Do What You Love: Really

Today on my way to work I found myself feeling a bit happier than usual. I wasn’t tired, although I’d slept a couple of hours the night before. I was just happy. I’d walked out of class with a different view. For the first time in a very long time, I’d enjoyed what I learnt. And I looked forward to my next day at uni, learning some more.

That’s when it came to me: I made the right choice.

I know I talk a lot about changes and making decisions, but I haven’t spoken about the outcome of those decisions. Since the beginning of this topsy turvy 2016, I’ve been swimming through laughs, heartbreak, confusion, and lots of new discoveries.

I begun the career of journalism in March, after two years of struggling with International Relations (you can read a bit about that here: https://medium.com/@inescasserly/ch-ch-changes-2d4b93d2f298#.xgze4h4h1). To be honest, I’ve always known that I wanted to be a journalist, but with all the negative karma that surrounds it, I was inclined to my other interests which were history and international relations. Needless to say, I was not having a good time, and after a very long process of thinking and weighing pros and cons, I decided it was time to listen to my calling.

At first, I had my doubts. Not because I didn’t want to be a journalist, but because I felt I had wasted two years of my life. But time you’ve spent learning is never time wasted. I can honestly say that I am a more cultured and well read person than I was two years ago, and that a lot of what I learnt as a political scientist can help me in my future career.

Now, instead of reading about political theories, I’m reading literary books that make me feel, make me smile, make me cry. I find myself discovering things that I didn’t know before, but that I’ve always wanted to know. I’m learning about journalists, historians and events that changed the world in a way that actually matters to me. I’ve found my thing.

I thought about this today because after a very long time, I feel comfortable. I’m pleased with myself. I wake up in the morning and don’t want to miss lectures because they interest me (I’m the furthest thing from a nerd, so this is an actual shock to me).

That’s when it came to me: it matters. It matters to dedicate your time to something you love.

I’m not the first person to say this, and I’m not going to be the last. I also know there are many people who have made the right choice and have never had to go through this. There are also people who don’t have the choice to change what they’re studying. And a lot of people will say that it doesn’t matter if you go to uni or not, if you’re passionate about something you can truly focus on that.

BUT university gives you a chance to learn, and if you’ve got the chance to learn, then take it. And make the most of it. Use your time, your precious time and do something you love. Make yourself richer, intellectually. You’re never going to stop learning, so learn about something that makes your heart beat fast and strikes excitement in your blood. Take chances, make your mistakes, but learn and grow. You’ll find your thing just like I did.