Q and A: July 2013

What's it like to be out of your element?

I know what I feels like to move away from home, lose transportation and be unable to find a job.

I moved to Indiana with a friend, and eventually I was sleeping on the couch of a family who didn't want me there, and I was stuck in a town with no job or way to find one.

They were keeping track of how much gas money I owed them, and the only method I had to occupy my time was in long hours spent at the local library. I often spent hours making plans which involved lots of effort and the charity of strangers

I would say the charity was the worst. I hate owing anyone anything. I especially hate feeling like I'm in the debt of others. I'm a very self-sufficient person, and I think if my car's transportation hadn't croaked I would have lived in my car versus living under the thumb of charity.

I spent many days walking long distances, stopping at every business to put in an application. It was exhausting and humiliating. Things only got worse after I found a job and had a set schedule of places where I had to somehow transport myself to on time. I will never take a running vehicle for granted again in my life.

Eventually I was too far over my head to hold onto any semblance of pride. I called up my parents and they trucked my home where I restarted my college career with a new sense of purpose.

Dealing with Uncertainty

Today I found myself in a dump of self-doubt. And I say that I found myself there, because it was a sudden realization.
I've made a lot of mistakes in life, and one the sad consequences of this reality is that even the most stoic individual in the world isn't going to keep putting faith in something that has been letting him or her down. There are people who are doubting my ability to succeed.

Doubt is very contagious. Hence, today's slump on self confidence. Also add in the fact that there have been some instances involving risk. Risk + total lack of confidence = Cocktail of poison.

I had to do something to break the cycle! Like in many cases where I need advice, I consulted the all knowing.....Google. Lame? Maybe.
I found a specific thread where a young man was asking for advice about his girlfriend's lack of self-confidence, and although HE didn't seem willing to listen to any advice, I benefited greatly.

(Link: Advice URL)

Reading through the posts I felt my resolve strengthening. I came to the conclusion that I can't let anyone's doubt or confidence that i'll succeed effect whether or not I actually do. I compiled some of the replies that stuck out to me, and I printed them out. Maybe this isn't the most accredited method for dealing with self doubt, but for me, all I needed was some reminders of who I'm REALLY succeeding for. Not for them, it's for me...