Just watched the Shonda Rhimes Dartmouth commencement speech (Link HERE). It reminded me of this article written by Zosia Mamet that I read in Glamour flying back home last week (SERIOUSLY, READ THIS. IT’S IMPORTANT).
It basically stated:
When you find what makes you happy, whether it be owning a coffee shop, having a child, or being a buyer for a company you’ve worked for as a sales associate for years, you have to hold onto that regardless of what others think about it. And, on top of that, your fellow peers should cheer you on for finding something you enjoy and not be upset that you didn’t “follow a bigger dream”.
Some of you may know that I’ve recently decided to switch career paths. This article hit the nail on the head for how I’ve been feeling about making the leap from one career path to the other. Some felt I was “giving up” and, I have to say that got to me. Honestly, it was Gregg telling me to keep doing me, keep doing what gives me joy and to forget what others think or I probably would’ve kept miserably doing what I was doing all in the name of “THE DREAM!”
Ok. Let me just state, for anyone who doesn’t know, that I have a degree in film and we moved to Austin, TX specifically to intern for a production company and work on our film careers. During college, I worked for Forever 21. I was there for 6 years on and off, and loved every second of it. I realized that I had more fun as a visual merchandiser than I did as a filmmaker a few months ago, and since then I’ve been pursuing getting another job at Forever so I can work my way up and eventually become either a regional merchandiser or a buyer for the company. I am so glad I didn’t realize this until after I moved to Austin, because I still feel that I belong here. Anyway, that’s slightly beside the point. I’m happy to be here and I’ve interviewed at Forever and I finally feel I’m on the right path, but I also somehow feel that I’ve let my fellow women down. And that’s the point I don’t get…
I mean, my goal isn’t just to be an Assistant Store Manager.
(Even if it was though, so what?)
My goals will never stop reforming.
I will never be satisfied.
I am still the same ambitious woman I always have been.
I just want to switch paths so that I can be happy.
I feel that I’m on the right track, finally. And I want to tell everybody that although I am not living out your dreams, I can assure you I have reassigned, and am now living out my own. I’m excited to begin this new chapter in my life, and I embrace you all to not only read the article (and Shonda’s video) that I posted, but be an example of peers supporting peers. And I also want you to know that if your goals are different than mine, I will gladly accept them and be happy for you as you are.
(Also, my birthday is next month. And I’m feeling real good about 25. I’ve left the 18-24 age group and I feel set about what I want to do with my life-FINALLY. All in all, this is looking to be a great year.)