This is going to sound stupid, but I learned something and had a major epiphany from Disney’s “High School Musical.” In the sequel, one of the morals to the story is that there’s nothing wrong with planning your future, but always make sure to enjoy your youth and present to the fullest. After watching it in January 2008, a light bulb went off. While I was in undergrad, I was sooo focused on my future and career plans, that I forgot to focus any on my present. I spent way too much time with my head in the books, instead of out with my friends. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun in undergrad, but not as much as I should have. Instead of living like I was in my twenties, I was living like I was in my forties. I was too financially frugal, too serious and too uptight. I had to be convinced to spend money on a cell phone and see Justin Timberlake (who I’ve been drooling over since I was 17) in concert. I would pass up weekend vacations or a night on the town to study. It was just ridiculous. What was I thinking? I’m not saying having focus or studying was stupid; I just should have had more balance in my life. I should have listened to my friends when they said I wasn’t having enough fun.
Due to my new epiphany, I decided I was going to take my life back. I realized that I was still young, still 20-something, and the best hadn’t passed me yet. I was going to let loose (within reason) and take life by the balls. Summer of 2008 was on its way, and it was going to be mine. I paid all my bills ahead a few months, stashed some money away for the summer, and by April of 2008, I said “deuces!” to my sucky job as a call center agent. I let go of my financial penny pinching (again, within reason) and I splurged big on vacations and a brand new wardrobe (NO BLACK! Which was a total 1st for me). I didn’t have a care in the world.
“High School Musical” also managed to reawaken my “inner sunshine princess.” In high school, I was that girl that everyone found annoying because she was smiling and happy all the time. Some people even called me “smiley.” When people asked me how I was doing, I would always say “peachy.” You would think there wasn’t anything sucky about life. For me, there wasn’t a single problem that couldn’t be handled with a smile. I was beyond optimistic. If I did have a problem, I would just say to myself “I’ll survive. It will all be fine soon.” I was giggly, silly, and very innocent-minded. I was as cheesy as Velveeta, corny as Green Giant (based on that joke, you can tell I still am). Somewhere between high school and finishing undergrad, the “sunshine princess “died or faded out. I got serious, jaded…cynical. Maybe my life experiences became too much and I just cracked. I don’t know. But somehow, this cutesy Disney tale about singing and dancing teenagers glued the pieces back together. I think of it as rejuvenation; a blessing. I’m not totally back to my old self, but I’m trying to let the negative part go. I’ve been allowing myself to re-enjoy simple, cheesy, innocent things like the Disney Channel. I’ve been spending more time with my friends. I never say no to a concert these days, and I’ve been doing things I don’t normally do (WITHIN REASON), like experimenting with my wardrobe (I must say I pulled off the “punk” look well, and I wore heels everyday to class for a week-which I NEVER do) and dancing on bars (to “Single Ladies”- it was great!). I saw a couple of movies and went to a concert by myself out of spontaneity. And the 3rd installment of the series, “HSM3: Senior Year,” encouraged me to pursue some alternate career goals I avoided due to fears that I wouldn’t succeed.
While I was in undergrad, one of my friends said “Jasmine, you’re way ahead of yourself, and when it’s time to be grown, you’re going to try to re-do 18.”
Why is she always right? LOL. That’s exactly what’s happening. Sort of. My graduate program requires me to be professional, focused, serious and studious. I mean after all, I’m being trained to a therapist and mess with people’s heads, right? I’ll be graduating within a year and I’ll have a REAL JOB and be a REAL ADULT. All the new responsibilities and expectations aren’t totally congruent with my new found mindset as I’m trying to be laid-back and take more risks. It’s been crazy and awkward, but I’m trying to work it out. I’m not ready to let go of the spark.
Due to my new epiphany, I decided I was going to take my life back. I realized that I was still young, still 20-something, and the best hadn’t passed me yet. I was going to let loose (within reason) and take life by the balls. Summer of 2008 was on its way, and it was going to be mine. I paid all my bills ahead a few months, stashed some money away for the summer, and by April of 2008, I said “deuces!” to my sucky job as a call center agent. I let go of my financial penny pinching (again, within reason) and I splurged big on vacations and a brand new wardrobe (NO BLACK! Which was a total 1st for me). I didn’t have a care in the world.
“High School Musical” also managed to reawaken my “inner sunshine princess.” In high school, I was that girl that everyone found annoying because she was smiling and happy all the time. Some people even called me “smiley.” When people asked me how I was doing, I would always say “peachy.” You would think there wasn’t anything sucky about life. For me, there wasn’t a single problem that couldn’t be handled with a smile. I was beyond optimistic. If I did have a problem, I would just say to myself “I’ll survive. It will all be fine soon.” I was giggly, silly, and very innocent-minded. I was as cheesy as Velveeta, corny as Green Giant (based on that joke, you can tell I still am). Somewhere between high school and finishing undergrad, the “sunshine princess “died or faded out. I got serious, jaded…cynical. Maybe my life experiences became too much and I just cracked. I don’t know. But somehow, this cutesy Disney tale about singing and dancing teenagers glued the pieces back together. I think of it as rejuvenation; a blessing. I’m not totally back to my old self, but I’m trying to let the negative part go. I’ve been allowing myself to re-enjoy simple, cheesy, innocent things like the Disney Channel. I’ve been spending more time with my friends. I never say no to a concert these days, and I’ve been doing things I don’t normally do (WITHIN REASON), like experimenting with my wardrobe (I must say I pulled off the “punk” look well, and I wore heels everyday to class for a week-which I NEVER do) and dancing on bars (to “Single Ladies”- it was great!). I saw a couple of movies and went to a concert by myself out of spontaneity. And the 3rd installment of the series, “HSM3: Senior Year,” encouraged me to pursue some alternate career goals I avoided due to fears that I wouldn’t succeed.
While I was in undergrad, one of my friends said “Jasmine, you’re way ahead of yourself, and when it’s time to be grown, you’re going to try to re-do 18.”
Why is she always right? LOL. That’s exactly what’s happening. Sort of. My graduate program requires me to be professional, focused, serious and studious. I mean after all, I’m being trained to a therapist and mess with people’s heads, right? I’ll be graduating within a year and I’ll have a REAL JOB and be a REAL ADULT. All the new responsibilities and expectations aren’t totally congruent with my new found mindset as I’m trying to be laid-back and take more risks. It’s been crazy and awkward, but I’m trying to work it out. I’m not ready to let go of the spark.
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