There is something so wonderful about having a Monday off, more than any other day of the week. It feels like a special, stolen day, doesn’t it?
You know what else is wonderful? Sipping [er, throwing back?] the quantity of wine I consumed this weekend. I’m going to talk about myself and tell you why the need for such excess; hope you all don’t mind the digression from food.
first friday evening bites: broccoli rabe and roasted sunchokes. first sips: yalumba shiraz-viognier.
As you may know, just after New Year’s, I began an internship in an effort to put my professional life back on a track I felt good about. I mentioned a couple times that it was going very well; what I did not mention is that two weeks after I started, a job opened up in my department.
The job is not entry-level, and it is certainly above the level of experience I have listed on my resume. But it is a writing position, and I just knew: I had to try.
I’ve always believed that you have to make your life happen. You have to ask for things. You have to reach for things. You have to try.
Sure, you face the risk of rejection. I’ve had my fair share. And sure, you face the risk of falling. I certainly have. One year ago, I was struggling to find a job as a waitress, a receptionist, a retail slave. I had just gotten injured and had to indefinitely postpone dreams of running a half marathon. My doctor had instructed me to gain weight. I called my parents dozens of times, at a loss for where to go, what to do. I felt lifetimes away from the independent woman who had lived out dreams in foreign countries. What I did feel was like a little girl.
part of the medley of a perfect evening of food, wine, and life: chickpea “popcorn”
My parents always listened, supported me, comforted me – but they also reminded me: what other choice did I have? I felt trapped, but I couldn’t give up. I had to keep trying.
I hear many people say that they feel stuck in their lives: seeing the same people, visiting the same places, eating the same foods, exercising the same way. But the truth is, we have a choice. We can agonize over trying something new. We can think too much. We can question ourselves. Or, we can just do it.
Over the past year, I’ve forced myself to do just that over, and over, and over again. I made new friends. I waitressed. I interviewed for jobs I didn’t get. I ate in restaurants. I made peace with not being able to run. I freelanced on photo shoots. I ate foods I thought I’d never touch again. I took my first yoga class. I defended my healthy habits. I started writing again. I got back to the theater. I got this internship.
It wasn’t easy, and change didn’t happen overnight. But with each stride forward, I felt renewed faith in the ambition I’ve always had: the drive that got me into the top film school in the country, that got me on the dean’s list, that took me to live in London and in Prague, that got my name in magazine print. I don’t mean to boast; I simply mean to prove that I knew that woman had existed in the past, and I knew it would be possible to find her again, even if circumstances had shaken her up.
celebratory truffles. on the left: lavender and sea salt, also known as heaven in chocolate form.
This is a long-winded way of saying: on Friday afternoon, I was offered the job.
Tomorrow I will be an intern for a final day; on Wednesday I will be employed.
I’m about to start a new challenge that I can’t wait to tackle. So I’m here to tell you: the next time you’re faced with the choice to reach for something new, just do it. You’ll never know anything unless you try.
What was the last thing you reached for?
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I am so excited for your new opportunity (I owe you an email back soon!). I’m also excited by the idea of chickpea popcorn.
The last thing I reached for? A binder from the top shelf at work. Ha, I kid. I mean, I guess I would have to say my MFA, though that answer is 3 years old at this point. I guess I need something new to reach for…
Congratulations! You have come so far and tackled so much, you’re right with “just do it” a lot of the time we spend so much time fretting over things, if we’re making the right decision etc. and all those ifs don’t get fulfilled :(
Last thing I reached for…to make it through my 1st term at uni! I did it, enjoyed it, worked hard and didn’t let myself slip.
Good luck on Wed,
xxxxx
A big congratulations to you Leslie! Your post is, again, inspiring in words and spirit. Keep moving forward is the best assuring way to accomplish and get what we want in life. Instead of thinking too much, which I definitely have a tendency to, just doing it already makes a few steps of progress!
Congratulations, Leslie! I am so happy for you… I know how hard you have worked the past year to get to where you are right now.
Love this post so much :D I go through phases of being stuck, and phases of grabbing life by the horns and trying anything/everything.
Congratulations! I’m in a similar position; I just graduated college and found a job as a waitress, and I’m trying to figure out how to parlay my writing major into a career I will enjoy. I truly think that if you put in your time and are willing to do what it takes to prove that you deserve something, you can get it. And, no good hint ever came easy, right? I’m sure you deserve every ounce of the good luck thy you’ve been having. On a related but divergent note, the waitressing gig is the most fun I’ve ever had–proof that while you’re working on making your dream come true, it’s more than possible to have a great time :)
Thank you for this uber-inspiring post, and congrats on “just doing it”..sounds like it’s really paid off :)
Beautiful post and congrats on getting the job!
I am absolutely miserable in my job, where I live, don’t have the friends in this city I would like etc. I decided I WILL be moving this summer. My job keeps giving me raises however what good is money if I can’t enjoy life?
thank you for this post. i feel stuck right now. this is amazing.
CONGRATULATIONS!
xoxo
WAHOO!!!!!! Everything happens for a reason…this sounds like what you’ve been waiting for! Good for you!!!!
I am so, so happy for you Leslie! Someone as talented, intelligent, driven, and gifted as you are deserves such a great opportunity. I definitely relate a lot to this post. I often get so worried about life after graduation, but I think about you and everything you’ve done (or tried), and I feel a bit better. <3 <3 CONGRATS again!
YAY YAY YAY!!! I am so happy for you, Leslie! Can’t wait to hear all about it :-) CONGRATULATIONS!
Congrats Leslie!!! Looks like we both start a new job on Wednesday :)
Oh my gosh–I’m so proud and happy for you Leslie. Wish I could toast a glass of wine in person with you. Can you share your new title?
Last week I submitted an application to be a faculty lead with my university department. I am an adjunct, so I don’t know what the outcome will be, but as you demonstrated, we never know unless we try.
Congratulations!
Congratulations Leslie! This sounds like an incredible opportunity, worth all the troubles in the past. This goes to show that when you put yourself out there, something is bound to come back.
Also, nicely done on the celebratory truffles. :)
wow , this post made me think….
i feel i need to sit down and have a long conversation with u…
please share how to make chick pea popcorn!!!!!!
Congratulations! Today must be your first day, I hope it’s going well! This post is close to my heart as I find myself in a similar position as you last year. I feel kind of stuck in my life, though I know good things are to come when I start school, and I have opportunities come fall. It’s just waiting in the interim that is a bit frustrating. I’ve also lost a little faith in myself though I know I have been capable of (excuse the bit of boasting here) great things. Reading this kind of post renews a little of my own faith. Thank you, Leslie!