Just A Query

I can't join the chorus of advocates for getting that degree here; it's a sensible idea, but I'd be a hypocrite. With no degree and a true dilettante's CV, I had to work for a few years more than you before I could afford to stop placating myself with long holidays and move overseas. The restlessness didn't end there; being rootless and bound up in constant limbo with immigration laws and limited opportunities occasionally gnawed at the thrill and romance of it all. But while I was sorting out what shape and direction I wanted things to take, I did all kinds of interesting work, picked up a few more skills, made myself look a lot wordlier on paper, went to some amazing places, and, most importantly, had enough time to spend trying out different ways of life to figure out which one made me happy. It's certainly not what I would have imagined at 22.

The glass-half-full for you: your position is utterly enviable. You're young, healthy, young, smart, and - yes- young. You know how to enjoy being alone, and you're not afraid to travel. You're a UK citizen under 30 and thus able to legally work in a greater number of countries than anyone else on earth. You have no career responsibilities holding you back from experimenting with any line of work you please, and no external pressure against pursuing whatever field of further study interests you if you're inclined. You seem to have no kids to support, no nagging spouse, and probably not a lot of burden in the material world. You probably don't even have student debts to pay off. Whatever money you can save up at home is actually worth something anywhere you could go.

All in all, you have about as much freedom to do what you please as is humanly possible, more than you'll ever have again for the rest of your life, limited only to your imagination. And you're moping? Stop that! You want to get out of Wales? Pack your bag and go. Go to Spain for awhile and keep on going, work for room and board or sling beers if you have to, live cheaply and simply, try out all the things you've ever wanted to and some you've never thought of, learn a few languages, be kind and open to everyone you meet, have lots of sex, drink lots of wine, spend lots of time out in the sun, and keep yourself in love with life. You'll eventually get older and find more pleasure in stability and routine, but while you're this young it's completely wasted on you.

...it's pretty hard to waste any years up to 35 or thereabouts...even time spent daydreaming is well spent...up til the money making time kicks in

None of this advice has been wasted because every response has made me take notice. I greatly appreciate your time. The things that make me happy right now are girls, work and independence...here I am achieving none of the above. I tried to settle down on returning home and have been stuck as a consequence. As a wise man said in this thread "Mistakes are the best teachers" - that is such a good quote. I've been worried about doing something to transform me from a naieve boy into a good man, but I am a good person already! Fate will take care of me. I've just got to think on my feet a little better. It is a crime to not enjoy myself at this age. And a crime to get stuck. Thankyou very much.

"Relationships aren't the same as they were before, and I feel like a loner with nowhere to go and nothing to do."

Perhaps you need to plan a change of location - it isn't necessary to move abroad to do that. I've read posts on this forum which hint that people who don't feel happy in one place won't feel happy in any. This isn't entirely true - people often blame their circumstances rather than themselves, but if you dont feel at home in a place it is worth thinking about where you may fit in better. I can imagine that job prospects are pretty limited in many areas of Wales - I gew up in an area of Northen England with few opportunities. Leaving was the best thing I did - I was able to meet more positive people and find meaningful work. If you think about the bright people you knew at school what are they doing now?

"I'm desperate to move to Spain to learn the language, soak up the culture and hopefully improve my career and life prospects along the way. I am doing neither stuck here at home."

If you are keen to learn Spanish and about the culture why are you doing neither at present? Can't you borrow a Spanish Linguaphone from the library and get hold of a few books about Spanish history? Set yourself a target for learning words and phrases?

Why do you think that learning Spanish will improve your career prospects? Believe me, there are very few jobs for which knowing a (single) language will open doors with no other skills to offer. Why not complete your 'a' levels - perhaps including Spanish, and preferably with the sort of subjects that will increase your skills base. Maths for example develops the sort of skills which as a 'bright boy' you would find of use in many circumstances. If you have 'lots of skills' you would be able to find a decent job with or without a degree. What skills have you thought about acquiring to give you a better chance of a decdent job either here or abroad?

If you think the lack of a degree is a problem can't you find one that includes a year in Spain?