Is This What I’m Meant to Do? Navigating Career Confusion in Your 20s

If you’re in your 20s and feel like you’re walking through life with a question mark over your head, you’re not alone. Maybe you thought you’d have it all figured out by now—the dream job, the clear path, the sense of purpose that magically clicks into place after graduation. But here you are, scrolling job boards, second-guessing your choices, and wondering if you missed some secret memo on how to be an adult.

I get it because I’ve been there too.

There was a time when I felt like I was floating through life, desperately trying to anchor myself to something that felt like “purpose.” I left behind jobs that didn’t fulfill me, chased dreams that felt exciting at first but eventually left me feeling more lost, and sat with the uncomfortable thought: What if I never figure it out? But here's what I've learned through the uncertainty—purpose isn’t always a clear, linear path. Sometimes it's more like wandering through the wilderness, picking up lessons along the way.

The Pressure to "Have It All Figured Out"

Society loves to sell us this timeline: go to school, get a degree, land your dream job, and then live happily ever after. But what they don’t tell you is that most of us don’t walk a straight line. Careers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and fulfillment isn’t something you stumble upon like a hidden treasure. It’s often built over time, through trial and error, through jobs that teach you what you don’t want as much as what you do.

When Your Job Feels Like a Placeholder

Maybe you’re in a job right now that feels like just that—a job. It pays the bills, but it doesn’t light you up inside. You’re not alone in that feeling. I worked jobs that felt like they were just temporary pit stops, but I was too scared to admit that out loud. I thought, Does this mean I’m failing? The truth is, those "placeholder" jobs taught me resilience, self-awareness, and even gratitude. They weren’t wasted time; they were stepping stones.

Redefining What Purpose Looks Like

Your career doesn’t have to be your entire purpose. We live in a culture that glorifies career success as the pinnacle of identity, but you are more than your job title. Purpose can be found in the way you show up for others, in the passions you nurture outside of work, and in the small, everyday choices that align with who you are.

For me, launching Her Sunday Best wasn’t just about starting a blog; it was about creating a space where I could pour my heart into words, connect with women who feel the same pressures, and remind myself that purpose isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. And trust me, I didn’t have all the answers when I started. I still don’t. But that’s okay.

When Faith Meets Career Uncertainty

If you’re a woman of faith like me, you might wrestle with questions like, Is this where God wants me? Am I missing my calling? I used to think God had this one perfect path for me, and if I didn’t find it, I’d be off track forever. But I’ve learned that God isn’t sitting in heaven with a checklist, disappointed because I didn’t land my dream job by 25. He cares more about who I’m becoming in the process than the job title on my resume.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Notice it doesn’t say you have to make your path straight. That's His job. Our job is to trust, take the next step, and keep showing up.

What to Do When You Feel Lost:

1. Reflect on What Brings You Joy:

   Not just what you’re good at, but what makes you lose track of time. What topics do you love to talk about? What activities leave you feeling energized?

2. Allow Yourself to Pivot:

   You’re not a failure if you change your mind. Growth often looks like outgrowing things you once thought you wanted.

3. Detach Your Worth from Your Work:

   You are valuable because of who you are, not what you do. Your job can be meaningful, but it doesn’t define your identity.

4. Pray for Clarity, Then Take Action:

   Sometimes we wait for a clear sign from God when He’s already given us the freedom to explore. Take a step, even if it’s small.

5. Talk About It:

   Career confusion feels heavier when we keep it bottled up. Open up to friends, mentors, or communities where you feel safe.

You’re Not Behind

If no one has told you this recently: You’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be, even if it doesn’t feel like it. The confusion, the doubts, the restless questions—they’re all part of the process. Life isn’t about having a perfectly mapped-out career path. It’s about becoming who God created you to be, one step at a time.

So, if you’re sitting there wondering, Is this what I’m meant to do? know that the answer doesn’t have to be crystal clear today. Just keep going, keep growing, and trust that purpose often finds you when you least expect it.

You’re doing better than you think.