Quarter Life Crisis

I've just been goggling quarter life crisis. Yep. Good old google to the rescue. But seriously, Im 24 and in 4 months I will be a quarter of a century old. It seems quite scary. Actually TERRIFYING. I may be anywhere between 1/3- 1/4 of the way through my life. (that sounds so pessimistic) Per wikipedia the average age of a US citizen is 77.97 yrs-- for females 80.51. (yes, i did just google that to see if my fractions were accurate)..... So anyway, I was thinking about my life and what I really want to do with it. What makes me happy?!?!? Well, to tell you the truth this is not a new question for me. I probably have been pondering this for about 6 months. (I have really gotten far huh?-- hey! dont judge)

So these have been my choices:

1. Travel Nursing: Literally pick up my life every 3 months and travel to a new city to experience everything it has while exploring the area with in its vicinity. To "Have an adventure"

           PRO- Its new! exciting! I love to travel! & meet new people! Plus, I could experience the best of what the US has to offer! Increased $$$$$$!!!! (<--- who doesnt love that?) Which means that I could become more financially stable much much much sooner than I expect and that would be a nice burden off my shoulders. (maybe even buy my big girl car ---- http://www.lexus.com/models/ISC/ )

          CON- I have to move every 3 months or more. i HATE PACKING & UNPACKING!!! really, really, detest it. I have a house here that I would have to rent out, havent really ever been a landlord, not sure i would be good at it. I dont want said tenant to ruin my nice house because I would like to come back to my home once I decide to stop travel nursing. I have two dogs-- they have to come with me (not an option-- i love them too much) but it would hard to find someone (like a dog walker) to help take care of them since I work 13 hr shifts. And if I find said dog walker, how do i know that i can trust them? Also, i have never thought that my life choices should be about or driven by $$$$.

 2. Windy City: Pick up and move to Chicago for ~ a year or so with my best friend (and possibly another friend).

           PRO- I LOVE CHICAGO!!!! It's so much fun! So much to do! Two of my friends will be moving there soon. Its close enough to visit my family on weekends or for holidays. This would be a new adventure too! New place, new people! My dogs can come with my and my friend could help out when I am at work.

          CON- Its much more expensive to live in Chicago. Still would need to find a tenant for my house. I hear the job market in Chicago is relatively hard. (not certain, if this has a direct effect on my career: nursing). Saving $$$ might be hard to do.


3. Home: Stay here in St. Louis, try and get a job in the ED or ICU and plan vacations.

          PRO- Will be close to my family and friends. Could possibly save more $$ and get my Lexus that I have been dreaming about. I work at the #6 hospital in the Nation. That says a lot and would be great to continue to have on my resume-especially if I got a job in the ED or ICU at a Trauma 1 hospital.

         CON- Wont really be having an adventure. Afraid I will feel like "I'm stuck" in St. Louis (dont get me wrong, I LOVE the StL!!! But I know that there is more out there for me to see) Will still need to figure out someone to take out my dogs when I go to work (right now my roommate does, but he is moving out soon) So either I would need to get another roommate or come up with a dog solution. (and no a doggie door will not work-- i live in the city)


I know that the most important thing to me is being happy, and to live with no regrets! Traveling makes me happy, Making memories with my friends makes me happy. Being with my family makes me happy. I have lived over seas for 5 months so I know that I can live with out my family for an extended period of time-- but I also know that I wouldnt want to be away from them forever. I know that I can make friends where ever I go, but I would miss my 3 best friends terribly.

The question is what to do? and I want to figure this out soon-- because I dont want to waste any more of my life -- I want to get up and go! do! see!

quarter life crisis--- what to do? and this doesnt even include the boy situation.  (life)