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Change Is Good, It Means You're Growing

I don't feel like I'm drowning anymore. I don't feel overwhelmed when something throws a wrench in my plan.

Shanna Mais

Feb 06, 2018

Michigan State University

228

Pixabay

I am the type of person who needs structure.

I need a plan for everything. I plan out my day, week, month - you name it, I probably already planned it out. For a while, I even had a one, three, and five-year plan. But, that all blew up in my face. Everything I thought I wanted to do ended up being completely different. I was on one path, and then took what I thought to be a wrong turn that completely changed my life for the better.

I never viewed change as a good thing. Any change that happened in my life previously, was associated with negative events. I was always afraid of change, or life throwing me curveballs at me. I thought that if I could just plan out every little detail I would be able to avoid the curveballs and change. But, that's not living. That's not allowing life to get in the way and just rolling with the punches.

Looking back, I wish I wasn't so structured. I wish that I didn't feel the need to compulsively plan out every minute of my day. You miss a lot doing that. You miss the fun parts of college, like making mistakes, making bad decisions, the late nights with your friends, and the part of life that can't be planned out or put on a "to-do" list.

I wish I would have realized that sooner. But, the second I did, I have never been happier. I switched my major, got an internship that I LOVE, spend more time with my friends and just being a 21-year-old. It taught me that change isn't always bad. Change is mostly good.

It usually means that doors are opening up, that you took a left where it said to go right and now you are on a path you never imagined but wouldn't go back for anything. Allowing my life and path to change was a great mistake. I love where I am. I love the possibilities I see in the future. I don't feel the need to plan out my day further than the homework I need to get done. I let some of the pressure I put on myself go a little bit, and it's been wonderful.

Don't get me wrong, I still get stressed; that's normal. But I don't feel like I'm drowning anymore. I don't feel overwhelmed when something throws a wrench in my plan. I realized that the compulsive need to control everything around me isn't helping me, it's destroying my mental health. I work on letting go of that need every day. It's been a long road, but every day I continue to grow and learn.

Change doesn't scare me like it used to. It's kind of become an old friend to me and, I'm okay with that.

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

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Change Is Good, It Means You're Growing

I don't feel like I'm drowning anymore. I don't feel overwhelmed when something throws a wrench in my plan.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1. You feel like an elder.

2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

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