Hello Loves,

As a current college student, I know all about what I’m “supposed” to do. There is a list of things I should be doing for future employers to notice me, expectations I need to meet and organizations I need to be a part of to “set myself apart.” I’m using quotations because I find this stuff to be humorous. We follow so closely behind the group mentality.

All last semester, I was feeling this pressure to stack my schedule with extra curricular activities and events. Although those can be great and super helpful, they are not your only key to success, which I learned like 10 minutes ago. Okay, maybe longer than that but my point is that you do not have to follow the same path as everyone. Actually, you shouldn’t be doing that. Everyone else around you, especially in college, is taking that same route. What you should be doing is attending events that intrigue your personal interests and passions. You should be taking opportunities that help you apply your skills and grow them. 

As I was saying, I just figured this out. I have always been the type of person who puts a lot of pressure on myself to be successful and to be doing all the things. Truth is, I need to focus on what I am good at and what I like because if I don’t, it’s not actually benefiting me. I was completely stressed about finding a part-time job, as well as beginning the search for a real job soon. However, I ended up working at LA Miller, which is a dream.

I am doing what I love; blogging, social media, collaboration and fashion. It’s actually amazing to think 2 months ago I was so unsure of what I wanted to do, and now this is all falling into place. Whether I end up working there after school or not, it has shown me that things will work out when we least expect them to. The added pressure to be doing everything won’t speed up the process. This position at LA Miler has calmed my nerves about my next step in life, I just have these feeling of ease. I know that things will work out, even if I don’t know how yet.

Anyway, back to why this applies to you.

Okay, so everyone else is joining these student organizations and going to events, what are you doing?

Maybe you are doing these things, and if they apply to your goals and passions, then great. But, if they do not, what the hell are you doing? There are so many available opportunities on a college campus, as well as around one. I am interested in fashion, and although my school does not have a lick of fashion-related stuff on campus, there are two fashion/art schools right in town. There is also the internet, a world of things!

Find things that are benefiting you and propelling you towards your goals. For example, if you are interested in working in the music industry, attending concerts and shows is not a waste. Like, hello networking & hella connections.

Realize that there is more for you to gain in doing something you love then forcing yourself to do something you aren’t really that passionate about. Way too many people are doing the later. Life is too short for that!

Before I conclude this post, I got one more point to make.

I’ve been into Gary Vee lately because he’s a boss. But, I love that he always points out that if you are only in your 20’s, you need to just calm down and keep hustling. As young adults today, we all think we need to have everything figured out now. I’m guilty of feeling this way. I want to just jump right into my dream job and dream life, but that’s not going to happen.

I think this pressure to have it all figured out roots a lot from my generations connection to the digital world. We’re use to instant gratification. We want something online, boom it’s here in two days. We post a picture, boom it’s getting likes. We are always wanting to do it all and have it all, right now.

Although that mindset isn’t always bad, it’s also not always great. I believe this is where the pressure for perfection comes from in our day in age. We see other people our age traveling the world and getting famous on the internet, and we think, I want that. Some people are just on different paths and we have to stop setting ourselves to their expectations. We are each on our own journey, we need to embrace that.

So, calm down! Whether you’re 20 or 50, you still have time to create a life and do what you want. Stop worrying about what you’re supposed to do and start doing the things you want to do. You will immediately see a difference in your mood, your goals and your perspective.

Thank you for taking the time to read PYM today! I appreciate you.

xo, Lyss