does anyone get to do what they want to do with their life?

I think you asked a very good question. The scary thing in life is that the things that you think will make you happy really don't make you happy. That extends to everything-- relationships, career, and family.

The problem is with saying-- "I will be happy if [fill in whatever]."

There is a theory called "hedonic adaptation," which is a fancy term for the concept that an individual will achieve the exact same level of happiness no matter what positive or negative things happen to him/her. So even if you don't have the job you thought you wanted as a kid, it doesn't mean you are unhappy because you lack that job. You would be unhappy anyway. Or you'd be happy anyway.

I know more than a few people who wanted to become attorneys. And once they became attorneys, they hated practicing law. And you know what? The legal profession is so negative, I am mystified how anyone could be happy doing it.

I am not doing what I dreamed of doing as a child. But I found other things to like about what I do. And that makes me happy. Or maybe I am just as happy as I would have been anyway.


___________________________________
Never say never...

"Oh how'd you have a happy life, if you did the things you like" - Franz Ferdinand, The Dark Of The Matinée.

I remembered these lyrics when i read this, that question hits everybody at some point in their lives i guess, i have had a happy childhood, high school years were alright, but adulthood is not really going well for me right now.

I'm 20 years old and not doing what i dreamed of, not in the slightest, but thats the way of life i suppose, i hope someday i find a job i like, only had 2 jobs.

1st one was paying good but it was exhausting, hours were too long, 10-12 hour shift, i woke up, went to work, came home around ~8 pm tired as *beep* and straight to bed.
I remember asking myself sometimes "is this it???? is this how adult life is supposed to be?" i was 18 at the time, so that was hard on me because i wanted to hang out more, to party and simply to have more free time.

My 2nd job was more enjoyable even tho it was really hard at times, it was a seasonal job, labor work for minimum wage.

Right now i'm not doing anything important, no job, no gf, barely any friends left, they are all scattered, in college or having jobs in different places, most of them are even moving to different countries, they all moved on with their lives y'know?, its the most natural thing to do and i am not doing that, somehow i can't and its bothering me.

I don't know if i answered your question, i'm just blabbering, but the way i imagined myself in high school is not the way i am now, i'm socializing much less than before.
but for now my "life goal" is to find a job i'll enjoy, you know what i mean? without waking up and thinking "holy *beep* do i really need this job, i *beep* hate it"


I am sorry if this went on for too long,
at this moment i hope you are doing what you love,
cheers!

It does for some people.