Being Brave & Some Lessons from Katie

Being a post-grad (but this could really apply to any point in a person's life) means that we are going through a lot of scary transitions, and I'm not talking about puberty here. What I'm saying is that now is the time when we have to uproot ourselves from the place where we've lived for 4 years and move on to something different, whether that be grad school, a new job, or even moving back home. Regardless, the majority of us are finding ourselves in very different life situations, and that's scary! Moves are scary; new jobs are scary; hell, moving back home can be scary! 

I cut this quote out of 17 magazine right before I went to college; it's been on my wall ever since. 

This being said, I think it's really important that we face these fears and not let them stop us from getting the job we want or going to the school we want, no matter if it's 9 hrs away from our friends and family. This is what I try and tell myself when I'm being super confident, which isn't always the case. Other times I'm like "wtf was I thinking?! I'm not going to be able to hop in the car and visit home on the weekends as easily as I once did. I'm not going to know anyone or anything in this city. Why didn't I go to EVMS again?!" 

So to calm myself, I've been tucking into the book The Best Advice I Ever Got, a series of essays from various famous/successful people compiled by Katie Couric. And low and behold, the first section of the book deals with conquering your fear, and not letting it ruin your chances of success. Could this be any more perfect? Coupled with that quote I featured above... well this can't be a coincidence. It's like the universe is shouting at me to be brave and buckle up for this amazing journey that's about to start! 

via here

I'm just glad that like this quote (I love quotes ok?) I had that spurt of courage that was needed for me to decide to pursue something out of my comfort zone. I know that the best public health opportunities await me in Atlanta, so despite my nerves I'm also glad that I had the gall to apply to/decide to attend Emory, a move that I never in a million years imagined myself making (this coming from the kid who cried everyday when her mom dropped her off at school 2nd grade, or the girl who was super homesick her first year away at college). 

So be brave friends! Now's the time to branch out, explore, live in a different city/state/country because we are young and have our whole lives to settle down! Fear reminds us to stay grounded but don't let it grind you into the ground. I can't imagine the regrets I would've had if I hadn't gone away to college like I was originally scared to do! 

And if you're like me and love you some quotes, here are 101 Unusual Quotes on Fear for Living the Bold Life!