Should I take a gap year?

Basically... my journey so far.

I'm from the uk, so I've probably been in education since I was 3. It's all I've ever known. Im now 23 nearly 24. I've never had a job, nor do I feel like I can get a good job right now. Not that it matters because obviously no one really can get a good job with no experience. But, I am thinking of doing front of house at a local theatre - I just finished a drama and creative writing bachelors degree. Additional context- I had to do 3 years in college because I basically got kicked out of one due to bad attendance which was caused by a combination of me finding the travel there too much and my mental illness just kicking my ass. I was diagnosed with Bipolar last year.

The problem is... I've done a lot of volunteering, specifically with girl guiding. I've also did things backstage when I was younger and part of an amateur theatre company, such as putting makeup on the younger children with permission from the director. So, if I were to take a gap year, I'd be working. Probably some boring jobs but that's okay because I need money as everyone does. Ideally, I'd save money to go off and live somewhere whilst doing a masters.

I also can't decide on which masters to do. Since I was a child, all I ever wanted was to become a screen actress. (Stage is more than welcome in my career too.) But then everyone says to do applied drama since it's more likely to get me a career. There's someone from my first college who I'm extremely jealous of. She's already had 2 plays performed and been on the tv show I want to go on as a guest. Oh, how life is unfair! So I know it's doable. Yes, I have tried being friendly with her, but she simply doesn't like me. I'm not a very likeable person. I don't think it doesn't matter. I've never broken a law or anything like that. I'm happy to have applied theatre work as my main job, then have acting and writing on the side. It's getting the correct acting training to pair with my applied drama masters if i took that route.

Basically, I have some basics filled out for a masters degree (uk post grad), but they are probably filling up now. The way I see it is whilst working, I'll have time to focus on other stuff such as deciding which unis I actually want to go to and which degree I would prefer to have. There would also be more time to get them in.

If I take a gap year, though, I'd be scared it would be wasted. I'll do nothing but argue with my parents or make no money. Probably apply for benefits, etc...

If I do a masters though I'll have something to do... I don't really have the funding. I'd have to work alongside which I've never juggled with my last degree and still come out with a mid,

maybe not the best idea... everyone is in the same boat, though.

I wish I was more academic :sleepy: I'm just a creative who doesn't realistically have much shot. I'm not one to give up easy. I will eventually, with the right extensive training, try to get something published as well as get on screen/stage. I'm just gonna leave it here.

Has anyone taken a gap year before? I'm just completely lost, and i don't like not having anything to do. As bored as I am, I feel a little burnt out, but by September ish I'll hopefully be fine. Also, I've heard most people say to take a gap year between ba-ma so I guess its not uncommon. One of my friends are doing a gap year but they have something planned already...