The other day, I posted a caption on Instagram of a quote I rapidly typed down as I saw another status of someone celebrating their 4.0 and all their great successes, and don’t get me wrong, I know this isn’t a comparison game and I am genuinely happy for their achievements, but it can seem discouraging when others are celebrating in areas I lack and breakdown, and I just hoped I’d be ending the semester on a happy note like them.
Maybe a little more effort next time around or better preparation for my finals would cure my mental fatigue, but here’s what I had to say:
Lately, I’ve been enduring an internal struggle that I’ve been too ashamed to address. As school comes to an end, I must diligently remind myself that I am not defined by my grades or what my GPA reads on Gulfline; I wake up bright, excited and hopeful for what’s to come, but that’s if I ignore a lingering thought many college students deal with — I don’t know exactly what I want or even where I am going. However, uncertainty fuels my drive. I put forth effort and continuously put my best foot forward with an optimistic mindset because, although at times, I seem lost and the faint words “not good enough” start to trickle in, I know who I am becoming and who I will be. Every day, I’m building my character, experiencing highs and lows and overcoming obstacles, while building relationships and treasuring connections. I know I am loving, thoughtful, intuitive, and dedicated to being the best version of myself in this lifetime. So in case you’re struggling too, don’t sell yourself short because your soul is worth of being celebrated.
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The number of people who reached out to me either through commenting, direct messaging, texting, and even calling was wild to me because something I hesitated sharing had touched people's hearts. In my moments of being vulnerable, I was able to share my insecurities and fears while reminding myself that we are so much more than labels and numbers and others immediately reassured me that they to needed this right now. So with that being said, you make real connections when you open up and show your true colors and let your soul be bare to the world. Your thoughts are valid, and I promise you, you are not alone.