[adamsea]

See a therapist, volunteer, exercise, journal, or do something to help with one's own mental health and personal growth.

Seems like this issue is why folks choose to spend their time the way they do. It's understandable. But, there's no point in being like "XYZ is the way to go", unless we're talking about someone who is already motivated and already making an effort, but hasn't been able to find something that's right for them.

And I'd bet that's a minority.

Plus of course the answer would depend on individual circumstances.

[tumblerz]

I agree that the issue is "why," but I also know the answer: they cannot ascertain a path forward. I do agree with your general advice, however. Health and involvement in groups are foundational.

As an example, a friend from this age group, but crucially, without a child, powered through a coding camp at 14-16 hours a day for several months and has had, to her, well-paid and fulfilling work since then. But, most would have difficulty carving out that kind of time, while also questioning a successful outcome (edit: in short, opportunity cost comes to be seen as very dear. This certainly does not excuse wasted time, but if you actually do not know where to invest time....).

The truly motivated are indeed a minority, but again, I perceive that as often a product of not seeing a path in the forest: sensing promise in no direction, they wander. Taking the metaphor further, and drawing on my meager SAR training, lost people wander until they needn't or cannot--the tools they need are a map and compass rather than will.

[adamsea]

Totally. And my apologies if I implied a lack of "will" was the issue - God knows I struggle enough with that.

I think that "the path forward" is a mix of things. Often we have opportunities we have not tested, and, part of the path forward is discovering how to change our habits, environments, or thought patterns.

One of which is reaching out for help.

And sometimes you are absolutely correct; there may be no path. But, people's life circumstances differ so much, and any kind of change like this requires effort, commitment over time, and continuing on past roadblocks, that I doubt "an answer" is the right approach for individual people.

Usually it's the walking of the path that's trickier than ascertaining the path itself. Usually there's at least a glimmer of what might be a path ... except for the darkness within ourselves.

Now, governments, institutions, yes - I do believe our institutions should provide more opportunities for people.

[tumblerz]

I should apologize for reducing your response to that.

Agreed regarding "darkness within ourselves." I see (and perform, myself) plenty of self-defeat in the form of discarding possible paths because of hypothetically insurmountable external obstacles.

That said, I think there usually is a path, but many are unsure how to identify it.

Any way, clearly I need to consider and clarify my question!