To The Perfectionist
Start writing a post
Student Life

To The Perfectionist

When the life plan doesn't work out, then what?

14
To The Perfectionist

The life of a perfectionist is not that of which many understand. Feeling the need to plan out every area of your life is not optional in your case, it is a life or death matter. From simple things like grabbing brunch with an old pal, to the next five years of your life, you seem to have a plan for everything. And you could trust that every one of these plans has been thought out to great detail. So what happens when there isn't a plan? What happens when the perfectionist hits a pivotal time in his/her life and there is nothing you can do but see what plays out?

I am that perfectionist, and I am currently having that pivotal moment.

My entire life I have had plans. Plans to go to college, plans to get married, plans to make babies, I had plans for every avenue of my life. Yet here I stand, completely unprepared to make a decision as to what I should do when I graduate college.

I had always thought I would return to my small hometown from college a whole new person, with all this life experience. But I still don't feel like I got all the experiences that I want out of this big beautiful world. I feel like I still need to do loads of things before I return home to settle down.

As someone who made all these plans, I can't help but feel a slight disappointment in my inability to make a decision. Should I change the plans? Should I just go with the flow of my life? Should I stick with the plan, or try something new? With all these thoughts going around in my head, I was overwhelmed!

Until recently, when I read a poem about life. I had been asking for signs for weeks as to what to do with all the tension I felt towards my future, and a friend sent me this in a casual conversation not knowing what it would actually mean to me.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference."

- Robert Frost

Life is a series of choices. In my life I have always pre-thought every single choice without exploring any other roads. This poem was the kind of reminder that I needed to make sure that I was exploring the correct roads for the life that I wanted. Whether that want be long term and premeditated, or a short term benefiting choice. Either way I was going to stop living the life I had planned when I was 15, and start living the life I want now.

As a fellow perfectionist I understand how hard this time can be when you're so used to planning every detail of your life, but I promise it is worth it to let fate take the reigns for a small time.

If you are going through a hard, pivotal time in your life please just remember to take the time to breathe, and think. If you follow your heart, you'll end up where you're supposed to be.




Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

83594
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

50484
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

984449
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments