Ugh, first world problems. I'm currently considering a Ph.D at age 26, but this kind of story fills me with a strange loathing and determination not to fall into this trap when I get older. If, at 50, I still need to go to an "academic counsellor" who asks me "what I enjoyed as a child", then I'll consider myself a failure. I don't think self-enjoyment is a legitimate purpose in life. Thus if, at age 50, I'm still wondering "what I enjoy", I'll consider myself a zombie. By that age I want to be dedicated to something outside of myself, some revolutionary new thought, or the advancement of some great cause, even religion or God, or even just the well-being of my kids and grandkids. Even a short hedonistic life of partying I consider to be a a greater success than this kind of zombie-like continuation of academia with no external goal.