Embrace the Unknown
What does it mean to trust yourself? It's about wholeheartedly believing in your decisions and committing to the goals that prompted those decisions in the first place. Every decision, regardless how big or small, will lead you to the right place if you trust yourself enough. Making tough decisions is never easy, and you may not immediately know if it was the right one. It might take weeks, months, or even years until you realize it was the best decision you ever made. Recently, I spoke to a professor at my university who mentioned it took her six years to recognize that transitioning from a trial lawyer to an associate professor was the right call. Imagine that? In a world accustomed to instant gratification, we often expect every second of our lives to be fulfilling and make decisions just to feel something.
The truth is, I'd rather feel nothing than experience something that won't fulfill me in the long run or lead me to where I'm meant to be. Good things come to those who wait. It's challenging to say no to what brings temporary joy, ignoring the gut feeling that the aftermath will be worse. I've been there. The crash is never worth it. At some point, climbing out of the gutter repeatedly becomes exhausting. Do what is hard now, and the rest of your life will be easy.
I don't have all the answers figured out. I'm a senior in college who stresses about my GPA jeopardizing my chances of getting into the law school of my dreams. So, no, I'm not perfect and don't always make the right decisions, but every day I strive to. Worried about bad grades? Then let me study and test myself until I know the subject matter like the back of my hand. Freaking out about post-graduation? So is everyone else around you; not everyone has it figured out. If you come across someone who does, ask them questions instead of turning away in envy.
Make decisions that align with your future, not your past. I've learned that the hard way. Your values, beliefs, goals, and dreams should all contribute to a higher version of yourself—a bigger picture. Just because you're not that person now doesn't mean you can't or won't be. But you better believe in yourself every step of the way because no one else can want it as badly as you. Be patient, humble, and have faith. The answers will come when you least expect it; stop chasing and attract the energy you deserve.
