This past couple months have been both amazing and awful for me, to say the least. My life has been a roller coaster. I've tried the law of attraction, and everything else. But I just can't focus on school, and I'm somehow ruining all my relationships (family and friends). The very little self esteem I had growing up, has shot down the drain. One moment I'm on cloud nine, and the next, my heart feels so alone and decaying (Bi-Polar?). The one thing that's kept me from drowning through all this depression is my new found faith in God.

Anyways, I'm midway through getting my Bachelors in MicroBiology right now, working towards my life goal to be a pediatrician and work for Doctors Without Borders. But you know, life just isn't cutting it for me; I've lost all motivation. And I'm also rethinking whether I just want to go through the same motions as everyone else (Go to school, Get a job, Work Work Work). This is my one life to live. I want to escape all of this. I need a fresh start in life. See The World!

The Solution: I've been thinking about leaving California and going to join the French Foreign Legion. It'll give me discipline, and courage, and motivation, and... Then come back in five years (five years contract), and continue towards my goal!

The Cons: Well basically I'm probably not ever going to see my friends (the few) ever again, as these friendships are already dying. I'm going to be in my twenties, starting all over again in Los Angeles, to become a doctor which already takes 10 years minimum. Basically, I'm leaving this life behind, and nothing will be the same when I come back, which I might not be ready for.

-Should I join the Foreign Legion for five years?

Anyways, any help is appreciated..


Thanks y'all!

Jesushelper76

No.

If you have schooling. You should finish it. Especially if it is something that you want to do for the rest of your life. The change you thinking about and possibly going to the legion could turn out even worse for you. You need to think it out very throughly and of course this final final decision has to be yours and yours alone.

Think about the future and doing something that you will love even though the schooling is long or possibly go to the foreighn legion for five years which would probably be harder then the ten years of schooling for becoming a doctor.

Just think about the cons and pros and I am sure you have more to add to the lists.

As far as family and friends are concerned. Or motivation. Everybody goes through these stages in life. It is up to you to let it stop you completely or move on and make changes in the way you think and live that will effect how you feel.

Friends, who needs so many of them. Is it not better to have 1 or 2 then a whole group that are not truly your friends especially during the rough times.

Your welcome, I do not know if it helped but I tried.

Joe

bluerose

Life is a roller coaster, sweetie. Or would you prefer to be stuck on the merry-go-round?

Ask anyone what the would choose - the roller coaster or the merry-go-round - I bet most if not all would choose the roller coaster. Hang in there it gets better. Honest.

J_9

No, Hun, you need to stay in school. I once heard that to join the Legion you had to give up your American Citizenship, however, I am not sure how true that is.

Also, you might want to know this about the Legion:
I searched Google and found that here

From what I have read, it sounds like school would be a much easier path.

bluerose

You will be just fine. Remember, nothing stays the same not even the tough times. Everything is changing all the time even when we are unaware of it. Plan to be a positive thinker and just watch for those positive changes.

chuff

First stay in school.

Second thing as far as motivation goes I recommend exercising at least 5 times a week. I would think you probably have a gym at your school that you can use. If not even walking for 30 minutes to an hour would do you some good and make you feel better.

Also do something for yourself every day. Even if it's small and only takes 5 minutes. Sometimes if I'm not motivated I stop what I'm doing and just observe the crystal blue skies of Florida. I used to live in Michigan where the skies were gray and depressing all year round. Just 5 minutes of that for me is great. That might not work for you but there is probably something you can do that would give you a break and motivate you.

Another thing you might want to do is just talk to yourself a little better and encourage yourself a little more. You said you have a new found faith in God so why not spend a few minutes reading the bible every day. You can also spend a few minutes reading motivational books or listening to motivational tapes. With all the stress and negativity in the world sometimes it's nice just to close your eyes and listen to somebody say something positive.

Felly123

NO!!
keep going!! dont let these stupid littl e things get in ur way!! WHO DO U EXPECT TO COMPLETE YOUR GOALS..? YOU FRIENDS & FAMILY AREN"T GONNA DO IT FOR YOU!!! im not tryen to sound like a heartless B*tch but get it together... make new friends... ur family will ALWAYS be ur family..! soo they r stuck w/ u whether either of u like it or not! when u need to get motivated just think of it this way.. UR ALMOST DONE U JUST HAVE TO TAKE A LEAP TO THE END..!! i dont even know u but it seems to me u r a strong person.. and very smart.. become a doctor.. use ur smarts dont let them all go to waste. countinue w/ your dreams and dont let ANYBODY i mean ANYBODY get in ur way to sucess!

westnlas

Wow ! Here I thought that the government of France had disbanded the Foreign Legion shortly after it brought back it's troops from Africa in the 1990's. Guess their troop enlistments must have fallen. You are correct though in not wanting to follow everyone else. I always wanted to have nice things, family, etc without exerting any effort that a job or making money requires. I spent many decades searching for the magic solution. If you find it, please follow up and let me know what it is. Even after my service in Viet-Nam, I found that living without working required sacrifices I could not ask other people to make. Alone, one can survive. Heck, incarceration is even an alternative to street living. Unfortunately, desert, jungle or mountain survival still requires many modern items that cost money. Very few of us are able and willing to live this way.
I looked at the French Foreign Legion enlistment forms and requirements. I would think that if the military is your option, you would be better off enlisting in your own country's military. Foreign Legion schools appear to be limited at best, opportunities for advancement didn't look that great for the 5 year enlistment. The contract is iron clad and the only benefit upon discharge is that you may be allowed to live in France for 10 years with the possibility of obtaining citizenship at a later time. If you are discharged early by injury, etc. you get no help. You also must provide your own transportation to France to see if you qualify.

If you wanna be a real bad dude and are qualified enough, why not try and become one of the US Air Force's pilot recovery specialists ? There are only about 100 of these guys in the world !! The training is awesome ! And you would gain a greater benefit after your discharge. But if you could qualify, why not make it a career? Probably get assignments all over the globe at some point in time.

N0help4u

Old post revived again.
Since I am here now though my thoughts are
sounds like need to look at long term outcome rather than here I am stuck in school.
Drs without borders is one of my top favorite organizations. I think that would be great

Well, where ever you are now a year and three months later hope it all worked out.