In high school, I knew would be an important step toward success and a career. Nonetheless, my deeper desires involved finding "the one" — friends-to-lovers style. I had a to the college of my dreams, but I quickly shifted focus from my studies to my personal development.
I wanted to know more about myself than my classes. And that's what I did. I created a podcast with my friends.
I fell in love with and got my friends-to-lovers romance. We even got married in college. I also discovered my passion for mental health.
But by the end of my senior year, reality started to set in. I became so fearful of graduation because I had no job prospects or future plans. I suddenly realized I would become a , and that terrified me even more.
To avoid that, I desperately searched for a career and enrolled in a I wasn't interested in. I was among a small number of students who were able to get into a directly from undergrad. I was an academic in training, which meant having two part-time jobs, doing side research projects, and attending class.
I saw my husband less, but he supported the sacrifice as long as I got what I wanted. I started working at 8 a.m.
and finished around 7 p.m. I worked on the weekends, too.
The Pinterest-inspired home I hoped to have would have required my creativity and time, both of which are limited resources when you're running the career race. So, we kept the white walls, with no time to hang the framed pictures of our . I started therapy during this time, and I .
