I think where'd I be in 10 years has morphed over the years, specifically in recent years.
At age 15 (2001- so at age 25) - married, college graduate with possibly one-two child(ren). I saw myself working outside the home, but figured that I would live close enough to family that there would be a support system in place for the child.
At age 20 (2006- by age 30) - by 20, I was engaged. I saw myself owning a home (which wasn't specified before), having 4 children and looking forward to sending a child to school everyday. I figured I would be steady in my (part-time) job, have a loving husband that took the reins for the most part with financial decisions and decisions in general. I would be a college graduate from Nursing and I would work shifts in a clinic or hospital.
At age 22 (2008- by age 32)- I was engaged and married to someone else. I saw myself owning a home, having 4-5 children- 3 of which, were probably adopted. I worked full-time in an administrative position in a hospital and was a steady job and income. I made the majority of the household decisions, but I was extra supportive of my husband and his book writing and taking care of the children. We were both successful in our jobs and Steven had sold his first major book- very exciting! Our lives were just on the cusp of changing majorly again (with Steven selling his first book). We would make such a difference in the world once we reached some realm of 'the top'.
At age 24 (2010- by age 34) - my marriage had fallen apart and I was almost at the bottom of an endless abyss before another man came and pulled me out. As his mother planned our wedding (before he even asked), I saw myself owning a home (his, of course) and being a stay at home mother with max 3 children. I would be more into domestic activities and had a hobby of selling homemade crafts online through Etsy. We loved to travel and see the world, I was fluent now in 3 languages, all of which the children spoke. I also wrote a cook book which I published free online based on feeding families with low-income status (like using food stamps in recipes).
At age 25 (2012- by age 35) - all of my relationships had ended harshly and I ran away at the first opportunity I had- to Texas. I honestly had no future goals, and I don't really have any now. I would've been surprised that something happened in 10 years. I saw myself possibly owning a home- but I would just be acquiring one. I lived alone, but I found some happiness. My life was to serve others and I volunteered and buried myself in every service I could. My life was empty, but at least I was helping someone else along their way. I had my dogs- both were big dogs. It was still a hassle to train them as they were young. I was working on becoming a travelling nurse so I could at least see the world some. I don't really do much on my own- it just isn't much fun, but this was my life and I had long learned to cope with it. I think that it was at this point that I had begun to endure to the end.
At age 26 (2013 - by age 36) - I honestly think I'm afraid to make future plans because they always end up changing so drastically. By the end of 2012, I had decided not to make future plans until I found someone else to make them with. That's stupid. What if I don't find 'that person'? I was always told to plan for myself. The bishop's wife of my old ward explained that even once we die- all the single people will be servants and angels to those in the Celestial kingdom- even if they're in the Celestial kingdom themselves. That's comforting. And although the promise that every blessing will be available- it may not happen for everyone- it will just be available.
So at this very moment- I have no clue where I will be in 10 years. I could be in an apartment, I could be in a house. I could own a cat, I could own a chinchilla. I could work at this job, I could have a new job doing something completely different. I could be in process of adopting children, I could decide that I wasn't meant to have children (as many people have told me- thank you very much). I could be married, I could be single. I could be living in Texas, I could be living in another state, I could be living in a different country. I could speak English, I could speak another language completely. I could do something completely idiotic and stupid in the coming years and be dead (thinking skydiving or cliff diving accident- since I'm new to these things). I may still have outstanding student loans (plan on it actually) or I could somehow come into some money or job opportunity that wipes them clean- who knows, maybe some president will just forgive them entirely. I could even double my student loan if I decide to go back to school.
All in all- I don't know where I'll be in 10 years. I'm not even sure what I want exactly. I would love to say I would be a mother, own a home, have 4 children beginning school, work full-time, etc. For fear that everything would change, I'm not willing to do that to myself, I want to live for today. I've walked the track of being the wife and mother and it has never worked and it has nearly destroyed me every time. All the endless prayers to take away my pain (sorry, I'm a complainer) and that my burden was too much to bear, I don't wish on anyone, and that includes myself. To avoid the exceeding heart break that I fear my heart won't bear anymore- I will take life as it comes.
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