Giving Up Is Hard To Do | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Giving Up Is Hard To Do

Why realizing being you is more important than living up to expectation.

11
Giving Up Is Hard To Do

Being a 20 year old black female college student isn't easy. There's all types of expectations put upon you that you have to live up to. You have to go out and party but you also have to maintain your grades. You have to be gentle and understanding yet also firm and strong. You have to be ambitious and motivated on top of being repeatedly being put down. You have to be hip and young but old and wise. You have to be "you" or else you're fake. But being "you" means you have to be what everyone expects "you" to be not who you actually are.

I have had more than enough of this. I profess that I have given up. My white flag is gently swaying in the breeze of my heavy sighs. I have developed resting sad face. My soul has been emptied of the desire to. I only want to sleep because then I won't remember the exhaustion and disappointment. I have given all I can find to give. I have given all I know to give.

I lay in bed resisting the urge to give in to my warped sense of reason. You should go to work more often. No. You should be doing your homework.I don't wanna. Fight the Man 'cuz nobody want a black girl that ain't woke.Then let me stay sleep. Buy some clothes and make up or you won't get a date. Kiss my single ass.

But I can feel them coming to force me back into work. To make sure that the only time I can give up is when I have been declared dead and gone. I can feel the guilt and regret try to crawl into my heart. Resentment and disgust for my lack of motivation crawls into my brain. Consequences bludgeon me. I am crushed under the burden of everything I have procrastinated and everything I am not.

I then realize that fighting means I have not given up. I just feel like my hard work will be futile. Fighting yourself is quite different than fighting some unknown entity. Fighting your brainwashed version of reason in the form of inaction only means you lose what you could be. You lose all the things you were meant to be. You understand that "giving up" leads to a life you have too much pride to lead.

So no more of the happiness with friends? No more learning about the topics that interest you? No more of looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful? No more of the pride in your ethnicity? No more of the self-acceptance you have worked so hard to achieve? That will not happen. I cannot let it.

Giving up is so very, very hard to do when giving up is leaving you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times "Parks and Recreation" Summed Up Your Library Experience

"I've only slept nine hours over the past four days, so I'm right on the verge of a nervous breakdown." - Leslie Knope

3288
Parks and Recreation excitedly gathered around a laptop at a table in an office setting.

The library. Club lib. The place every college student goes when they want to try and be a productive member of society. Who better to explain your experience than Parks and Rec?

1. When you've finally found the energy to leave your dorm room and walk into the lib like

Keep Reading...Show less
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

28364
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

12204
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments