The pivotal moments that inspire change.
Things feel lighter today than they have in a while. My mom and I were sitting in my living room, catching up across the coffee table, when it dawned on me that this might be one of those conversations I'll look back on years from now.
"I think I'm going back to school" I'd told her. As soon as the words came out, I'd felt more certain. It wasn't something I'd say lightly, anyway—I'd hated school.
I remember one phone call my sophomore year of undergrad where I'd told my mom I planned on dropping out. I'd been pacing the empty common room of my dorm, feeling completely dejected. That'd been a hard semester after a few really hard years, and I'd felt the school's mental health services had completely let me down. Later, after returning from a 90 day outdoor leadership program, I also remember telling my mom I wanted to go back to school.
She'd been psyched then, as most moms probably would've been. She'd left college for a tech job, and really wanted to see me get my degree before diving into the workforce. Ultimately, she'd taken night courses and moved up through a 30-year career as a software engineer. Eventually I'd inadvertently followed her into the tech world, too. I'd never expected to design business systems or connect marketing and sales software. I think it helped me feel important. Or at least, purposeful for a while.
Sitting in my living room today, I once again told my mom I want to go back to school. This time, to leave the tech world and find a way to better serve my purpose.
I think I'm really doing this... embarking on the path of getting my master's and becoming a licensed therapist.
Our Daily MAP Year Prompt
85/365
What conversations or defining moments stand out most to you in your own life?
onward.
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