Posted by Do you ever wonder about the road not taken? How your life path would have been different had you just taken that job offer, followed that sexy lover across the country, made different choices at turning points?
Today we we journal, we also get out our crystal balls and try looking into the future that never was.
Today’s Journal Prompt for January’s Writing Challenge:
If you could go back in time and try another life path or change one event, what would it be, and why?
Where do you think you would be today?
Sometimes choices we make feel huge. I distinctly remember making a decision about my major in college and how that has changed my life. Other times things seem small. There is a boy I broke up with in high school after just one date. Someone else caught my eye. But he turned out well and I always wondered if that wasn’t one of those big mistakes. It’s so hard to know.
There is a valid reason I think to look at these life path choices. For one, how we decide makes a difference. Do you always follow your gut? Do you agonize? Or do you seek help? What worked for you – and what didn’t? Knowing that helps you know how to make choices in the future.
The other reason is that I feel many people have anxiety about these decisions. It isn’t something that is a constant worry, but it can be a nagging worry in the back of the mind. This little gremlin saying, what if? Bringing that out into the light of day can help get it out of your head.
If you could go back in time and try another life path or change one event, what would it be, and why? Where do you think you would be today?
As I mentioned, I distinctly remember making the choice to go into Marketing and Communications in college, but I have always wondered what would have happened had my life path taken me into a different field. Specifically, Library Science.
I’ve always been an avid reader. And when I was taking classes at our local community college, I worked in the library. I loved that job. The pay was fairly terrible, but the work was wonderful. I liked the people and I really enjoyed the work. Not following following that life path has always made me just a little sad.
Where do you think you would be today?
Library jobs are not easy to come by. At least they weren’t at the time, and much like other specialized professions, you had to go where the job was. That most likely would have involved moving out of state.
At the time, I would have been all for that. But today, I am glad I live where I do. I love seeing my nieces regularly. I like how close my friends and loved ones are. And I love this town. Grand Rapids has really grown on me over the years. It would have been quite an adventure when I was in my 20s, but now, I am very happy where I am.
What about you? Where could your life path have taken you?
Following Along and Taking Part
You can follow along with January’s Journal Prompts on GRLife’s Instagram and Twitter. Watch this blog or find my responses to the posts on Facebook. You can also see past prompts there. Please let me know what you think – I love the feedback!