Let's Talk About It #9 - Following My Heart Post University

I write for those who are too scared to follow their dreams. To take
that leap and aim for the sky. Those who sit and day dream about their life
goals whilst staying stagnant and not making any moves. Those who allow others
to limit and be little them. Those who allow others to mould and influence them.
Those who fear what others may say. Those who needed a prompt or a push to get
up and make a change.

It has been a hot minute since I wrote on this blog.

Here where it all began.

It was my first year of university…

NOW I AM DONE – A WHOLE GRADUATE!

As a graduate, the most common question I have been getting
is, “So what are your plans now?” I used to actually despise that question
because I had no idea what I wanted to do. It seemed as if everybody around me
had their lives figured out, or they had MY LIFE figured out for me. Now, I don’t
mind the question being asked, I just despise 99.99999% of the responses I
receive regarding the question.

Apparently, because I studied law I must now go on to become either a barrister or a solicitor. I am so sorry but that was never my portion in life. It’s so unlikely to obtain a work-life balance within that job. Sleepless nights. Paperwork, research – I’d rather not! 

Obviously, if you enjoy law and have enthusiasm for things
like that then I guess that’s alright for you. But for me, I just couldn’t. I
understand the pay is lovely but if I’m working so much please tell me when I
will even be able to spend that money?

At this point I’d like
to add not all lawyers have the same experience and I know that. I am just going
off of people’s experiences that I have heard.

Any who –

I’d rather spend my time doing something that interests me.
Brings me fulfilment. A law career may be able to bring someone else satisfaction,
but I want a job where I can interact with people. Help to change and influence
life. Working with vulnerable people and people who have been diagnosed with a
mental illness is just one of my dreams. Working with children is another.

If you knew me way back when you would have known I wanted to be a child psychologist but “mysteriously” I got pushed off that path and onto another (I won’t talk too much).

It’s funny how life works out really. Not only do I have a mental health and wellbeing blog and YouTube channel but also, this summer I get to be an Early Years’ practitioner which gives me additional experience to the childcare experience I already have. Meaning I can use it as a stepping stone towards working with children in their early stages who have special needs or a mental illness. I do not believe in coincidences, I take the view that everything happens for a reason. Either to bless us or to teach us. I’m trying to live a life where I don’t have any regrets. Even if I make mistakes, I will own up to them and move on. However, I don’t think this is a mistake. I don’t want to sit on this burning desire and allow it to burn me alive.

CLEARLY, this doesn’t pay as much as being a lawyer, but for me, I do believe the pay is enough to cover my necessities and so forth. What REALLY matters to me, as I mentioned before, is being fulfilled. No job is easy, there are good days and bad days, positives and negatives for everything. But if my heart is in it then surely it would be harder for the negatives to deter me. I get that for some people money does bring fulfilment and even if they do not enjoy the career they’re in, they can reap the benefits from the salary they receive e.g. holidays or fancy dining places. I guess being fulfilled and being happy is definitely subjective to each individual.

But let me just say, if you do have a burning desire, act on
it. Pray it on it, act on it, then pray on it again. Do your research, start up
that business, that blog, that service. Use discernment. Don’t be foolish. Be
wise with your actions.

Ask yourself:

1. Why do I want to do this?
2. Is it beneficial? Not just to me, but to my
   social sphere
3. What would it take to get there?
4. What should my first steps be?

 At this point, it is
your life to live; not your parents, your aunties, uncles, siblings, the church
folk… It’s yours.

SO TODAY I AM CHOOSING TO FOLLOW MY GUT AND MY HEART. I BELIEVE
THAT EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN THROUGH BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HAS PREPARED ME
FOR SUCH A TIME AS NOW. I NEVER WANT A CHILD TO FEEL AS LONELY AS I DID. AS
BROKEN AS I DID. AS LOST AS I DID.

AND I WILL NOT LIE AND SAY I DON’T STILL FEEL THESE THINGS, BUT MY
GOAL IS PREVENTING OTHERS FROM FEELING THESE THINGS TOO!

SO, IF I CAN BE A DIFFERENCE IN AT LEAST ONE CHILD'S’ LIFE THEN MY JOB WILL BE COMPLETE.

Thank you for reading and please, life is too short. Listen
to your heart. Be dedicated, hardworking, resilient and patient x