The Beautiful Chaos of Your Twenties:

The Beautiful Chaos of Your Twenties:

Yesterday, a friend of mine walked into my office to discuss an open position at SET. As we talked, she confessed something that struck a chord: "I'm such a yes girl – I just want to find my passion." When she asked what I was feeling at her age, I told her honestly: "I was a disaster." The relief that washed over her face was immediate. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is acknowledge the mess.

That conversation inspired me to share my story, not because it's particularly special, but because it's so utterly normal in its chaos. And maybe, just maybe, it will help someone else feel less alone in their journey.

The Early Days: When Nothing Makes Sense

When I was in my twenties, I had no idea who I was, what I wanted to do, or how I was going to get there. The irony? I'd always known I wanted to be an entrepreneur. It was in my DNA – that restless, driven energy that made me a natural hustler. If I wanted something, I found a way to get it. But knowing you're meant to build something isn't the same as knowing what to build.

College was where the confusion really set in. I remember sitting at University of Arizona's orientation, listening to representatives list off possible majors, and thinking, "What in the world am I doing here? None of this sounds right." It was the first time I felt completely unmoored from my own certainty.

The False Starts and U-Turns

I tried Greek life because it seemed like the thing to do. Picture this: taking personality tests and touring houses, trying to find your "perfect fit" when you don't even know who you are yet. Talk about a recipe for disaster, at least it was for me. After one semester, I did something that would become a pattern in my life: I advocated for myself. I called my dad and said I needed to come home.

Coming home didn't solve everything, but it gave me something invaluable: perspective. From the safety of my comfort zone, I could begin to map out next steps. I took classes at community college and worked as a nanny/assistant for a successful woman who would later play a pivotal role in my journey. Sometimes, what feels like a step backward is actually a step in the right direction.

Two years later, I returned to U of A – this time with more confidence but still without clarity. I met my now-husband Garrett, declared a major in Early Childhood Education (spoiler: I never became a teacher), and learned that it's okay to finish something even if it's not your ultimate destination.

Post-graduation, life threw us a beautiful curveball: an opportunity to move to Canada and learn about building a business from the ground up. Living with our boss in a new country, knowing absolutely no one, was terrifying. It was also transformative. Discomfort, it turns out, is where growth happens.

Back in the States, I landed at NBCUniversal, where I discovered my love for social media and brand building. It was there, passing cubicles and overhearing conversations about two-year waits for promotions, that I realized something crucial: the traditional path wasn't for me.

One pitch (a show I pitched at NBCUniversal called “Growing up Wildflower” a documentary-series reality show following The Carlson Sisters), one side hustle, and several leaps of faith later, I found myself sitting at Alfred on Melrose Place, waiting for a client. Watching women walk in wearing mismatched athleisure, something clicked. That moment became the seed for SET, and suddenly, at 26, after years of feeling lost, confused, and directionless, I felt purpose.

The Truth About Being Lost

Here's what I wish someone had told me earlier: feeling lost in your twenties isn't just normal – it's valuable. Those years of uncertainty, of trying and failing and trying again, they're not wasted time. They're the foundation of everything that comes next.

Every false start taught me resilience. Every U-turn showed me what didn't work, bringing me closer to what did. Every moment of confusion forced me to ask better questions about what I really wanted.

To the yes girls, the lost souls, the ones questioning everything: you're exactly where you need to be. Your twenties aren't about having it all figured out. They're about gathering experiences, collecting data points about yourself, and building the muscle to keep going even when the path isn't clear.

The secret is this: finding your passion isn't about waiting for lightning to strike. It's about moving forward, staying curious, and remaining open to possibilities. Sometimes, like in my case, your purpose finds you when you're busy looking elsewhere.

So if you're feeling lost right now, welcome to the club. You're not behind. You're not failing. You're in the beautiful, messy process of becoming who you're meant to be. And trust me, that's exactly where you should be.