“Figured out” to "Figuring out"

X: So, what are you doing nowdays, what are you working on? What is your job?
Y: I am doing this currently. I am interested in this, this and this. Just figuring out...

Have you engaged in such a conversation, saw or heard? I have.

It is seemingly dreadful at first. Because one is expected to reply a perfect answer. One word or two or three words to explain one's job/work/career.

But then splurting "Just figuring out" seems to be the only way to explain. Many a times, this response might raise eyebrows, while to others it appears to be 'cool'.

But what does "Figuring out" really means and why are we afraid or unafraid to say it? Here’s my understanding of "Figuring out".

Traditionally and even now, people have one vocation or profession. Doctor or Teacher or Social Worker or Lawyer or Youtuber or Illustrator or Chef. Etc.

We live in a world with diversity in terms of species, places, things and the like. All interconnected to serve the purpose of some system.

Then, why can't a human being who is also a human system inhabiting larger systems exhibit diversity in mindset, skills, passion and 'exploration'.

Why don't we do a course, read a book, or anything to understand, think and just because we feel like pursuing it to unravel answers?

We are curious beings. Exploring stuff, reading, studying, working on projects that serves the humanity and planet in different forms could be adventurous.

Psychology. Philosophy. Law. English. Gender. Peacebuilding. Education. Writing.

I am keen to study it all and more. Why limit myself?

For a long time and even now it is difficult for me to explain it to myself why I am doing what I am doing in the context of a "career". But now I am beginning to realise that it isn't important. If I have interest in studying a field, I will study that. Most importantly, am I using that knowledge, skill, insight in my daily life? I might pursue a career in it or maybe not.

It’s okay to say you are figuring out, we all are. Figuring out is a continuum, from accepting, saying it out loud, pursuing, applying, being unsure and maybe starting again.

And in the process of figuring out, your essence crystallizes — unfolding possibilities which just clicks.

In that moment, everything you accumulated throughout these years of 'figuring out' gives light to someone who needs it the most.

So, let’s continue the conversations on figuring out and help each other out too.

We can figure out together because together could make the process better. We are more common than we are different.

Why always walk alone?