Don’t Do What Makes Sense, Do What Feels Right

Proud parent moment: Last year, my oldest daughter, Hannah, graduated from college and immediately landed a great-paying job with a huge company. On top of all that, she was promoted within a matter of months.

From the outside, you’d assume my daughter was feeling fulfilled with her job and happy as a clam, right?

Wrong.

Deep down, Hannah knew in her gut that she was on the wrong path. Turns out, she always wanted to do video editing for a living, but didn’t take related college courses because she didn’t feel like there would be enough money in that industry. So, she did what she thought she should do instead (graduate from college and get a well-paying job). But day after day, when she went to work, she knew in her heart that sitting at a desk all day wasn’t her thing. It just didn’t feel right. The fact was, video editing was Hannah’s thing.

Finally, my daughter decided to take matters into her own hands and make a change. So, she took a leap of faith and applied for a job at a video production company where she interned in high school.

She got the job!

As she was deliberating leaving her current job, I could tell Hannah wanted my approval for doing what she loves. Um, hell f*cking yes I approved!

Fun fact: when I graduated from college, I got a job as a copywriter at a major newspaper. My degree was in English and so I felt that it just “made sense.” Wouldn’t you know, a year later, I was miserable. And just like my daughter, I wasn’t meant to sit at a desk all day.

So, what did I do? I got a certificate as a travel agent and moved across the country from Ohio to Montana so I could fulfill one of my greatest passions: traveling the world. From there, I continued to trust my gut and took jobs that fulfilled me along the way—college English teacher, fundraiser for a nonprofit, opening a stationery and gift store, life coach.

Fact: Helping people has always been my thing.

I love watching Hannah do what she loves, because I know first-hand what it’s like to do what I love. Life shouldn’t be about doing what you think you should do, it’s about doing what feels right for you. It’s about doing what fills you up—doing what you love. People can’t decide this for you, only you know what you want deep down.

So, if you could do anything in the world, what would it be? Leave a comment below telling me your thing.

Psst…be sure to check out my daughter’s amazing video editing here!