Perception
When you are faced with situations— particularly those you weren't necessarily desiring or anticipating— is when perception matters most. Think “cup half full vs. cup half empty”. When something “doesn’t go your way” (and I put this in quotes because things always go our way, we just don’t know which way it’s taking us yet), reframing the way you view it greatly influences how you let it affect you.
I just graduated from college in May. I didn’t have a post grad job lined up and to be quite frank, I did not know what I wanted to do. I studied computer science and communications in college; for the majority of my academic career, I was focused on computer science. I did software engineering internships and was solely tunnel-visioned on working in tech. At the beginning of my senior year, I decided to add my communications major because I discovered I had a passion for journalism— I’m quite good at it too! I did an extra year to finish out my communications degree and now I find myself here:
I had to move out of my college apartment and move back home
I don’t really have much formal journalism experience
I’m currently working as an executive assistant to make ends meet.
Did I imagine post grad looking like this for me? No. Absolutely not! If it were up to me, I’d be in my new post grad apartment working my cool new post grad job in journalism, living the life. But I don’t view where I’m at now as everything I haven’t achieved yet. I don’t focus on the things I don’t have. This is how I view myself now:
I get to live in NYC full time, something I haven’t gotten to do since high school.
I get to be involved in fun projects to help me develop great skills for my journalism career and gain some experience to add to my resume. For example, I am a newsletter editor for Postgrad-Girl and while it hasn’t come out yet, I am working as a producer for a podcast that will be debuting soon!
I have a job that pays my bills and then some. Something I prayed for months ago when I was surviving solely off savings.
As much as I would have never imagined myself in this spot, I believe everything happens for a reason. I know this humbling period in my life is meant to teach me something, and I love the work ethic I’m developing as I work every day to give myself the life I desire. Also, don’t get it twisted— I absolutely have my moments where I ugly cry because I’m not where I thought I’d be. Everyone has those moments! But that’s the key word: ✨moment✨. Don’t allow these moments to overrule your attitude, motivation, or outlook on things. There’s someone wishing they were in your spot, and reminding myself of that perspective will always keep me moving forward.
