u/Mindless-Cold5117

Hi everyone,
I’m 26 and I genuinely don’t know what direction to take anymore.
For the last couple of years it feels like every plan I’ve had has fallen apart. I studied accounting, then realised office work wasn’t for me. I tried another career path and that didn’t feel right either. I worked in construction for a while and actually enjoyed being on site more than being behind a desk.
More recently I spent months trying to start my own food business. I found a unit, spoke with solicitors, negotiated with the landlord, planned everything and invested a lot of time, only for the whole deal to collapse after months of delays and back and forth. It really knocked my confidence because I felt like I’d finally found something I wanted to build.
Now I’m back at square one.
At the moment I’m considering learning painting and decorating. My dad has worked in the trade for years, my uncle is also a painter, and I have an interview for a painting and decorating course. If that works out, I was thinking of spending some time learning the basics with my uncle before the course starts.
The problem is I keep asking myself whether this is actually the right path or if I’m just convincing myself because I’m desperate to move forward.
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life jumping from one idea to another. I want to commit to something, become really good at it and eventually build my own business. I’m not expecting success overnight, but I do want to make the right long term decision.

Has anyone else been in this position where you felt completely lost in your mid twenties?

If you had to start again at 26 with no clear direction, what would you do?

If you’re a painter and decorator, would you recommend the trade today?

If you work in another trade or run your own business, what path would you choose if you were starting from scratch?

I’m not looking for people to tell me what I want to hear. If you think I’m making a mistake, tell me. I’d rather hear honest opinions from people with real experience than spend another few years going in circles.

Thanks for reading.

Hi everyone,
I’m 26 and I genuinely don’t know what direction to take anymore.
For the last couple of years it feels like every plan I’ve had has fallen apart. I studied accounting, then realised office work wasn’t for me. I tried another career path and that didn’t feel right either. I worked in construction for a while and actually enjoyed being on site more than being behind a desk.
More recently I spent months trying to start my own food business. I found a unit, spoke with solicitors, negotiated with the landlord, planned everything and invested a lot of time, only for the whole deal to collapse after months of delays and back and forth. It really knocked my confidence because I felt like I’d finally found something I wanted to build.
Now I’m back at square one.
At the moment I’m considering learning painting and decorating. My dad has worked in the trade for years, my uncle is also a painter, and I have an interview for a painting and decorating course. If that works out, I was thinking of spending some time learning the basics with my uncle before the course starts.
The problem is I keep asking myself whether this is actually the right path or if I’m just convincing myself because I’m desperate to move forward.
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life jumping from one idea to another. I want to commit to something, become really good at it and eventually build my own business. I’m not expecting success overnight, but I do want to make the right long term decision.

Has anyone else been in this position where you felt completely lost in your mid twenties?

If you had to start again at 26 with no clear direction, what would you do?

If you’re a painter and decorator, would you recommend the trade today?

If you work in another trade or run your own business, what path would you choose if you were starting from scratch?

I’m not looking for people to tell me what I want to hear. If you think I’m making a mistake, tell me. I’d rather hear honest opinions from people with real experience than spend another few years going in circles.

Thanks for reading.

Hi everyone,
I’m 26 and I genuinely don’t know what direction to take anymore.
For the last couple of years it feels like every plan I’ve had has fallen apart. I studied accounting, then realised office work wasn’t for me. I tried another career path and that didn’t feel right either. I worked in construction for a while and actually enjoyed being on site more than being behind a desk.
More recently I spent months trying to start my own food business. I found a unit, spoke with solicitors, negotiated with the landlord, planned everything and invested a lot of time, only for the whole deal to collapse after months of delays and back and forth. It really knocked my confidence because I felt like I’d finally found something I wanted to build.
Now I’m back at square one.
At the moment I’m considering learning painting and decorating. My dad has worked in the trade for years, my uncle is also a painter, and I have an interview for a painting and decorating course. If that works out, I was thinking of spending some time learning the basics with my uncle before the course starts.
The problem is I keep asking myself whether this is actually the right path or if I’m just convincing myself because I’m desperate to move forward.
I don’t want to spend the rest of my life jumping from one idea to another. I want to commit to something, become really good at it and eventually build my own business. I’m not expecting success overnight, but I do want to make the right long term decision.

Has anyone else been in this position where you felt completely lost in your mid twenties?

If you had to start again at 26 with no clear direction, what would you do?

If you’re a painter and decorator, would you recommend the trade today?

If you work in another trade or run your own business, what path would you choose if you were starting from scratch?

I’m not looking for people to tell me what I want to hear. If you think I’m making a mistake, tell me. I’d rather hear honest opinions from people with real experience than spend another few years going in circles.

Thanks for reading.