Turning 25 tomorrow, and it feels like the weight of finding a sense of purpose gets heavier with each passing year. In a world that’s constantly shifting and full of chaos, trying to figure out a clear, defined path seems harder than ever. The older I get, the more I feel this need to have everything figured out, to know exactly where I’m headed. But lately, I’ve come to realise that maybe it’s okay if I don’t have all the answers yet.

Instead of obsessing over having a perfect path laid out for me, I’ve started to focus on something a little more flexible: holding onto a few key ideals and working towards them. I don’t need a fully formed path ahead of me; I just need some principles I believe in and can incorporate into my life. Things I’m passionate about, causes I care for, and actions that reflect what matters most to me. That’s where I’ve started to see clarity.

It’s not about a clear-cut destination or having everything figured out. It’s about having the right ideals and then taking small steps to support them, whether that’s financially or just through everyday actions. For me, that’s been supporting causes I truly believe in. Things like mental health advocacy, digital rights, press freedom, and animal welfare. Organisations like The Banyan, Internet Freedom Foundation, The Reporters’ Collective, and Paw Saviour represent those values for me. They do work that directly aligns with what I care about, and supporting them feels like a meaningful way to live in line with my beliefs.

I don’t have it all figured out, and that’s okay. I don’t need to have my whole life mapped out. What matters is that I’m actively supporting causes that mean something to me. Instead of a perfectly laid-out path, a few ideals that guide my actions could be the best way forward. And maybe, just maybe, that’s enough to eventually lead me to the right path.

You have to start with the truth. The truth is the only way that we can get anywhere. Because any decision-making that is based upon lies or ignorance can’t lead to a good conclusion.

Julian Assange