LIFE CRISIS AT 18

My boyfriend is only 18, just graduated high school this year and currently he is going through a crisis. He knows what he wants (to travel, write and paint) but he doesn't know how to go about it. He is unhappy but says I'm not holding him back and he doesn't want to break up because he loves me but he's unhappy with the rest of his life... I told him I would give him space and he was appreciative but I just hate how it's effecting us. How do I help him get through this and still give him the space he needs... HELP