Thursday, August 26, 2010

Update + Quarter-Life Crisis

I just wanted to mention I updated "My Stash" page. You can go to it by clicking the tab above. What I did is I attached a link to all the polishes in my stash I have blogged about. The polishes you can click on will now take you to the blog post where I swatched that particular color. I did this with about 90% of the polishes I've blogged about. I didn't link some because I plan on re-swatching them because they were swatches I did early in blogging when I didnt' know how to use my camera. These pictures were especially craptastic. Anyways, I hope this will make things easier to navigate to find particular swatches. Also, I did this so you can see what polishes I haven't swatched. Please, please, please let me know of any color you want me to swatch for the blog. I'd love to take your request. You can either comment in the post or send me an email by clicking my new pretty envelope button up top next to all the social networking buttons. :)

I've got a ton of polish as you can see that I'd love to share with you (this is just the pinks)!
 (You can skip this next part it's rather long and not nail polish related)

Ok, on to my quarter-life crisis. I never intended to to blog much about my personal life, but sometimes you can't hold back. I really like gaining feedback from others and advice. I figure there are many of us in the same age group and those of us who are not but have been and can understand where I'm coming from. I won't get into much detail, but my college experience has been a challenging one. I wasn't ready for college after high school. I was very insecure and I felt moving far away from home would answer my problems. I was wrong, it was a very isolating and lonely experience for me. I moved back home, got on my feet, gained confidence, and decided I wanted to pursue the hospitality management industry. I moved to Florida because they have the best education for it here and for the first 2 years I loved it.

Well, now, I'm not loving it so much. I love where I live. I love school, but I'm starting to wonder if this is the right career path for me? I don't feel challenged at all in this field. The classes are insanely easy. I think I'd be great in hospitality. I have strong leadership skills, business sense, and managerial skills. I just don't feel like that's enough for me. I don't feel like I'm being intellectually stimulated if that makes sense. When I graduated high school I wanted to teach. I always loved to write. I love British literature, art history, philosophy, and everything that has influenced society and culture. I dropped this idea after my first bad experience at a school. I just associated that desire for that field with all the negatives going around me at the time.

As of now, the passion for  humanities has rolled back into me. I find myself indulging in books and documentaries on all these subjects that I have always loved, but just haven't pursued. I always have felt a strong desire to not only soak up as much knowledge as I can, but inspire others to become interested in how we've been shaped throughout our history through technology, religion, art, literature, and etc. I like the idea of teaching or perhaps doing some type of educating in a museum setting etc. The problem is do I change my career path and delve into something new and challenging or do I stick with something that's practical and I know I'm good at? It's really eating at my brain. I signed up for a humanities class this semester just to see if I really want to pursue this. I read in the course description there will be weekly short essays and 2 major research papers. I know for most this would make people groan, but it excites me. I can't wait to be able write again. I can't wait to share my opinions, thoughts, and insights. I feel so deprived of that type of learning.

I think I need to assess my current skills and how I can maybe use both of the skills to find a career path that would be rewarding for me. I think I just hold myself back thinking that it's wrong for me to change my mind now or that I should already have things figured out.  The people I grew up with seem to have their careers figured out and I'm still questioning? I don't know. I just feel kind of alone like this sometimes? I'll figure things out though.

Thanks for letting me vent. If anyone has any feedback, advice, words of wisdom, or support I'd greatly appreciate it. I've been asking many people in real life these same questions. I just like to hear people thoughts it helps me put things into perspective.

Happy Thursday!

10 comments:

  1. let me tell you a secret, you only live once. If you do what you're good at but you don't enjoy, you won't get the fulfillment out of life that you deserve. Challenge yourself and try something you like better! What's the worst that can happen? You change your mind. So what? And if you want intellectual stimulation, I can share some of mine, I've had JUST about enough :-) Come to Cornell for a year and you'll never want any more again hehe.

    No, really. Do what you love. I'm not great at math and science, but I love weather, and so that's what I'm doing. I'm not the best in class, but I'm dedicated to the challenge because I enjoy it. Kapeesh?

    Ps, lovely stash darling.

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  2. I've had something similar right after my high school graduation and after one semester of college. AND I'm still clueless even tough I changed my major....

    I think this thinking about the future will probably never( or maybe I'm too pessimistic about it? don't know)
    Also I think you'd have to be really, really lucky to know what you want to do in ... years or right after (college) graduation

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  3. I studied Economics and French at university and hated the majority of my Economics classes during the four year course. It was a real disappointment as I loved the subject at high school. Despite hating my classes, I didn't quit (partly because I didn't feel it was an option and partly because there wasn't anything else that interested me) and graduated last year with a good degree. I can't say that I regret choosing Economics but I'm glad that I continued with it until the end.
    Now I'm about to start my first proper job, as a trainee accountant. It is not related to my degree at all so I have no idea if it's something I'm going to enjoy or be any good at but I'm going to give it a try.
    How long do you have to continue with your classes before you gain a qualification/degree in hospitality? Perhaps it would be worth sticking with it until you get to that point then pursue something else, just so you don't feel the past two years have been a "waste".
    Good luck

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  4. I will suggest you stay the course, since you are almost done, just because you major in Hospitality that doesn't mean you can't do other things.
    Such as becoming an event coordinator, party planner etc..
    Good luck with your decision..
    Maggie
    http://cuttingabove.blogspot.com
    http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com

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  5. I think you should take that class and see if it does anything for you. If you love it - do it. But, if possible, maybe you should complete the first degree so at least you have something to fall back on. Do what you love, that way work will never actually be work.

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  6. Thank you everyone for your advice. I appreciate all of it.

    Tara- I agree with you. I'm not major risk-taker, but I'm starting to think I'm now ready to take some risks. You're right too. I won't get the fulfillment I want out of something I'm good at if there is no passion there.

    amused-I get what you're saying. I know where I went to high school they always seems pressure you into making life decisions right away. I really resent that now, because it's made me feel guilty for being unsure or changing my mind. I'm starting to realize that it's pretty normal to be unsure,question, and change our plans these days.

    Laura-I see your point. If I were to change programs I'd have to take the same number of classes to finish they would just be different classes. I do have certification in hospitality areas too. I'm certified in Event Management and Guest Services. I do have some qualifications and something to show for the work I've done in hospitality, if I didn't have that I'd probably be more inclined to stick with the program. I just don't think I'd be happy continuing on with that program if I'm not gaining anything from it? There is no motivation for it anymore. I feel like the work is just mindless and too easy for me. I'm craving a challenge. I think I just need to figure out if there is a way I can incorporate the skills I have in hospitality with the skils I want to learn in other areas into a career field that would work for me. We'll see. Lots to ponder!

    Maggie- You're right, I know if I were to finish the program it wouldn't limit me from taking on something else. I still have around 1 1/2 -2 years though so I'm half way. If I were to switch I'd have to take the same number of classes to graduate they'd just be different ones. I have certification in Event Management and Guest Services through the work I've done in hospitality already, so at least I have something to show for it already. I definitely see your point, it's a lot to think about. Thank you.

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  7. Steph, I ditto the comment about you only live once. There are not any redos either.

    I think I tweeted you that I changed majors twice before getting my BS. My masters and PhD, though I loved the training and don't regret it, are not even in the field I currently work. But honestly, I am happy to have the training and the skills.

    Hopefully, we can get together and I can bore you with the story. LOL! ;)

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  8. do what you love.. then when you go to work it won't feel like a job..

    and um maybe go and intern.. or talk to someone in the field u want to work in.. and see how they really work..i wish i did more or that.. i did that too late.. i knew i wasn't goin gto like my job.. but tried to work there anyway.. and i hated my job.. so now i'm starting over again.! life sucks hard when you are working in a place you hate.

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  9. (unexpectedly long comment :)

    Steph,
    I pretty much agree with what everyone else is saying. Do what you feel passion for. It sounds like something you're truly interested in, and on the plus side, it definitely seems like it can lead down a path that will take you to a career that also makes money! (something a lot of university students forget when they're busy following their heart and searching/reaching for their dreams.)

    And, I know how you feel about being alone. I just finished school. (two undergrads, half a diploma, and a masters.) I am only now looking for my first 'career' job. just starting to settle down in a city and really move on to the next step of my life. Many friends of mine have been working full time for over five years. Many are married with kids, own cars and condos or houses. I am single, just moved to a new city, renting a place with a friend, and still using borrowed/passed down furniture.

    Just remember. Everyone's life is different and unique. How boring would it be if we were all in the same stages of our lives at the same time.... for our entire lives! ~~~~~zzzzzz.

    Listen to yourself and have the confidence in yourself to go for what you want, even if you're going it alone for now.
    And, really, you're only in your mid twenties. You have the time now. So do it Now!

    with love,

    Miss80Million

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  10. Kimberly- Thank you for the advice. It's good to know others changed their minds too. Sure, I'm up for a story! :P

    Pretty-That's a good idea. I'm definitely going to talk to some people to see what kind of options I will have. I'm sorry you hated your job. I'm glad you're starting over though, nothing wrong with that!

    Miss80Million-Thank you so much. I really appreciate your comment. I totally relate to with my friends seemed to have their lives settled and figured out. You're right, it's good we all have different lives and everyone has different paths. I wish you tons of luck being a new city and your new stage in your life. Thank you again for your comment. I really appreciate it!

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