"My goal is to not wake up at forty with the bitter realization that I wasted my life on a job I hate because I was forced to choose a career in my teens.." -Daria Morgendorffer

Whenever I'm having a mid-mid-life crisis (quarter-life crisis?) KZfaq somehow always manages to direct me to the right 8-year-old Vlogbrothers video and for that, I am very grateful.

This would be a lot easier to swallow if it wasn't a $40,000 decision.

I'm laughing because one night I DID look up at the night sky and decided I wanted to get a P.h. D in astrophysics 😂 And so now that's what I'm doing

"study broadly and without fear" Next on my career to-do list: Comic Book writing and Olympic curling team.

"You're staring at the night sky one night and decide you wanna get a PhD in astrophysics." kinda touched me!!

im 19 and scared I'm gonna come back to this video in a couple years still unsure,,,

I think John Green is now my favorite person.

I love that you said we can do multiple things. At only 28 years old I have been a Disney World security guard, a bartender, later a special ed high school teacher, and lastly I joined the Navy as a gunner's mate just to put one more thing under my belt. People look at my like I'm crazy because I have changed my career so many times. The truth is I like to try many different careers. I already have a college degree but I figure I have til I am about 30 to nail down what I really want to do (and I know what that is now) but I look back at all the fun memories from other jobs, and am reminded of the skills I attained. So many people put pressure on me so young to decide on what to do/ go to college, and at 18 I had no idea. New nerdfighter and big fan (thanks to my awesome brother who convinced me to start watching and reading the books).

That part about avocados was on point.

John Green for President of the World

"if you're studying archeology you're probably not gonna be electrical engineer" haha, guess what

He literally just answered and if not, solved all the internal conflicts I have been having in the last two years. ❤️❤️

I'm almost 52 and have no idea what to do with my life, specifically for work and money. On the up side, death is looking better by the day.

I had something of an epiphany on this a while back. and the answer is quite simple: whatever you enjoy. And I MEAN whatever, so long as it does not infringe upon others enjoyment (ergo, an it harm none, do what ye will). It's built on my realization that our existence in this reality, final or otherwise, is completely, absolutely, and utterly meaningless; unless you GIVE it a reason. If becoming a doctor or a parent or President would be fun for you, and if the payoff is, in your eyes, worth the sacrifice, then DO that. At the same time, spending your entire life playing video games and hanging out with friends is just as valid. Nothing matters, so just enjoy yourself while you're here. So long as you can look back at your life and say "I had fun", you could not possibly have done anything better. To summarize: The meaning of life is to have fun. And nothing else matters.

this video truly helped me, as I am a high-schooler trying to understanding the cloud of ambiguity that is adulthood. Your statement about narrowing your choices as you age also reminded me of a stunning quote from the novel Tell the Wolves I'm Home: “I really wondered why people were always doing what they didn't like doing. It seemed like life was a sort of narrowing tunnel. Right when you were born, the tunnel was huge. You could be anything. Then, like, the absolute second after you were born, the tunnel narrowed down to about half that size. You were a boy, and already it was certain you wouldn't be a mother and it was likely you wouldn't become a manicurist or a kindergarten teacher. Then you started to grow up and everything you did closed the tunnel in some more. You broke your arm climbing a tree and you ruled out being a baseball pitcher. You failed every math test you ever took and you canceled any hope of ever being a scientist. Like that. On and on through the years until you were stuck. You'd become a baker or a librarian or a bartender. Or an accountant. And there you were. I figured that on the day you died, the tunnel would be so narrow, you'd have squeezed yourself in with so many choices, that you just got squashed.” -Carol Rifka Brunt. Also I was wondering if you could make some kind of video giving advice to new NerdFighters?

Im starting college soon and I am absolutely terrified and this morning there has been some existential crisis happening, but this helped, actually it made me cry for some reason but then it helped, is this what the rest of College is going to be? Existential Crisis, slight excitement, and unexplained tears? Goodness.

Wow. The algorithm has brought me back a whopping 8 years ago. This is almost vintage KZfaq and aging well.

I feel so extremely fortunate that Hank and John Green were introduced into my life, I fear who I'd be without knowing about them or the beautiful things they say.

My experience is that your options don't narrow nearly as much as you might fear. I mean, yes, choosing a major like medicine or the law will definitely push very strongly in a particular direction, but I majored in Spanish (plus History; it's complicated) then I spent most of my career in IT. Despite spending most of my career in IT, a big chunk of that was in teaching it to other people. Despite spending so much time teaching technology and working with it, I've spent the past 10 years doing so in social services and more particularly putting those skills toward ending homelessness. Also, I specifically chose a non-teaching degree while attending a teacher-prep-focused college, and still ended up in the classroom and writing curriculum. My mom got a teaching degree, then spent multiple decades raising children, and then went whole hog into the workforce. My dad did a number of different things in his career, from teaching, to self-employment, to chemistry, to eventually ending up as a computer-aided draftsman, which was kind of his first love. And back to me again, my first major was Business Administration which I stopped because accounting was boring, and now, after spending multiple decades working for other people, I'm running my own business, doing my own bookkeeping, etc. Almost none of the choices you make are unchangeable. And while you can't go back and run a different path, you absolutely can choose a different path from where you are at any given moment. And head back to your original path again later if you wish. But if the question is "what do I do with my life?" my advice is whatever else you do, choose something you think you will enjoy. And don't be afraid to change course.

As a college student who's been worrying nonstop about deciding on a major, I really have to say that I adore this video. Thanks, John.

This video really helped me after spending a day worrying about my future... I feel prett light-hearted now.

I don't know if you or hank know this. Like truly understand the gravity of it all. I as a person living in this world would believe that this phenomenon that is happening to me happens to others because I'm not in a vacuum. What I'm saying is your videos and all you support have let me find solidarity in my beliefs again. Because for the people who have jobs that they don't particularly enjoy and going to college and stuck in a slump of stress that might surround not knowing what they wish to do. You offer a voice to those people who feel lost. Forgive my inability to be concise. I also don't expect you guys to see it. But to be silent, even on deaf ears is the bigger tragedy.

This is exactly what I needed. Thank you.

"every time i made a choice my options narrowed" one of the main themes of The Bell Jar love love love

Thank you for making this video. I was feeling really depressed about my future until I watched this.

I've already figured it out. Eat pancakes now, play video games and continue to avoid any responsibility or work until death.

I'm only 15 and I to get unexplainable excited when finding a perfectly ripe avocado.

When he mentioned the musical note and how I'd be all anxious I was just like "G#. Done."

I remember watching this when it first came out. I was in my first year of medical school then. Fast forward 5ish years later and I'm about to start working as a doctor. The fears and anxieties of the last five years have grown and shifted but the message in this video is still sound. (What has also happened in the past 5 years - I wrote a lot of stuff. I learned a lot of new things, including the guitar, ukulele, how to play/run Dungeons and Dragons, etc. And yeah also a bunch of medical things. Here's to the next five years of studying broadly and without fear.)

People sometimes get confused when I tell them I'm attempting to study environmental biology, philosophy, french, yoga, and music. As if I NEED to study one thing deeply, rather than multiple things widely. And I've always had some trouble articulating why I'm stubbornly pursuing all of these things, but this video is absolutely perfect. Thank you John. DFTBA!

I am 30 yrs old and I am just watching youtube videos.

This honestly made me feel so much better about everything

These 3:23 mins shot 8 years ago.. changed my whole perspective about life now 2021.... John... Thank you....🥺

I always forget that the beautiful quote of "Study broadly and without fear" in this particular video. So whenever I accidentally re-watch it, I am always taken back with a minor epiphany each time.

Veritasium

thank you for making this.

I watched this video when it first came out and I was like that's some good advice but 2 years later I re-came across it and it was the exact advise I needed. I am at a different spot in my life then I was the first time I saw the video which changed the impact the video has on me. I always find it crazy that time and experience can change your perspective...

2012 John: That sounds a lot like I'm saying I love you. Hank you have a stupid face 2020 John: *names a video 'A love letter to my brother, basically'* How them times have changed ;)

This made me think about something. I have been out of college for 2 years now, and i have to say; i still have no idea what I'm going to spend my life doing. I feel like the first few years after college are kind of like the freshmen years of your adult life. I have had my first real job , gotten my first promotion at work,Went to Ireland for vacation, been responsible with my finances so that I have a high credit score, learned the value of putting all my bills on a spreadsheet, bought my first car of my own, and learned how to get up every evening and go to work day after day. The only other time in my life that has been so transitory was when I went from being a high school to a college student, and even then it was mostly dealing with less hand-holding within the same academic system.

I would hate to surround myself with people, even if I like them. Just one or two good ones and I'd be happy. Quiet ones. Ones that will intellectually discuss, paint, read, and hike with you but still let you enjoy the ambiance of your surroundings and each others' presence. Basically, people that let you be you and they can be them without conflict.

An oldie but a goldie

10 years later and you're still doing this. I hope you look back and enjoy your time doing this. I recently found you and enjoy your time spent human. I'm still trying to figure it out and my time is passing and I'm not happy w what I've done w some of it. side gig of yours is awesome.

John Green is excitingly erratic in the way he describes things XD

I graduate highschool next year so im at the point in my life where I need to start making decisions. So whenever I feel stressed out about future plans I come back to this video and it sets me at ease. I can seriously do whatever I want to. I can be a journalist who travels searching for the worlds greatest pizza while singing in cafes, and running a blog about space and volunteer at children's hospitals in my spare time. I have the ability do everything I have ever wanted to do.

Thank you for this. It's tough out there sometimes and too easy to feel like you're doing something wrong or heading nowhere fast. Videos like this give me motivation to continue with good decisions I've made, or to head into another completely different direction

An expression of pure Nirvana crosses Johns face in the middle of the store. “This avacado,” he muses, tearing up, “is perfectly ripe."

Nearly five years later, this is still the best advice I've ever been given. Any time I know someone who is struggling with this same question, I just show them this video. It's become my "oh the places you'll go," so to speak.

Mister Green, there is simply no other way of phrasing this other than the timeless and (almost) aforementioned "I love you man"

The algorithm recommended this video to me today. I needed it. Can john answer this question again today i think that would be awesome :)

This video completely neutralises my stress and confusion whenever I think about the future. It gives positive outlook on uncertainity and the assurance that everything will be alright no matter what you choose to do,if you have a right attitude towards it.

I LOVE YOU, JOHN. & HANK. THANK YOU. Sincerely, A senior in high school asking herself this question.

This might be one of the best and most inspirational videos on KZfaq.

I hate when people ask me where I see myself in five years. C'mon guys, you know I don't 2020 vision. Kill meh. I dare you.

I've been recently almost desperate because I kept asking my self what do I want to do in my life this video changed the way I looked at it and now I feel way comfortable and ready to go . thank you

I watched this last year too, but now that I'm a graduated senior in high school, it hits home a lot more. I've been absolutely TERRIFIED of what'll happen in the next few months and beyond, and this is just wonderful to hear. Thank you once again Mr. Green (:

I am a Chemical Engineering Student, I have an Animation Degree I am a Seamstress, I work at Retail I am A wife, I am a friend You are not one thing, the choice you make will evolve and develop you don't need to commit to it for ever.

I'm about to graduate from college, and even though I've seen this before (and know some of this from experience), it still made me feel calmer.

Watching this now, and once again the KZfaq algorithm and the Green brothers found a way to make me smile.

I think this video finally made me realize that you really don't have to do the same thing for the rest of your life. Adulthood is really just about experiences and starting your own family and seeing them grow right in front of your eyes and making memories with life long friends and just doing what you want to do with the people you love :)

This didnt help. I know i dont need to have 1 job for the rest of my life. But i keep failing every single job i try and im getting very discouraged

This. This right here, is why I watch vlogbrothers and really anything produced or vaguely touched by John and/or Hank Green. I literally searched KZfaq for "What to do with my life" and this little gem popped up. Granted, I watch vlogbrothers weekly, as well as Crash Course and Mental Floss which means the search has developed my preferences and gives me what I so desire, on KZfaq anyhow. But I digress... John, Hank, DFTBA.

After today's video - the Perspective video - I came back to this. The way your words, whether they are in written form or spoken through a small youtube screen, influence young people all over the world is unique and incredible. Thank you for staying awesome, John.

Had watched this video long ago and suddenly today, I was feeling very lost and depressed and this shows up! This is kinda very comforting

It's funny because the bit where you mentioned Astrophysics is directly relevant to me :) Not surprisingly, John, you give very good advice here too. One shouldn't limit oneself to the basic life model society throws at us - to live life fully you shouldn't be afraid of trying new and different things that broaden and deepen you as a person, even if they appear difficult or illogical and more rooted in passion to everyone else. People often have more control over their lives than they realise, and I'd rather live my life actively pursuing whatever it is that I want to do, no matter at what stage in my life, than just passively living my life with regrets.

When he first talks about what people think life is like at the beginning is literally the jist of what my parents believe life is.

This is really what I need now. Having a sibling is a blessing. Once again I am facing that biggest questions "What should I do with my life?". Me and my brothers recently had a heart-to-heart discussion on what we're gonna do with our lives as everything seems sooo uncertain and screwed. I wish I had an older cousin or an uncle like you. You're funny and I love to hear your advice on stuffs like this. I just couldn't communicate with my parents. They just don't listen... sigh...

once every 6 months or so I wind up coming back to this video and feeling grateful for it :)

What a comforting video...

I'm at the tail end of my degree and I feel like it's so goddamn hopeless. I hate my degree so much, and I have no idea what alternatives I have. Accounting and taxation are my majors and I genuinely cannot think of a worse combination to have chosen, but I can't do anything because my mother will disown me if I try to choose something else, and I'm belittled for every hobby I try to take on, and there's increasing pressure on me to quickly finish my degree and "will you just get a stable job and be done with stupid dreams of alternatives?" I'm only 20 but I feel so miserable and trapped. I've always wanted to do something creative or involving problem-solving, but I have no idea where to even begin. I was going to do engineering but my mum talked me out of it. I'm five weeks into this semester and I've had more breakdowns than assignments. I know no one will even see this or reply, but I just wanted to let it all out. All my friends can do is to offer some encouragement but I totally understand they can't really help me, however one also told me to grow up and stop dreaming about doing something "stupid" like design. I'm also already much older to begin design compared to others, who all have started design in early high school. It feels so shit and I genuinely don't know what to do. And I know it's not my mum's life it's mine, but no matter what I do, as soon as I misstep, she immediately berates me and guilt-trips me for failing, and this is what I've had to put up with for the past 10 years in education. I have no confidence in myself. I have no idea what to do.

There's this quote from one of my favorites books ever which says something like "there's no right way to live, all we can do is choose a path and run and run and see how far we can make it". I found it in a time where i was really lost about what to do with my life, which would be the right choice for me, and it has really helped me a lot. We may not know which path is the right one, and we may make the wrong choice, and we might change it completely halfway throught, but what matters is to keep going forward, find how far you can make it and that's enough.

This is my favorite Vlogbrothers video. Watched it 100+ times now.

Ok, I'm just gonna say it- I kind of cried a little watching this... Probably it was from sleep deprivation, but it also could have been that this was exactly what I needed to hear, and thank you enormously for that!

Surround yourself with people you like? That's kind of hard for me :(

I have been stressing over everything you touched upon. School, careers, work...it's too much to handle sometimes. "study broadly" is probably the best thing I could have heard, at this moment. Thank you!

that was probably the most uplifting content I have seen on youtube in months, keep up the good work. You Green brothers are made of the right stuff.

"Hank, you have a stupid face!" I randomly saw this video soon after watching another one from a year ago, where John asks his daughter Alice to give him something mean to say to Hank. In that one, she suggested telling him he has a stupid butt. Heredity at its finest. Also, thank you KZfaq Algorithm, for showing me two random vlogbrothers videos with a unique connection!

I don’t want to go to school tho.. it scares me.. it’s boring to me.. it makes me depressed

6 years later and I came back to this video cause i really needed to hear this again

this is amazing. I feel like everyone expects you to know the one thing you'll spend your life doing. Thank you so much for making this video!

John Green, I love you.

One of the greatest videos in the world.

8 years later, I am very much thankful for this video

Thanks man, needed this

Hank and/or John, please write an autobiography about either your childhood or beginning nerdfighteria. Would be amazing!

This video really spoke to me. I think i'm going to bookmark this video and watch it every day, or at least when I need to, because that fear really does get to me and I've already spent hours freaking out about what my major is going to be and I've already wasted a year of college by picking the wrong classes, and all your videos about college give me hope. I'm sorry about the run-on sentence, but I just want you to know i'm slowly being cured of my anxiety-produced paralysis with help from you.

this video was helpful in atleast calming my stupid side down. i was fretting about my what to do after 12th all week and suddenly remembered there was a vlogbrothers video with this title that i never watched. finally did and i feel a lot better already. thank you, john green :D

I absolutely love the ending... Hm, that sounds stupid... Ah well atleast I won't say your face is stupid...

I was premed last year and now I am doing software engineering. The purpose of my life has been to prove John Greens one statement wrong. I can die happy now.

I've been there. When I was 18-19, I dropped out of school and spent a year at home being depressed. Then I started volunteering at the local library, and while I don't think I'll ever want to work full-time as a librarian, it was what it took to get me out of depression. I now take maths and physics via the Internet, as well as more maths at school, and hope to one day be a physicist. In short, find something that's a little bit meaningful to fill your days with while you figure things out.

I really like this. I initially went to college for an Aviation Flight degree, but when finances got a little too tight I jumped ship and I'm now getting a degree in Aviation Technologies. Lo and behold I enjoy maintaining planes just as much as flying them! Though my options narrowed and now exclude what was my childhood dream (flying an airliner, but low and slow is the way to go anyway), I look forward to the future more now than ever!

I had an unexpected dream: we met, John. In the study of the little girl I am tutoring in English. The I in my dream felt surprise when you showed up - all of a sudden, biensur! And then you started talking (you talked more than I did, which is funny, because I talk a lot, and you were reassuring), but I didn't listen to much. I can't really tell you if you have me advised on something or told me about your childhood pets, but I felt very serene. The feeling of calmness lasted two minuted into waking up, when I realized that we, unfortunately, did not meet and I, so be it!, still know not how to proceed.

You guys inspire me. Thank you!

This is the advice i really wish i’ve heard when i was younger, but i reached something like that ideal with myself, and i’m glad to hear it now cause i question it and myself a lot. Thank you

I wish I heard this advice 10 years ago. I definitely needed to hear it today.

I honestly think that public high school sets you up better for college and having friends later on. But if you're already extroverted and plan on using homeschooling to get ahead in the curriculum or don't plan on going to college, then homeschooling would probably be just fine for you.

bout to make "study broadly and without fear" my graduation cap WATCH OUT. im painting it tonight :)))))

This video made me feel so much better. :) I've been stressing out about which grad school to go to, whether I wanna be a counselor, basically just questioning my entire existence. I can always count on the Vlogbrothers for some perspective.

You know why John Green doesn't blink? Because there's a weeping angel behind the camera he's constantly keeping at bay and protecting all the nerdfighters from seeing.

Hello, thank you this was one of the best videos I have ever seen in my life. You saved me a lot of hours worrying. Really fucking thank you. Am I able to donate to you somewhere?