How to live a life you won’t regret | Bryan Cranston

Aimless wandering is essential for understanding yourself. Here’s why.
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Over 60% of high school seniors in America go straight to college after graduating. Out of the other 40%, some will get jobs or internships. Some will go to trade school. And some of them might be totally lost: unsure about their future, and what they want it to look like. But Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston thinks that being lost can be a good thing.
Cranston’s own journey of self-discovery started on a two-year motorcycle trip he embarked upon with his brother in the seventies. The freedom of exploration, sleeping wherever he could lay his sleeping bag, and living without an itinerary, helped him to find what he really wanted, which was to become an actor - not a policeman, as he had thought in high school.
Overall, Cranston's message is clear: embrace the unknown, wander, and allow yourself to get lost. Through travel and exploration, one can gain a sense of direction and self-governance that can’t be found in the rigid and unrealistic expectations of a high-productivity society. To know what you really want, you have to go out and find it.
Read the full video transcript: bigthink.com/the-well/how-to-...
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[@ICDeadPeeps]

This advice is something I would've welcomed in my youth. You can't go about living your life to placate or pleasing others, even your own parents. You have to find your own path, regardless of how many twists and turns you encounter along the way.

[@YouilAushana]

I was a child prodigy and sacrificed it all for abusive parents and never got the agency I deserved. So, looking at how much I sacrificed is extremely painful everyday 💔

[@julittok]

@@YouilAushana Wrong mindset, the past causes remorse and the future anxiety. Focus on building something in the present that's the only thing you are really in control of.

[@Odinford]

Lucky Im in my youth

[@lilpain520]

Took me 18 years to realize it…

[@fishface6247]

Man I'm 34 years old. I work a entry level job for 2-3 months, quit, and then spend my time in nature and hiking/biking. Sure there are months where I'm eating beans/rice/chicken and I have an old phone but it makes me so happy. I'm a wondering man...

[@OrdnanceTV]

I'm also 34, and got fired from my long-time "safe" job right around the time you posted this comment. Being fired for the first time in my life was the most eye-opening thing I didn't know I needed. It forced me to realize that, despite burning through the meager savings I had and needing to sell things just to make rent, that being tied to a job for 10 hours a day, plus dreading going back to that job all the hours I wasn't there, was literally wasting my entire life, just for the purpose of paying bills. I would travel, if getting a passport wasn't virtually impossible right now where I live, because I feel like getting out into the world and out of my comfort zone is the only thing that will bring me any understanding.

[@allclipsintheworld]

this actually beautiful the only problem is where do u live

[@fishface6247]

@@allclipsintheworld I live in Cincinnati Ohio. It's been pretty easy to do here. At the time I wrote this I was working a job for 4 months. I quit in October and have been enjoying life ever since. I'm going on a huge hike in Kentucky tomorrow morning. On Wednesday I have an interview for a new job. I think this time around I'll be there for about a year and a half to reach some goals I have then I'll be back on it haha

[@solo_infinite5313]

To wander is a luxury and everyone cannot afford it as the most costly thing is time

[@hfjjor3681]

If you are American, join the Peace Corps. They’ll PAY you (though quite modestly) to help people in another nation. It IS possible, even if you’re low on funds.

[@mileswhite4329]

I dropped out of college and went on the road with a rhythm and blues band for two years, playing from Florida to California, growing up and having a real blast. Music was my motorcycle.

[@carrie_lol]

Being lost in a foreign country also make you realise how many wonderful people are out there who will offer a hand when you’re in need!!! ❤❤❤

[@hanswoast7]

Without first hand experience, we can only try to predict what we like and want. That's why sitting around thinking about life choices usually does not work that well. We need to do and experience a lot of stuff, before we have a somewhat reliable understanding of ourselves and the culture we live in. I think he is spot on.

[@rajdivecha]

To any young person out there: the advice given in this video is a very practical and a good advice and it works. It actually naturally comes to humans. You don’t necessarily have to go out with no or negligible money in your pocket. The core idea is to take your focus off of that is what you want. Just plant the seed in your subconscious and then let it work on it.

[@janalu4067]

It really is good advice. It's also kinda privileged??? Most young people who try this without wealthy parents will end up slaving away for a measly salary hoping to squeeze out an experience or two between shifts and on days off. Your idea to do a mindshift, a focus shift, is actually better advice. You can do that at your local library. Reading books (or audio) is like travelling in your mind; it opens new horizons. But for those struggling with mental health, keeping busy can be a lifesaver, and any education will provide that 'mission for a greater goal' feeling that will keep them from going off the rails. So maybe if education were cheap or free, they could afford to waste some years at school on education they will not use 😂, but instead, with time, gain maturity and improved mental health enough to see what it is they really want.

[@daydaymoon]

In Sweden it’s common to take a year off after high school to travel, grow as a person, etc before going to college. For me I worked at a nuclear power plant for six months after high school and I made enough money to be able to travel California and Mexico for six months before college.

[@AhirZamanSairi]

I'm sorry, what do you mean by "take the focus off of what you want" ? Isn't the whole point to focus on taking time off to find _the_ focus you want?

[@janalu4067]

@@AhirZamanSairi I am guessing you are young. Let me tell you, the things you want as a young person are not what you want when older. You don't necessarily know what you want until you know a little more about what is out there. How will you know if you like something you never encountered? Far too many young people don't have a passion, something they stand for. It is not a character flaw, it's lack of experience. There is also the case of young people who have grown up in a certain environment, and it has sort of pushed them to think they want something. That is their focus. I think that is what he means by losing focus. Only when they allow themselves to see in a new way, do they get to widen their horizon. That may lead to choosing a new path, or realizing they were home and exactly where they needed to be all along. It depends.

[@AhirZamanSairi]

@@janalu4067 Totally agree with every point there, I guess it came out wrong, I wasn't intending for my statement to be in an opposing manner, I was simply unsure about the grammatical expression of the commenter, but you cleared that up as well, thx

[@gaylepeeples9749]

I have a terrible sense of direction and 'get lost' frequently. I've discovered some of the coolest places this way. It's no longer a source of stress like it used to be.

[@ethancbaker2002]

So I should break bad?

[@connor5964]

Im lost, everyone figured out what they wanna do, and it feels like im waiting on a miracle to happen

[@S.P.O.R.K221]

Don't worry about it dude, life isn't some race to be the most rich or famous. It's ok not to know what you want to do! I was in your position not too long ago, it took me a little while but I found what I want to do and I'm sure you will too. Just take a step back for a while and think about what you want to do and it'll come to you I promise!

[@readrushreviews]

If you really want to live a life you won't regret, remember to always double-check your chemistry before attempting to cook anything in an RV.

[@anthonyneilbreganza7410]

“Alleth, we need to cook!”

[@pprehn5268]

"Every Seven Years Go Out Among Strangers Lest the Memories of Who You Think You Are, Prevent You From Realizing You Have Become.

[@LCTesla]

it's called flaneurship. the opposite of tourism. the art of meaningful wandering.

[@The-Well]

Thanks for the new vocab word!

[@LCTesla]

@@The-Well thanks, I owe it to Nassim Taleb myself, a self-professed flaneur who described the term as such.

[@stevewynne8331]

I feel like this advice can also be applied to everyday life without traveling. Instead of staying in your house explore your city without any intention and meet new people along the way.

[@dangerous_tangerine]

I regret going to college. I only went because my family expected it of me. Now I'm graduated and have a useless degree that I am not going to use. My family is all shocked like why didn't I use my degree. Because I never wanted the fucking thing. I only went because of you all. I am exploring new avenues now and I am starting to see the wisdom is Bryan's words. It all takes time to some extent. Even what I went through. Based on who I was at the time, I don't think I could have made a different decision. I can only decide what I do now.

[@weirdandthensome]

The only way is to keep moving forwards and learning from life

[@David-nu6kw]

This is why camping is so beneficial for so many reasons.

[@nzacara6096]

6 minutes of better advice than my own parents advice my whole life with them

[@RightBoyKA-POW]

2:15 The father of all life advices!

[@terry-jung]

This resonates so much w me, as someone who’s lived and worked in 5 different countries, travelled to 30+ countries, and stayed at 70+ accommodations, I agree w Bryan. I definitely travel because i know i get wiser every time i do it and i found myself by doing so.

[@andydixon2980]

My biggest regret is not travelling when I was 18/19. I would have been an entirely different person growing into a confident young man, instead of the depressed mess I became. Been trying to make it up every since now I'm nearly 50. Go travel kids!!!

[@ronjakatariina]

I just went travelling for five months. In a lot of ways I feel like a different person than before leaving. Now I'm back in my home town. Feeling even more lost and depressed than before... Even travelling can make one a depressed mess I guess :D

[@scholaroftheworldalternatehist]

I feel like travel doesn't change you, it just distracts you. When I think back to whatever trips I took, I didn't notice a significant change in mindset before/after. Also I pretty much forgot everything that happened in the trips apart from what I documented.

[@VeganWithAraygun]

A few months back, I was in Bhairahawa & Lumbini, in Pokhara for Holi festival and again in Kathmandu.I love seeing what's out there with no map, specific destination or plan. As I also did in Chennai & Mumbai, I would just walk miles not knowing where I was going and somehow figure out my way back to my lodging. After leaving a Thamel district night club, through scores of others leaving after closing time, I continued on through every dark alley and unlit street. Suddenly I shined my flashlight in a big public square and saw a familiar face, the Narasimha that was the backdrop for justice and judgements. A kind rickshaw sensed I was gloriously lost and I accepted the ride. It was almost 3am, and I was so tired. I gladly handed him ₹1000 NPr. Get lost and have an adventure. Whether hiking or trekking the Himalayas or slicing through unknown rural villages and city districts, I'm happy just to be there. I love Nepali people & the folks in Tamil Nadu.

[@SS-hv7bo]

I lost my marbles at 17 and never really got them back now that I'm 24 and just out of uni because I couldn't deal with the weight of being told as a kid at 17 to decide who I wanted to be.There is just no forcing some things,you can do it the easy way or the hard way.

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Your still a kid at 24!

[@pajamasam5461]

I've been going through a rough patch, and wow, this so resonates with me. I've been adamant I should go travel for a bit. I'm 33. I don't think it's too late to do it.

[@The-Well]

Definitely not. And hey, you'll never be younger than you are now 😃

[@JD-sc7bd]

If you still breathing, it's not too late

[@TheDoomer666]

​@@The-Well thanks, wise words to go by; I'm 31 and I realise I need to take action now

[@bartonthroop9116]

Definitely felt this. I have been going through a deep depression and I haven’t left my state in 3 years. I’m 33 as well. I feel like I need new experiences and travel more.

[@itamar5096]

@@bartonthroop9116it will all get better! ❤

[@RealMiia]

I really loved the taking year off the high school part. I remember back when the outbreak started in 2020 and it was national lockdown, everything shutdown. Those two years off school played a really significant part for my personality or atleast becoming self aware and recognize how much of a state i was living in.

[@raraao]

If I take a break after high school, I will mostly forget the exam information to get into university. What should I do?

[@RealMiia]

@@raraao well at best you keep reviewing those old notes from school to retain some of the information And lets say if ya get the idea of what you wanna do in uni then you can learn about it before ya start uni

[@izucutiepie]

Absolutely fantastic advice. I went to a 4 year college right after high school because that’s what was expected of me and I thought that’s what I HAD to do to be successful and have a good, respectful life. Throughout college, I changed majors so much, and didn’t even settle into one until halfway through my third year. It took me an extra year to graduate because of that, but I learned that that’s okay. And I learned that going to community college is a valid option, going to a trade school after high school is a valid option, NOT going to school right away is a valid option, and so many more things. I did complete college with a studio art degree, but I graduated in 2021…. And felt so lost and so confused and so underprepared to go into the world while we were baaaarely coming out of Quarantine. So I took the next year and a half to just exist and work a part time job and pay my own rent and learn how the world works as an adult on my own, before moving back home with my mom (she lives alone and really wanted me back home). I finally settled on becoming an art therapist and I’ll be going back to school for that this fall, but I truly don’t think I would have come to that conclusion if it weren’t for that break. Or at least, wholeheartedly come to that conclusion and be happy with it. My mom was suggesting that option for a long time, but as a Filipino, all my relatives want me to go into some sort of medical field, so I never gave it any thought because “it’s what my family wants, not what I want” but after some time and exploring, I came back to it and thought “hmm, I do want to be an art therapist” but not because it’s what other people want from me, but because it’s what I want for myself. I wouldn’t have come to that conclusion if it weren’t for that year and a half where I just focused on me and what I’m good at and passionate about.

[@ardhraaneesh1256]

What you have written is a wonderful advice on its own.Really good in reading it. Go on living your life the same ...explore every shades of it.!! ❤

[@sh.fabreo2639]

lol I feel that Filipino nursing pathway

[@struggler8532]

This takes me back to high school when I would take my bycicle wherever, just seeing new parts of the nearby cities and feeling free.

[@The-Well]

Sounds awesome.

[@beerman204]

How you should live your life, as defined by others, is simply a narrative, a story, no matter how prevalently agreed on. Make your own story. F k what anybody else says about your path....at any age. Live like a 25 year old at 80 if you want.

[@uffu2490]

As someone who has traveled Europe during college, he is absolutely right. When you don’t know where you are in a different country, you need to develop street smarts and that’s so valuable. Please, don’t go to college right out of high school and, instead, work shitty restaurant gigs then go travel. I miss it dearly and I wouldn’t change what I experienced.

[@mohamedaityoussef9965]

2:35 at this exact time stamp i was filled with joy. i didn't exactly travel but i took a year of after high school to really think about what i'm doing with my life and i ended up wanting to be a software engineer, and i'm currently going on that path, you can say it was really helpful to just break the norm for once

[@Cpl.sandman]

This put a tear to my eye Edit. I love Bryan did his own thing And not be told what to do ❤

[@cheekychoc5132]

Parents shouldn’t tell kids to be a dr, Artist, businessman at age 17-18. It usually fucks up the kid. Help them learn to self govern, make choices, act in their own best interest. No shame. No coercive control. Some parents can’t help themselves.

[@andobil]

Brain Cranston what a legend... That right the universe is essentially chaos... But that's how life work's... Much love from BIL NSW Australasian outsider superflat artist Total freedom is how to live...

[@Syco108]

This is exactly the message we need to spread to our youth. I skipped this part of my life and have suffered greatly for it.

[@allclipsintheworld]

this is what should be taught in our schools . if you dont care about maths you should take the basics of it and choose another thing to learn about that youre actually passionate about

[@Vascorps]

I just finished highschool 5 months ago, i turned 18 4 months ago, and my parents wont stop pushing me to get a job, I haven't had a moment to think about my future, or what i want to chase after in life. I feel so pressured, and with so many expectations, I can't help but think all these dark thoughts.

[@poop917]

I’m in the same position as you

[@allclipsintheworld]

get a part time until you figure it out and by figure it out i mean experince a lot of things to khow what you like and what you dont . Go hiking camping travelling go in a marathon just for the experience go fishing ...

[@onlypearls4651]

He IS the one who knocks!

[@yahli3727]

As a 15 year old this helped me think things out a lot more and reassure myself that I don’t need to know what I want to do or where I want to go whatsoever. I take a class in school that is strictly based on college and career and I find it really stupid because I don’t understand why I should be asked these questions at my age at all. The only plan I really have right now, is to take a few years off of school before or if I go to college and just see the world

[@The-Well]

We think this is a great plan-and it seems Bryan Cranston would agree! You’ve got this!

[@rohithmadhu1663]

The Path of self discovery is blessed with every individual in this planet. Some embrace it. Some limit themselves to their visible sight. I suppose the whole of life is to know that it is the ultimate purpose to let yourselves break in the journey and find out the pieces which are worth living for.

[@navid24601]

And then, a couple of decades later this man realized his true passion was cooking.

[@jlwilder8436]

Really cool. Bryan Cranston has always seemed like a pretty genuine human. 😊

[@addictedow9551]

To me this sounds like common sense but not to enough people especially older people. I can understand why though, as we get older its harder to relate to younger people and vice versa.

[@Robinson8491]

"Such a beautiful sight out here in the Swiss mountains" - "That's Bryan Cranston meandering his way through Europe"

[@weinbergerr]

Love him so much. Great advice

[@katiaantonova6949]

I really needed this and am So glad it popped up in my feed ✨

[@AA-qs4ju]

Much luv for Bryan

[@SaniyaSachinm]

Thanks You So Much from this Video to Learn More Knowledge and improve myself.

[@renaeplaylist8399]

Thank you !!!! Thank you !!!! Thank you. !!!!! For a moment there I honestly thought I was listening to myself speaking 😊 When I raised my 3 children this was the exact advice that I gave them, now that my children are grown adults and having see them live the advice I gave them all those years ago, I can whole heartedly say that it was the best piece of advice I could have ever passed onto them. I have been and continue to be questioned and told by numerous people in my family, friends, social and community groups that my outlook on the world is distorted, that I am delusional and so forth ... in my opinion, the majority of the human population need to learn to be open minded, be open to educating themselves on issues they don't fully understand and to be less controlling and more supportive 😊

[@jrighteous1984]

This is what i always tell people , ill also add that you learn alot about the world , experiencing different cultures and exploring landmarks and momentum is something that you have to experience! Me and my family travel a ton , we left the country 3 times this year alone , next month we are visiting 3 more countires and we are excited ! . We travel about 10 to 12 times a year and we couldn't be happier

[@darbs1977]

This is so on point 💯👌🏻

[@Bazzguit]

I love you Bryan Cranston

[@donjuan3408]

Love this guy

[@manamohana999]

Thank you

[@greggronson6859]

Walter White adjusting to life as Bryan Cranston very nicely!

[@anishamm685]

Nice advice. I am someone who used to just wander in other countries and get in contact with the local people.

[@bertkreft9689]

i love it 👍 i enjoy - not knowing where i am - it's a nice experience - sometimes...

[@Daydream2142]

Highly recommend his book

[@EyesOfByes]

I took 20 years off after high school 🫤

[@B.Whittaker]

Still got time

[@Rafael-oi6dj]

Very good advice for people of all ages

[@lisamareeaccary5132]

I absolutely love Brian Cranston ❤ there’s that something about him

[@ReynaSingh]

Great video. Keep it up

[@The-Well]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@spinoknight]

Amazing advice from an amazing actor

[@The-Well]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@NetiNeti25920]

As someone who has been in the US and Canada, on and off since 10 years, the biggest difference I found as a foreigner is the absolute lack of travel culture. In Europe, UK, Aus NZ, and even Japan Taiwan and South Korea - a gap year after high school grade 12, before beginning college/uni is a rite of passage. Volunteering in Africa, Asia or even LatAm is a part of adulting. While American mostly just drink, party, smoke marijuana, or gamble. Sure there are a few exceptions, but this is the general observation. And don't tell me it's because life is expensive. It's a culture thing.

[@zuupack]

Brian Cranston sounds like my typa guy

[@Ruleta]

Getting lost in the sense of where u are is okay and even welcome but getting lost in the sense of losing your ways I really do not recommend the only thing you learn is how bad things can get and it's really no use when they're that bad if u do survive to get back to where u were all you'll have left is where u were; So please don't play this game, don't get lost in this sense you'll struggle to find yourself and this is if you even make it. When you start doing drugs, giving money to other's, accepting things you shouldn't or wouldn't it's not only that you will be taken advantage of, it's that you'll be taken advantage of so much that you won't have anything not even where to stand your feet in order to get up again.

[@lony1329]

This talks reminds me of "Into the Wild" - great movie for those who haven't seen it

[@OrdnanceTV]

If you're a highschooler watching this, I would personally suggest you take a year off after. Yes, people will say you shouldn't because "you might not go to college", and they're right, you might not, likely because you'll realize what makes you happy isn't in an academy, but elsewhere in the world.

[@orlandizzo88]

I was definitely fully baked when I was 16 years old haha

[@jayeshagrawal696]

What did you do

[@i_smoke_ghosts]

wow . thank youall for sharing this . i dunno much about the man but wow. Legend.

[@The-Well]

Cheers, glad you liked it!

[@practice4089]

who hasn't gotten lost while on vacation/traveling and loved every moment?! This kind of fun is best had on foot. --I know I'm somewhere in Granada Spain, but where does this street go? (time before cell phones. turn it off)

[@missusmoon3867]

My Navy career showed this small town girl the world! ❤️

[@Khanh_Phan_Tan_LK]

It means go out doing what you want you like and then u will realize what you are to become next

[@huyennth5745]

His message is much clearer to me now. Tysm

[@SammyxSweetheart.02]

2:16

[@mariAAAAAA_r]

That scenario scares me to death I know it's the best advice for people my age, but just thinking about it paralyzes me Idk, turning 20 made me so fearful of absolutely everything, even the tiniest risk makes me so nervous I truly wished I could do that without the weight of responsibilities tho

[@kathleenwharton2139]

I am Safe and Free to Love in Peace! 😊❤

[@omar.22.]

Great advice

[@Pepperoni-Tony]

Go read or listen to his biography, it's amazing.

[@mangalpal8921]

Thats what I do❤❤

[@goat9199]

Bryan Cranston's advice on how to get killed on the streets.

[@SomebodyCalledMincers]

Waltin white really teaches good lessons!

[@DefeatedMelon]

Careers I wanted by age: Age 8: Animator/show director Age 9: Anomator/show director Age 10: Animator/show director Age 11: Animator/show director Age 12: Animator/show director Age 13: ... Age 14: Lawyer? Age 15: Lawyer Age 16: Lawyer... Age 17: Animator? Lawyer?

[@91722854]

I will apply myself, Mr. White!

[@lamnguyenduc6216]

Thank you Mr. White.

[@abbasmahammed2514]

Wow, this came to me at the exact right moment. I was thinking about it for a while now, time to pack my bags.

[@The-Well]

Good luck on your journey!

[@arianne0516]

Where can i watch the full version?

[@tomhale2966]

not all who wander are lost

[@NaturalHealingAlchemist]

🙏

[@hakimdiwan5101]

What one can do to find themselves, when they don't have enough freedom to travel and explore?

[@turolretar]

Alright broooos, gonna go and get baked hahaha

[@chicken1696]

if only i had thia video when i was 21 years old. now i am 26 and i don't remember shit from my college.

[@allclipsintheworld]

never too late youre young i khow people who went to med school in 40s

[@chicken1696]

@@allclipsintheworld wow that is old. but i wish them well in their study.

[@treznopresto4878]

I'm suprised the comments are not about Breaking Bad, or memes.

[@jamesbyrne9312]

He is a workaholic, so take what he says lightly

[@AndyRoidEU]

What did he actually say and advise?

[@paleamigo8575]

This is good advice. The one thing I would consider changing is to attend college or the U.S. Military immediately after high school. Both the military and college are easier pills to swallow the younger you are, and you typically will never regret either. After either, you are more mature and have been somewhat responsible for yourself for 3 or 4 years before wandering around in a foreign country and you've got the military or college on your resume when you're ready to return back to the business world.

[@johnrodgers2018]

Travelling is college in a way

[@justchillGuys]

If Our Indian Parents Understand Brian Words I guess we became a more good persons

[@feisaldaniel]

What about your brother? How did his wandering turn out?

[@riowatson3574]

Wait.....is this Hammond Druthers from How I Met Your Mother?

[@rakusko33]

"I realized I wouldn't become a policeman" So he became Heisenberg.

[@user-qo7ei8hg6k]

I would like to know when Bryan Cranston has the flu or a bad cold I would like to see what he looks like. If I still think he is cute then he is husband material. God made man when it comes to Bryan. Hope he like listening to the pet shop boys music.

[@bonquva]

Just like tyler the creator says lol !

[@kiraduy3079]

Everybody gangster until the police swept up your sleeping place

[@The-Well]

Too real 😬

[@romaneo789]

Peace Corp requires a degree or equivalent experience now.