Can I do it all? Your right path, one choice at a time

But what do you do when you want to do it all? How do you know if you’re choosing the right path?  

It’s something I’ve thought about so often: ‘I want to do it all.’ And yet, half the time, I’d end up so overwhelmed that I’d do nothing at all.  

I’m no stranger to life’s stresses. A life-altering breakup, a solo move across the world, and the general chaos of unpacked childhood trauma have all shaped me. So it’s not exactly shocking that  I’ve questioned my decisions—where I’m going, what I’m doing, and whether it’s “right.” At times,  it felt like those doubts were exposing me as a stressed, unhappy person without a clear direction.  

David Allen once said, “You can do anything, but not everything.” At first glance, it’s an inspiring idea—a reminder that life is full of endless possibilities. But for me, it was also terrifying. The sheer freedom to choose anything in life felt overwhelming. Picking just one path seemed impossible.  The questions lingered: why couldn’t I have it all? Did wanting so much mean I wasn’t capable of achieving it? 

The possibilities felt endless. One moment, I imagined myself living on a farm with 50 Highland cows, running barefoot in a field. Next, I pictured sipping coconuts after a morning surf on a deserted island. Sometimes, I’d fantasise about flipping my identity completely—becoming a spy,  dedicating my life to adventure. And other times, I’d imagine moving to a fast-paced city, grabbing after-work beers with office finance bros. (This last one couldn’t be further from what I actually  want, but hey, it’s nice to know the option exists, right?) 

The world is your oyster, but there’s no map. No right or wrong. Just the choice you make.  

Being a young woman often feels like you have to pretend you’re the opposite —like you’ve got it all figured out. (Spoiler: nobody actually expects you to.) But there’s this unspoken pressure to project success, especially in your 20s and 30s. Instagram is flooded with wedding posts, baby shower invites, and job promotions. Some friends never leave your small hometown; others can’t seem to stop traveling. Some vanish completely, while others document *everything* to the point where you could track their exact movements on a map.  

And then there’s you. Stuck in your own head, comparing. Wondering how life might have turned out if you’d made different choices—if you’d stayed with that person, taken that job, or booked that plane ticket. The thoughts linger, but they don’t change the reality. The only thing that matters is where you are now and what you choose to do next. Here’s the truth: the “right”  decision was the one you made. The one that led you to where you are now. It may not have turned out the way you expected, but the idea that life should look a certain way is a joy killer.  Whether it’s a lesson or a blessing, you’re exactly where you’re meant to be.  

I’ve been asking myself a lot of questions lately… 

Would life be easier if someone just told me how to live it? 

Would I be happier if I knew exactly how it was all going to turn out? 

The answer is always no. 

The process—the not knowing—is what makes life worth living. It’s the surprises, the detours, and even the setbacks that shape you. If someone handed you a script of your entire life, you’d probably feel trapped. You’d miss out on the excitement of discovery, the satisfaction of solving problems, and the pride that comes from navigating the unknown. The uncertainty can be scary,  sure, but it’s also where the magic happens.

Letting go of attachment to the outcome doesn’t mean giving up on your goals; it means loosening your grip on how things “should” look. It means focusing on the steps you’re taking today—the ones that align with your values and dreams—rather than obsessing over the finish line. When you do this, you start to feel a sense of clarity and control in the moment you’re in. You can appreciate how far you’ve come instead of fixating on how far you think you have to go. And honestly,  nobody really knows what they’re doing when they start something new—or where they’ll end up.  Life doesn’t come with a manual, and even the most successful people you admire have faced uncertainty, doubt, and failure. The difference is, they kept going. They showed up for themselves,  day after day, even when things felt impossible. They made mistakes, adjusted their plans, and kept moving forward. 

The truth is, success isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about being willing to try, to risk failing, and to trust that you’ll find your way. Every wrong turn teaches you something valuable. Every small step builds momentum. And the more you try, the more you grow—and the closer you get to the life that feels authentically yours. 

So maybe the key isn’t about choosing one path and sticking to it forever. Maybe it’s about embracing the journey, taking one step at a time, and reminding yourself that it’s okay to change course along the way. After all, there’s no map. And that’s the point.