I think I was the exception to the rule and never really knew what I wanted to do. I just wanted to play with friends and get out and stir up some shit! Funny how one of my kids is in that same boat while the other one seems to know exactly what she wants to do.
I have been thinking about the "you can be whatever you want to be" lately. While I am a bit concerned about how is has shifted more to "you are whatever you pretend to be," that could just be my vintage. ;)
One thing I know for sure, if you want to be something, it sure as hell isn't going to happen (anything difficult or substantial that is) unless you believe you can, and do what it takes to become that. Mostly the hard stuff that will scare most people off.
So, I tell them they can be whatever they want to be if they are willing to do what most people are not willing to do. You have to suspend a little disbelief and failing while daring boldly and challenging yourself is better than Gen X cynicism if anything special is going to be made happen.
It seems to be the norm for people to have the expecttion that things will happen the way they want them to without any effort at all, I speak generally of course. It's not the case of course. Effort is required and many other elements and for those willing to put it in then things can happen.
We live in a world where people can choose to identify as the opposite gender, or even no gender...so why not delude oneself that one is an astronaut or a brain surgeon, fighter pilot or whatever. It's easy, just identify as that. 🤐