Work
Growing up, this is all I heard from the adults in my life:
Elementary School: Go to school, behave, get good grades, work hard.
Me: Okay
Middle School: Okay, you're a little older now. Don't let these little boys distract you, no friends, school is good for you, get good grades, work hard.
Me: Okay
High School: You're in high school, get a good GPA, get good grades, NO BOYS, be careful with friends, work hard.
Me: I know this already, you've been telling me since I was in elementary school!
College: You made it! Enjoy the next four years of life because it's going to fly. Get good grades, don't waste that financial aid money, (by college I knew boys were still stupid, just in college form) and, yeah, WORK HARD.
Me: So now, I have to juggle fun, and get good grades? Got it, I can't be a disappointment to my family, they've made so many sacrifices for me.
Post Graduation: Okay, you have a degree now, figure it out.
Post Graduation Me: WHAT!?! HOW?! What does adulting even mean? A job, to do what? Pay bills? Oh, Lord. What am I going to do?
Current Me: I'm so grateful for my education. I've always had support, and strong women in my life that made sure that I was going down the right path. I always made sure that school was first because I had to make something out of myself. My mom would share her stories with me, about growing up in Haiti, and immigrating to the United States. I was her last and only U.S. born citizen child, so I knew I couldn't disappoint. I had an open door to all the opportunities this country had to offer.
Yet, no one told me what life after college would be like. There wasn't a guide, tool, or even a heads up. All my life, I've heard "WORK HARD," and trust me, I am. Unfortunately, working hard doesn't disregard the fact that I'm 23, and I already need 3-5 years of experience. It doesn't exempt me from the growing pains of a post graduate. Not only do I need to have a job, pay back student loans, have good credit, and build my empire. I also have to work on finding myself, which in the mist of everything else is the hardest thing to do.
I'm learning now, what it means to juggle reality, my dreams, and my mental health. I'm learning now what it means to take a leap of faith, and follow my dreams. I hope I'm not making this sound like a fairy tale for one minute because it isn't, it's a process. It's taxing, it's annoying, but it's also worth it.
I don't know all the answers, but I do know investing in myself was the best thing I could've ever done. Challenging myself to write every day, and posting it for the world to see, has been nerve wreaking, but also amazing. In the last couple days, I've received so much support, and I'm so grateful for it. It's like my light bulb clicked, and now I have to keep on pushing, until my dreams become my reality.
I know, I know, it's easier said than done. Work hard, but also leave room for your dreams and your health. Don't let your full time job, become your full time life. Don't let your full time job, become your full time problem. Whether that means getting up early in the morning before work (we still have to pay bills) for self care and goal time, so be it. If that means coming home from a long day, and working on what means the most to you, then, DO IT! Don't let your job, social media, or anyone else steal your light. You are you. ❤️👑
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