I have read that many college graduates go through a period of crisis, kind of similar to mid-life crisis, especially if there was no set career linked into their studies. However, I need some more personal advice, I cannot move forward without something.
I used to be really into the performing arts. In high school I did everything, dance, sing, act, choreograph, direct, play in a band, and even some visual arts. I even went to college for dance (that turned out to be terrible, not because I wasn't dedicated, but because the college was all wrong & I needed much more structured strict training). I left that college, transferred, and did two years of a liberal arts education in mostly literature... I did one play and took no dance classes in those two years.
Now that I've graduated, I keep wondering what it is I actually want to pursue. I don't want to spend my parents' money recklessly, so I live at home, and haven't really developed a sense of independence.
I just don't know if I stopped dancing because I was discouraged, depressed and couldn't believe in myself, or if I stopped because it wasn't meant to be. I have heard other dancers claim that they "live, breathe, and sleep dance", but I was never one of those. I love dance and theater, but I feel I'm not talented, despite what I've been told, and though I was never shy onstage, offstage I don't fit in with the extroverted confidence of most actors/dancers.
I don't know what to do. I feel it may be irresponsible to go back to performing arts with my low self esteem. I may end up just wasting my parents money, or else exhausting myself physically as a waiter, and emotionally at auditions.
I just don't know if I'm giving up my real passion in life. I also want to help people, and am passionate about that, but don't know where to begin.
Even writing this gets to me. I feel selfish even thinking of going into the arts. I often feel as though I should get a nursing degree, or teach. I know that would be less selfish, and I think I could be fairly content doing either one. I just wonder if my dream for so long to be a performer is a pipe dream.

[kaliope]

if you don't have the confidence in yourself to do it, that wil always get in your way. see if the college has one of those career tests...or see if you can find a serious one on the internet. I don't know if they have a vocational center near you because that would be a place to go or a career counselor..but there is a test you can take that goes over your interests and lets you know what careers are best suited for you. you like helping others so maybe a nurse is a good idea but it is a highly competitive field for school. but you can get a job anywhere so that is good. what kind of job can you get where you can combine your preforming arts with helping others? a social director at a school for disabled children or old folks home...........take care.

[Junerain]

any interest in being a drama teacher or music teacher? I teach in an afterschool program, I love going to work everyday- extremely rewarding, to make a difference in children's lives!!!

I have taught kids drama before... I guess I feel under-qualified. But really I don't have many qualifications in any field... I haven't the experience yet. I always have felt that I would want some experience in any field that I decided to teach in. I want to feel capable, experienced, and authoritative in what I teach, if I decide to do so. I don't feel that way about theater, though I love it.
It's hard to explain. It's kind of like when I first left dance school, I would get depressed after seeing professional dancers, because I kept thinking "that could have been me but now it never will" or worse, "I was never capable of reaching that level". It's a totally useless thought process, and maybe irrelevant to my current life, except I haven't decided what else to do.
I haven't had enough different experiences in life yet to settle on one thing. It makes me sad because i know there's a time limit to being a professional dancer at least, so the more I dawdle, the less chance I have of going that route. My parents have said I should see more of the world, meet new people etc... I just have to wonder if this is a real solution.

[jenniy122]

Google "quarter life crisis". It's a new phenomenon, but a fairly popular theory of what 20-somethings go through. May shed some light on what you're going through and give you some guidance.