Good for you, Nora. I’m 22 and I understand your frustration about feeling pushed in a direction that society deems necessary – even vital – in order to live properly. Lately I’ve been thinking that we live in a society that places little value on the importance of taking time out to find one’s self. It’s sounds such a cliche, nonsensical concept, yet it’s completely true. We are funnelled and shuffled down time-worn social paths and applauded for doing the same; the stability of what is known and what is proper is considered to be more important than the lessons to be learned from throwing those restraints to the wind. I suppose people are scared of the unknown and of ending up in bad situations because they were “impulsive” or “too idealistic”.

I think, Nora, you have learned something that many people realise too late in life, that you do not have to be pinned down by these societal restraints, and for this I applaud you. I can only hope to gain something of your courage one day and just *live* my life for me, as me. It’s fantastic that you’ve even got yourself a career at this age – even if it’s not what you ultimately wanted – and I think it shows just what kind of person you are: brave and unafraid to seek the life you want. Even the best and brightest of us can only take so much.

You ask about crossroads? How about you turn your back on those four mysterious roads and aim *up*: reach for the stars and soar. I know you’ll go far (and I apologise for the terribly lame metaphor, but I really wanted to write it! :D)