade and a routine will set in. As much as we say that will not happen it almost always does. Live life a little and enjoy being single and taking on the world. Alot of people are waiting till they are 30 or so to get married and have kids. I had kids young like you and married young. Recently divorced after a 10 year marriage and I kinda wish I had waited but then again I do have my two boy's and that was worth it all. Good luck but at your age I think you will go through some emotional growths and change every now and then.

Answer 6

Usually it is too young. However, that truly depends on each individual. I met the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with when I was 17, and married him when I was 18. Next month, that will have been 28 years ago. So at 18, I really did know who I wanted to be with forever. There is a lot of other stuff that I have changed my opinion about since then, but regarding marriage, I did know what I wanted. However, I know that my situation is rare and special.

Answer 7

They say hind-sight is 20/20... my answer to your question is YES. I can only tell you about my experience. At your age I thought that I knew exactly what I wanted... I was wrong. I have a career that isn't what I would say is the best for me (but I spent 10 years studying, so I find it hard to throw away). I married someone who gave me exactly what I was looking to get (children and money) and I wound up unhappy and unfulfilled, although I did get 3 beautiful kids out of the deal... be careful what you ask for, you might just get it. I had all sorts of high-powered ideas about success and what I wanted... turns out I should have found someone nice, loving, kind and not necessarily brilliant with a high earning potential... I just told someone the other day that I thought I should have waited until I was much older and hopefully wiser until I made such huge decisions. But, you have to do your best, know yourself and follow your dreams... good luck, think long and hard about it.

Answer 8

18 isnt young, but have fun while you have time, i know it seems like you have gone through alot in your life, but your career is more important than having a family at 18.

Im almost 18 and ive thought about having a child, but you know what, my schooling is more important, i have time to have kids and get married, im yet waiting on getting married soon anyways, possibly after college when im about 20 or 21.

But keep in mind, 18 isnt young, but your career is more important than making a family. have fun while your still young, cuz when you get old...you start to stink.

Answer 9

It's never too young to know what you want to do in life. The thing is when you get older then things change.
I know it's hard to see it now cause your still young, but you will later.
But for guys it's different than for girls. for guys we should never get married until we reach 40. cause that is when you know for sure that the persoon your marrying doesn't have the middle aged fat gene.

For girls sometimes it's better to get married early. That way if you do have the middle aged fat gene then it's too lat for the guy to get a divorce cause you have kids already.

All this aside you are still young to get married, but you can plan for it, and hope for it.
Something else to consider, your children will have longer lives if you wait until your older to have them. Also you will have a more stable home and family life if you wait.
What's the rush anyway, why not enjoy being single while you can?

Answer 10

If you're that focused and are 100% sure that's what you want to do with your life I say go for it! The way I see it anyone at an early age who knows what they want out of life usually has some kind of gift or talent that will make them successful in that career so if you have a gift of gab I say do what you have to do.