Why Gap Years Matter More Than We Realize

​Gap years are when the world finally slows down enough for young people to hear their own souls. School is every day for them until the moment they graduate, with weekends mostly spent hanging out with friends or decompressing however they can. From ages 5 to 18, adults of every kind tell them what to like, what to expect, what to aim for.

So when do they ever get the chance to explore who they really are?

We ask them to choose a college major before they’ve even had time to know themselves. Before they’ve had a moment to breathe.

A gap year gives them that moment.

It’s a year to explore what they like and don’t like. Maybe that looks like internships, shadowing opportunities, or volunteer work in industries they’re curious about. Maybe it looks like trying things they’ve never had space to try.

By the end of a gap year, a young person can start to see themselves more clearly.

They’ll know if they’re analytical or people-centered.

If they thrive in fast-paced environments or slow, intentional ones.

If they want to build something of their own or work within a team.

If they’re deeply creative or prefer clear structure and direction.

Gap years save time and money — and they save identity confusion later.

Take it from me. I don’t regret studying business with a minor in health services, but I learned after the degree that behind-the-scenes work didn’t fit the people-person I am.

When I was exploring majors, I had so many desires pulling at me: journalism, fashion design (I even completed the entire entry process for the Art Institute of Illinois before learning tuition was $60,000 a semester), and business. I chose junior college to give myself more room to explore, but it wasn’t the mental break I needed. Instead, I developed a stress-related stomach condition my first year. I started having panic attacks — sometimes full-blown hallucinations. It was a lot.

I withdrew so much I had to sit out for six months and write a letter explaining everything. Before college, I was a straight‑A/B student, honor roll every year. I made my parents proud. I was celebrated often, and I became addicted to that praise. When I returned to school, I didn’t take a summer off for the next five years. I only took one more six‑month break in the middle of my undergrad and graduate program. I stayed stressed. I remember getting pink eye in both eyes, which ruined my 4.0 graduate GPA because the professor wasn’t lenient at all.

I worked in healthcare across call centers, nonprofits, and research. I was good at analytical work, but it drained me. I didn’t realize how deeply until COVID forced me into an eight‑month break — a break that reawakened my creativity and self-growth. When I returned to healthcare afterward, I felt all of that drain disappear again.

Then my state offered teaching positions to anyone with a degree and a willingness to pursue certification. I remembered my favorite childhood game was “pretend school,” where I was always the teacher. It felt aligned, so I stepped into it. Teaching brought joy — but also stress. It brought me to my knees and pushed me toward the truth: I’m meant to be a full‑time business owner.

Look at all the hoops I had to jump through just to discover myself.

This article is the beginning of many resources — not only for recent graduates, but for anyone who needs soul-searching to find their happiness and satisfaction in life.

I’ve compiled a list of opportunities for students considering a gap year.

Here’s the link to the guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DfTTT7USpPWYQd3p-PcXe3twRESkcLEvErsFMps0GvI/edit?usp=drivesdk 

Stay tuned — there’s so much more coming.

If my story spoke to something in you, come join me on Substack. I’m sharing more reflections, guides, and honest conversations about becoming who you really are. https://substack.com/@patricedavis?r=7xydb3&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile&shareImageVariant=light