The path to finding what you want to do is never straightforward. I think that is why from a young age, you are reminded of that trick, to reach for the moon and then to miss so that you can land amongst the stars. A good saying. Except to actually land amongst the stars would be horrific. You would die in three seconds.
Writers tend to exaggerate. As do scientists. A similarity we share there.
So how long does it really take to die in space? Google says 15 seconds, to lose consciousness and then a few minutes later you die. The vacuum of space would swell your body up to twice its normal size but you wouldn’t explode because your skin is quite stretchy. That’s a comfort at least...