"Are we there yet?"

In high school and college, I loved long coffee lines. I caught up on emails, social media posts, and the multiple group messages. I had a small window of opportunity to be productive before I went to next my class, after school activity, or work. However, I hated long lines at Cedar Point. I wanted to ride the roller coaster. NOW. Not wait 45 min- 90 min. It was hot. I didn't need to catch up on emails; the day was designed to be fun.

Waiting is hard. There is uncertainty. You begin to question yourself. You feel at the mercy of others. Your grandmother has no idea why you're waiting. Explaining it becomes harder. You can't find words to answer the why sometimes. You begin to feel like a liar. You still keep pushing forward.

One of the biggest challenges this year is learning to live through the wait.

Teacher test scores? Wait, pass, realize I don't like teaching.

Internship in Florida? Wait three months, rejected.

Event planning position in DC? Wait, and still waiting.

The issue lies within finding ways to keep happy and positive through the rejections, waiting, and uncertainty.

Some methods that have helped me during this waiting process:

• Doing mini projects/ set some small goals- these can be fitness, crafting/ DIYs, home improvement projects, anything creative

• Deep cleaning my apartment

• Reading- personal development books, books about creativity, books about setting goals, etc.

• Re-frame the waiting time from self- drudgery into a lighter mindset. Make it a game, take the deep emotions out of it.

• Reach out to others- find those who understand.

In Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, she describes failure as having a function, and moments of uncertainty being moments to fully commit oneself to their craft,

"How you manage yourself between those bright moments, when things aren't going so great, is a measure of how devoted you are to your vocation, and how equipped you are for the weird demands of creative living." Gilbert explains that enduring your specific type of frustration that comes with your creative job (or any passion), is far more important than how much you love the actual work. She takes a traditional ideology and flips it to show that not everything will be perfect.

Gilbert also states, "'What are you passionate enough about that you can endure the most disagreeable aspects of the work?'' This quote fully demonstrates that there are challenges that come with each job.

Teacher? Crazy students and grading papers

Chef? Long hours and hellishly hot kitchen

Artist? Possibly never selling a piece of art

Aspiring Event Planner? Lots of waiting before you land the right job

In conclusion, it's far more important to be following your dreams than to let fear, frustration, and uncertainty block your path. Also it's important to realize that if you hate the downsides to the job- is it worth it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyUYa-BnjU8