If you’re in high school and still don’t know what you want to do after graduation, take a deep breath—you’re not behind.
But here’s what’s not okay: staying stuck because you’re scared to choose.

You don’t have to have your whole future figured out. You just need to make one decision that leads to the next step.

When I was in high school, the question wasn’t “Are you going to college?” It was “What college are you going to?” I grew up in a small town in North Dakota where nearly 90% of my classmates went to college. We didn’t overthink it; that was just the next step.

Looking back, I realize how grateful I am for that structure. College gave me direction. It gave me four years of stepping stones, deadlines, and a clear plan. At eighteen, I needed that. If I’d gone straight into the world without structure, I would’ve been totally lost.

But college wasn’t just about the classes—it was about the people I met along the way. Your network, your community, the people you surround yourself with—that’s what shapes your future.

When I moved to New York, I worked at a restaurant full of dreamers. Every server, every host, every bartender was also an actor, singer, or dancer. We were all chasing something. Conversations were about auditions, shows, and opportunities. That energy was contagious—and it made me better.

When I later moved to Florida, the vibe shifted. The people around me were good people, but they weren’t dreamers. Many were content where they were. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, I realized I needed to be around people who pushed me to grow.

So if you’re stuck right now, ask yourself: Who am I spending my time with? Energy is contagious—so is mediocrity.

And if you’re scared of student loans, don’t be. Education is an investment. I had a mountain of student loans, but I paid them off by age 27 because I worked hard and used my education to open doors. You’re not supposed to have the money before you go to college. You go to college to learn how to make it.

What I don’t recommend is taking a “gap year.”
At eighteen, a “year off to figure things out” usually turns into drifting—and drifting rarely leads to growth. Once you step out of a learning environment, it’s hard to get back in.

Instead, make a decision—any decision—that moves you forward. Apply to college. Get a part-time job. Take a course. Volunteer. Do something. The fastest way to know what you want is to try things and pay attention to how they make you feel.

That’s how you find your next step.

Your future is a web of possibilities, and you won’t discover any of them by standing still.

So stop waiting for someone to hand you permission.
Stop waiting for the perfect plan.

Make a decision.
Take action.
Start something.

Because your future doesn’t begin when you figure it all out.
It begins the moment you choose to move.