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Monday, June 9, 2014

When You Don't Feel Good Enough

I live for the weekends.  Typically my mood changes once it hits 9:30pm on a Sunday and I realize that I have to get up in the morning to do that thing they call work.  Needless to say, I’m not happy to be at that work thing right now.  Maybe it’s because I haven’t found the thing in life that makes me happy and where I don’t mind getting up in the mornings, spending my day at a job that I’m so passionate about.  I work because I have to pay my bills.   I wish it wasn’t this way.  I’m always reminding myself that life is shorter than we think and I want to spend my time doing things I love.  I just don’t know what that is.  I never wanted to be one of those people that worked a 9-5, sitting at a desk all day, in front of a computer, and that is exactly what I’m doing.

Since I was little I’ve been this way.  I would start something or try something new and I always, always would end up quitting because I’m like ehhh I don’t love this.  First it was piano, than the clarinet, then the flute (which was the worst), I even tried singing (this I do enjoy but unfortunately my voice doesn’t sound like an angel more like something that would come out of a donkey). I’ve tried the sports thing including running, basketball, softball, and cheerleading.  I love to cook and in high school I went to culinary arts classes and took a job working alongside a chef for years.  I soon realized that it wasn’t something I wanted to do for a living.  Now what?  I love to travel so I tried the Travel and Tourism Industry in college.  I did very well and even was getting 4.0’s for grades.  But as I got closer to deciding which path I wanted to go, I never had the “this is it” moment. 

I wasn’t going to waste any more time in pursing something I didn’t see myself doing.  The next step was to transfer.  I’ve always loved the outdoors.  I spent my childhood camping, attended summer camps, was part of an Outdoor Club in HS and just always have loved the nature and found it to be peaceful.  My mind was thinking, yes this could be it Meghan.  This could be your thing.  But to be honest as much as I loved it I wasn’t doing that well in my classes.  I don’t’ classify myself as a shy person but put me in front of my peers and I can’t remember my flippin name.  A big part of Outdoor Recreation and Leadership is teaching others and speaking in front of trip groups etc.  On top of being so nervous about speaking in front of groups I was having trouble keeping up with the work load. 

School work has never come easy for me and I worked very hard to get the grades that I did.  I was so concerned with graduating on time.   I should have taken less classes to actually learn what I needed to do and take the extra time that I needed so that I understood everything.  Instead I just rushed and tried to memorize things for tests but I wasn’t grasping the whole picture of everything.  I graduated but I wasn’t pleased with myself because I feel like I didn’t take advantage of my education. 

My plan had been to intern in Indiana and make my way out west teaching at risk youths outdoor skills.  I’ve always enjoyed helping others and I’m a big believer in these programs.  Sure, I ended up meeting a guy out here and staying but if I really wanted to do the out west plan I would have because he had the same degree and interest.  But you know what, I was scared as hell.  Scared that I wasn’t good enough and that I wasn’t going to succeed.   I had zero confidence in myself and I straight up gave up.  I even had an opportunity to go to Alaska to become a Park Ranger but I didn’t take it.  I broke up with the boyfriend at the time and this could have been the perfect window to again pursue my dream of going out west.  I had nothing holding me back.  Instead I chose to stay.  And I’m not sure why, other than the voice in my head telling me I couldn’t do it.  And I hate that I thought that way about myself. 

And I won’t lie, sometimes I think about how I could be hiking the mountains in Utah and how different my life could have been. I can’t answer if I regret my decision in not trying and I can’t answer if that was even what I wanted to do.

I haven’t touched my hiking boots or anything outdoor related in almost 2 years.  Something I once loved has now become something I just stopped completely, even for leisure because I thought I wasn’t good enough.  To be honest I’m not sure where to go from here or what I’m supposed to do.  It’s still something I think about.  For now, the best thing I can do is slip back on those boots, tie up those laces and see where it leads me.   

What I do know is that there have been a lot of great things that have happened since I have chosen to stay, like falling in love with Phil, starting a blog, being interested in pet photography, watching my niece and nephew grow, and traveling.  And I’m not sure how what was originally intended for a weekend recap turned into this but that’s what’s so great about this space of mine.

Has anyone else felt similar?
















11 comments:

  1. You must have read my mind today...I feel the same way about working 9-5 and I wish someday to be passionate about work again because I only ever felt that way working with kids. Since I am still in college this job pays the bills and for that I am thankful but I feel the same way.

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  2. It's like you took the words straight out of my heart. I think a lot of us feel that "not good enough" feeling. I seriously hate that I don't believe in myself most of the time. And that I fear failure. I want to find my happy place too and feel like I just don't know where to start. getting tied to a good salary definitely doesn't help either. I'm up for a promotion and I'm kind of scared that it'll make me feel more stuck... I have faith though. I think we'll both find something and you are off to a good start with putting those boots back on!

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  3. I'm feeling exactly the same! I'm so NOT passionate about what I do every day and it makes me super sad (and, honestly, a little irritated). Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful to have a job that has some great people, but I don't like that I have to keep myself afloat with two jobs just to pay the bills. I feel so worn down lately! I hope you find what it is you're passionate about and are able to jump into it whole heartedly!

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  4. I feel like you are not alone in this at all. That is exactly how I feel in everything I do. Blogging, I go in and out of because I don't feel good enough, my work efforts, because I think of why try when I know I am not good. In being a health coach, that didn't last long at all. It's hard to feel good enough or what your calling is at all. Making those choices is a difficult one to stick too, but doing a lot of things and finding your way isn't a bad thing, just a different path than everyone else! Which is a great thing.

    xo. Kailagh

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  5. go get out and hike this weekend. also i couldn't agree more....flute was the worst!

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  6. I definitely like my job now, but, I don't think I've EVER been PASSIONATE about what I do, at ANY job. I guess to me, the most important thing is being able to LIKE a place... sure, it'd be awesome if you could be passionate about it as well, but, that's not always in the cards - you can do the stuff you're passionate about in your off time, even though there never seems to be enough of it! haha

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  7. I worry about this after college, sometimes I feel like I'm just buying time with school. I hope you can get out & hike soon, & definitely take more pictures of Mouse & Dragon because I love those!

    xoxo
    Kristin
    Crumbs & Curls

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  8. Meg! I loved learning all of this about you!! I truly believe that most people aren't meant to be defined by their careers and it can be really freeing to just let that expectation go. So maybe your passion isn't meant to be something that makes money, or maybe it will turn into that down the road, who knows. Just keep doing you, you WILL figure it out.

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  9. Never too late Meg. There are a lot of children out there missing out on your passion!! xoxoxo

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  10. Oh girl I understand completely! This feeling is intensified for me because my husband has been so successful and loves his career so much. (although don't get me wrong I couldn't be prouder of him!) It just makes me realize that I don't have that, and that I want something like that. You are not alone!

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  11. I'm pretty sure at least 80% of people that read this post can relate. I thought for sure I would be in a career at this point, but I'm not. I'm not even working right now. Just make sure you keep up with the things that make you happy! Work is work, but memories can't be remade ;)

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