Life advice

[Looksmaxzxzxzcxx]

Hey, I wanted to reach out because I’ve been juggling a lot of thoughts lately and could really use your perspective. I just turned 17 and have been trying to take steps toward building something for myself. I’ve applied for a side job in food delivery to start earning some money, but I’m still waiting on verification to get started.





On top of that, I’ve been looking into crypto and thinking about investing, but I’m not sure how to approach it since most platforms require ID verification and being 18.





Lately, I’ve also been trying to improve myself intellectually—I’ve been reading fiction, exploring other kinds of books, and watching interviews to learn more about the world and myself. I feel this strong sense of urgency to achieve something meaningful and make a name for myself, but at the same time, I’m disquieted that if I don’t have ample enough time to fully develop myself, I won’t reach my potential.





I’ve thought about inter-railing across Europe to explore and gain new experiences, but currently, I don’t have the money for that, nor am I sure it would be the best move immediately after earning some money. But I’m vacillating; however, I’m going to Portugal to visit soon.





What are your thoughts? I’d really value y’all’s advice or any thoughts you have on how to approach all of this.

 

[LLsurgeryEnthusiast]

you have tons of time to make something of yourself. there is no rush in life and people who push that virtue on young adults are just reducing competition. go explore things that you actually enjoy doing such as hobbies/interests or "side quests" work is structurally rooted in every adults life and you will not be a stranger to it tho most struggle with finding real purpose in life by getting stuck in the money cycle. its better to know what you are actually here for earlier in life because the older you get the less human spirit you end up with.

 

[iblamechico]

I feel this strong sense of urgency to achieve something meaningful and make a name for myself,

It'll fade away don't worry

 

[aids]

It'll fade away don't worry

Never faded away, at least for me.
Time only becomes more valuable as you age.
Keep the sense of urgency because it's an advantage.
For OP, it depends largely on your goals. Want to have a good professional career? Make sure you're well prepared for university.
Always keep the obvious direction in your life open. Explore other things but make sure to stick to your studies.

 

[DHTrash]

Advice from someone 10 years older:
1. Specialization. Get really fucking good at something.
2. Travel and make connections. To save costs you can stay at hostels, commute by train/bus.
3. Start investing your money as soon as you start earning a steady income. Always keep a small buffer to cover for monthly expenses, planned holidays etc.

Regarding investing. If you can't get a brokerage account because of your age, ask your dad/relative to invest the money for you for now. Crypto is a good way gateway to learn more about investing/trading, but I would strongly suggest not throwing any serious money in it right now if I were you. At 17 your brain is just still too fucking impulsive. You'll probably get tempted, because nowadays all you see is faggots on TikTok getting rich promoting memecoins and trying to sell their courses to you. But keep in mind you are their exit liquidity/source of income. Slow and steady wins the race, albeit boring: index funds/gold.