Excerpt from Chapter 10.
What Will My Future Be Like?

AM I NORMAL IN MY FEELINGS OF UNCERTAINTY AND FEAR ABOUT THE FUTURE?
— Iris, age 18

You are very normal. In fact, most kids your age don't know what they want to do in the future and this can be rather frightening. You may have a friend who's got her future all plotted out and wonder what's wrong with you. Well cool for her, but she's not the norm; most kids don't know exactly what they want to do, even by the end of high school. But, this is a good time to start focusing on some ideas. You might start a journal. Give it a fun title and write about the things you think about for your future—include your fears, your wishes, and your dreams. If you read about something that you might like to try, clip it out and put it in your "future" journal. Or, if you see something on TV or in the movies that you like, add it. For now, don't limit yourself. Put your dreams right beside your fears. Both are equally important in helping you to sort out your future.

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