It's even harder to believe that just a year ago, I was prepping to send graduation invites and gearing up to graduate college - with not a clue where I'd be going - except for the beach the day after graduation, of course!
Sure, I had plans. If you know me, I always have a plan. We all have these dreams and infinite expectations of what life will be like after college, but you can't really - actually - know or plan what will happen.
I spent the first few post- grad months trying to relish in the time I had left with all of the freedom that comes with not having a "real" job or paying for anything. Although, much of my time was spent worrying about why I didn't have a job yet, what to say to everyone who asked "oh, so what are you doing now?" ("Umm..it's none of your business really," is what I wanted to say) and what people would think of that.
But, my friends, let me tell you. Relish in that free time.
Life will always work out - just how it is supposed to, because God always has a plan for you - and unless you take the path of resistance, He will show you that plan when the time is right.
If I've learned one thing in life, it's that God allows us to work through all sorts of situations - the good, bad, troubling, exciting, happy, overwhelming and even tragic times. Because we're working on His clock and that's just life.
Just after leaving Auburn, I decided that I was going to bust my butt for the next year and half, move to NYC for the summer to do an internship and then come back to Alabama to finish school, before jumping ship and heading off to the Big Apple again to find a job.
This was my "plan." Sounds glamorous, right?
Now, don't get my wrong, it is glamorous - and do I think about New York every other day? Yep. But our cards unfold how they're supposed to. And it doesn't mean I don't have the rest of my life to move there does it? But instead, I spent that summer doing an internship in town, that was a completely new and exciting experience in itself. I met a wonderful boy through working at a restaurant, that I'd like to think is God's doing, and he timed it perfectly! (How does He always manage to do that?) I spent my final semesters in school, working, interning and doing lots of volunteer work - where I learned so much, not only about the job, but about life, relationships, what to expect and what to aim for in my work environment in order to make me happy.
Because, at the end of the day - it's not always about what looks good on paper - it's about what makes you happy. You're the one that has to live that life day in and day out (said a wise soul- aka my mom). You might as well enjoy it, right?
Yes, I understand that sometimes we have to grind out hard work, dedication, long hours, or work in positions that aren't necessarily a dream, in order to reach our "dream" - but I'm also not one of those people who thinks it's necessary to sacrifice your happiness for a job or money - ever.
If it's your dream that you're chasing, you'll be happy working your way there.
So, after three months of freedom and casually applying for jobs - that weren't exactly ideal at the time or in close proximity, but I knew I would take in a heartbeat if given the chance - I applied for a position at Indie Shopography in Florence. This came at the opportune moment. Why? Because I was planning to move off to Nashville on a whim with a friend, not knowing what the heck I was going to do - And in that same week I received an email about an opening for my current position .
I thought, what the heck, this sounds fabulous, I'll apply.
And I got the job! (Yay!)
Since getting my job, this past year has been one of the most exhilarating, best learning experiences of my life. I have learned so much, that I would probably never have learned at a bigger agency. I have gotten to watch a company grow from the ground up - and I've been a part of the process - soaking it all in. I am familiar with so many aspects of running a business, creating things, and I've learned so many new skills - more than I learned in my entire four years of college (Sorry about that $ parents, it's just the truth, I'm still thankful). And these things are far more valuable than what awards I have received, clubs I was in or what is written on a piece of paper.
And although I'm still working my butt off making dough on the weekends as a server, I can afford to live comfortably and still take the time to do my #1 - travel - work in an awesome, laid back environment at Indie Shopography and I get to do what I love!
And for that, I have to be thankful.
So at my wise, old age of 22, I have to say -
Take the days as you may, but live in the moment as often as possible and always, always be willing and able to take a leap of faith - always ask questions, always be honest and always be willing to learn.
(My life - "made possible by my parents, who always, always provide for me and have literally been right by my side through every part of my life, my closest friends and wonderful boyfriend who has taught me so much about life and love.")
