Hi everyone,

I’m hoping someone can help. Although this may seem trivial to some, I have a real problem that eats away at me every day.

I don’t have a career.

Just to give you a bit of context to my situation, I’m a 33 year old woman and I live in London. I spent a solid part of my 20’s living at my parents home, writing a book that I had idyllic dreams of getting published. The book was about my past experiences in a traumatic relationship, infidelity, travelling and coming of age. It took 7 years to complete.

After receiving an unconstructive critique from my editor, I decided to step away from writing for a while. My book was also proving to be very triggering for me, so after discussing this with a therapist, I was advised to seek more counselling before returning to it.

So here I am, seven years later, not writing, unsure as where to take my life. I have a art history degree, but haven’t utilised it. I truly believe I spent so much time on my book, that I wasn’t paying attention to what I really wanted to do with my life or made a plan. I feel listless and frustrated with myself now, stuck in a low paying, menial job I loathe.

I like to think I’m pretty sharp as people compliment me on being very witty. I’m driven, liked socially, have good communication skills, but have no technical skills whatsoever. 

My previous work has been been in the public sector but due to cuts, I feel this is a largely an unstable career. 

I’m very interested in meditation, yoga, well-being, and physical therapies. I’m willing to study as I’m not very materialistic and could save for it given my determination, but this could only be part time as I’d still have to work. I’d say I’m motivated by work satisfaction rather than money as I’ve never had that before. 

I do have a bit of an entrepreneurial streak, but I’m not sure how I could merge this with my interests. Can anyone help guide me or give me some advice? This issue plays a big part of me being unhappy as I don’t have a sense of worth or purpose.

Thank you so much