In my recent post about wasted time and happiness, I expressed my irresponsible tendency to start doing what I want in life.

I’m here to tell you how it’s been going so far (just so you know it’s worth it). Instead of making you wait until all the way to the end of this post, I’m going to preach now. My lovely and selfish decision to do something that makes me happy has been…drum roll…SUCH a relief.  I was so afraid before I jumped the gun on getting my life moving the way I wanted to. But being afraid isn’t going to rob your happiness once it’s over. It’s going to water it. Water it like a bed of flowers.

And you will bloom.

Can you tell I’m happier already?

It’s been two weeks since I’ve turned my life around, quit my job and discovered a new career. My own mother approached me recently with that rosy look on her face that indicated she spotted something about my inner vibes. “Brittany, you are happier. I can tell by your skin. By just looking at you. I’m sorry, but you weren’t looking too good before. You looked…hungover.”

Thanks Mom. But seriously, thanks. If I needed one person to confirm my new-found happiness, my mother would be the right chick. She can tell if I’m feeling unhappy through an email. The woman is telepathic. Regardless of what my mother tells me, I’m happy doing new things. And if I would have known how flighty and gay I feel now, I would have changed things with my life months before. That’s why I’m here to point some internet fingers your way. Read More »

I was pre-med once. I had visions of being Dr. K and white labcoats (which you can buy at any university bookstore for Halloween… please note that medical supplies are non-returnable) dancing in my little blonde head. I had my 8 semesters broken down into manageable-ish class loads before I turned 19. I went through labs and calculus and was finally thwarted, my dreams all but crushed, by organic chemistry, one of the more infamous weeder courses at my undergrad university.

Orgo was my wake-up call. There was one exam where I literally laughed the entire two hours (crying wouldn’t help and there was no way I was passing). When the curve was being set by less than 30% scored on a test, and no matter how many hours I kept my head dutifully in my books, I decided to bow out gracefully. It wasn’t worth feeling like a moron and beating myself up anymore. At the end of the day, I was happiest reading, analyzing, writing, as opposed to drawing benzene rings. And I was pretty damn good at it. (In college. Judge as you deem fit at present.)

This is NOT to say that people who stick through courses like these, no matter how much they hate them, are wrong in doing so. Au contraire, dear readers. If you can see the big picture and are content knowing that your hard work will make for a better, happier future, stick with it by all means. Ultimately, no one but you knows what’s going to be best for your future, not your parents, your friends, or your advisor. Read More »