In Defense Of Leaving: You Don't Have To Dread Your Days | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

In Defense Of Leaving: You Don't Have To Dread Your Days

Reasons why you literally do not have to do anything you don't want to do

595
In Defense Of Leaving: You Don't Have To Dread Your Days
Ian Schneider on Unsplash

When I was 15 years old I started my very first job ever at PacSun in the mall. My mom dropped me off for my first day of work on BLACK FRIDAY. Absolutely nuts. By the second week of working there, I couldn't name one thing I hated more than hanging up trendy crop tops and joggers from the dressing rooms or folding the entire wall of Adidas graphic tees four times before my manager said they were perfect.

It got to the point where I would fake sick and skip school so I could have the entire day to mope around and mentally prepare myself for six hours of awful. Eventually, after only two months of working there, my parents started to notice the super negative mood I had adopted into my personality and knew exactly what the reason was. I ended up putting in my two weeks notice and my life and mood and everything else went drastically uphill to the point where a ton of people noticed.

If there's one thing I know about employment after that catastrophe, there is nothing, absolutely nothing worse than dreading your job. If you hate your life every time you're on your way to work why are you there? The obvious answer is that you need money and don't have any other options but that's just one of the million excuses to stay in your comfort zone.

These stories have a point, I promise I'll get there.

Anyways, if you don't have a job this is also super relevant to you. If you hate your major and dread going to class or can't stand the idea of graduating and moving on to whatever profession that you're studying- you're doing it wrong.

Countless times I've asked people around me who are miserable during school what their major is and what they're planning to do with it, and a large majority of the most stressed out and negative people I know answer that question with either they don't know, it's what everyone else is doing, my parents are making me, etc, etc. Besides those gen-eds, you should enjoy learning about what you're about to do for the rest of your life.

Going to college and getting a degree and then off to a high paying job is the "ultimate goal" of us college kids, but not everyone is the same and it's important to realize that doing all of those things is not a law or a requirement, it's a social norm.

Change your major as many times as you want. Quit the job that you can't stand. If college isn't your thing, leave and do whatever is. You are literally not required at all to do anything that doesn't make you happy. It's okay to repeat this process as many times as it takes to figure out where you want to be.

But, the thing about this trial and error process is that it does take time. If your ultimate goal is to be a famous news journalist who travels the world (totally random this isn't my life goal at all ... ) Then work your butt off and do what it takes to get there.

We subconsciously spend our days scrolling through social media envious of the people who travel the world or have it all together and wonder why our life couldn't be the same way. In reality, (mostly) everyone who we envy career-wise worked super hard to get to where they are, and we could do the same if we wanted it badly enough.

Don't get me wrong, if staying in your comfort zone and being afraid of change is what makes you most satisfied, then by all means; keep at that and don't let anyone stop you. But if you're anything like me, don't settle for something that you'll end up dreading in the long run. This time in our lives is about exploring, and trial and error, and figuring things out. It's really never too late to change your mind or start something new.

"Be in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." And don't waste your time doing anything else.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

178347
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

5543
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

451370
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

22681
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments