“But what will you do with that?”

They say it all the time.

They say it when you open a conversation, they say it when you close your doors. They say it behind your back. They say it in front of your parents. They question you, on multiple occasions. They question your overly optimistic gaze and your big doe eyes that haven’t seen nearly enough of the world. They question you all too often, and you’re tired.

Who knew that defending your career, your own choice, your own visions, would be so hard? Who knew that these people would be clawing at your aspirations and clawing at your ideas of success?

You did.

You knew it would be hard. You knew it would be difficult to accommodate to such a life.

You knew it the moment you saw it. You knew it the moment it happened. You fell in love with the career that could make you or break you. You fell in love with the way it calls to you and the way everything just feels so right when you think of it. You fell in love with the simplicity of finding yourself in foreign places, and it just seemed so right. You knew this world didn't work by the pull of a lever, even if you didn’t and still have yet to see the things you're meant to fear. You knew. You just knew. You knew your parents may be worried, and your mom would shed a tear, tugging at her child as though she would never see them again. You knew your father would give you that look, with his eyebrows knit, and his hands pushed in his pockets. They were worried for you. You were worried for them.

You knew you had felt guilt, you knew you had felt that your choice was wrong. But you still chose it.

Because you know you.

You know you better than anyone else can ever know you. And you know that your choices may not lead to the safest path but they will lead to the greatest satisfaction.

You know that your choices are what you want, and what you want is not anyone else’s to take.

They say life’s not easy, and you know this, and you continue to know this, as you go on with your day and on with your choice. Your choice brought you here, the college of your dreams, the home of your heart. Your career lies here, and you know you will make everyone happy, just by being you, and by choosing what you love.

You know you won’t be friends with every one, because everyone has opinions and everyone has a voice.

You know you won’t remember names, but you’ll remember faces. You’ll be forced to remember equations, agendas, and things you don’t want. But you won’t be forced to choose who you want to be, and where you’ll end up years from now.

You won’t be forced to go to parties, or be forced into liking the same things as your peers. This is your choice, this is your life, and this is what you chose to do. You’re happy with your choice, and maybe a little scared, but you know.

You just know.

Because there’s prickles in your palms, twitches in your toes, and enthusiasm in your effortlessly beautiful eyes, you just know that what you want is feasible, and you know you have what it takes. You just know you’ll give it your all, because anything less wouldn’t satisfy those prickles, those twitches, and that enthusiasm.

You’re a wonder, you’re your own, and you’ve never let anyone stop you from believing that your future is as bright as anyone else’s.

You’ve yet to prove yourself, but you’re more than ready. You’ve been waiting for the day of freedom, for the aches in your body to cease, and for your career to be clear.

And it will come, quicker than expected.

Because you just know.