Festive spirit is in the air, let me tell you. My little sister graduated yesterday, and the day was full of graduation ceremonies, celebratory Indian meals, partying and karaoke (my personal favourite). And it didn't end there, I'm now in my hometown Kemi to help my mom prepare for Saturday's graduation party. You know, the kind with family friends and catering and gift boxes from a jeweller.
My sister now has a BA in Journalism, from an institution that translates as "university of applied sciences". I finished the same degree three years ago, and watching the graduates' celebration made me feel nostalgic. All that enthusiasm mixed with confusion: what happens now, am I really ready for working life, will I lose contact with these people I just shared four years of my life with, is this the last time I'm ever walking through these doors?
Change is scary. It's a step into the unknown, without knowing whether the things you've learned so far will carry you through what lies ahead. But the thing is, you learned that stuff going through the previous unknown. And the one before that. Change is very liberating, nothing beats the feeling of taking a leap of faith and then realising that things are working out just fine.
That's why I'm looking forward to my next leap of faith, my summer in Sweden. Sure, a lot of people do much more radical things, but to me it's a pretty big issue to go live and work in another country, even if it's just the neighbouring monarchy. I'm starting a brand new job, that includes using a language I'm far from being fluent in. I'll be away from my family and friends. I'll be living with another person for the first time in my life. I'm not completely familiar with the surroundings and circumstances I'll be living in. All in all, a lot of stress factors. But I'm not worried, really, cause I know from experience that things will work out. And it's such a great chance to learn new things and grow.
This is the hardest part, the waiting and anticipation. The uncertainty without a chance to do anything about it. Once I get there, I'll be in the situation and I'll know what it's like. Now I can only guess. I suppose that's what keeps so many people from making changes in their lives: it's not the change itself, it's the inability to bear the uncertainty beforehand. What's so fearsome in change is fear itself.
But let's not get too gloomy, it's the season of happy parties afterall. And right now, I'm off to make meatballs with three kids between 2 and 6 years old. And if I don't make it on time, I'll really have something to be scared of.
-Karoliina
The manga-ka’s work schedule
1 viikko sitten
What I'm always thinking is that few "big" decisions in life are really that final. If you're buying a house, moving to another country (even without plans to come back), or whatever, you can usually change it later if you really find it didn't end up being that great a choice. That takes half the stress away for me, at least.
VastaaPoistaAnyway, regardless, I hope it'll be a great experience for you. :) And there's no real reason why it shouldn't be as far as I can tell.
That's exactly right, there are always alternatives. Also, you have to be willing to go through some negative stuff. You can't expect everything to be peaches and cream right away, you have to give yourself time to get used to the new circumstances. Change hurts sometimes, but it's far better than the numbness of being stuck in a situation that doesn't serve its purpose anymore.
VastaaPoistaReally nice to have you here, btw! :)