You know that one person who seems to be in five clubs, is a tour guide, has two jobs, works out every day, gets invited to the fraternity formal and is a good friend? We all have those kinds of people in our lives. And this is not to discourage you from trying to get involved as much as you possibly can, but sometimes it sucks to see them do what seems like everything and then self-reflect.
When we compare ourselves to others, what they are doing, who they are hanging around and how they got that super awesome internship, we always fall short. “Comparison is the thief of joy” is a quote that I have always circled back to, and it’s true. Comparing ourselves to others starts with something simple, but by the time you’ve finished overthinking, it has snowballed into something much bigger.
There are seasons in our lives that we are going to be more involved in than others. Maybe we were going through a breakup. Maybe our classes are getting really challenging. Maybe we just didn’t feel like it.
I’m here to say that that’s okay. It’s okay to lean into the specific things you like, rather than spreading yourself too thin and not giving yourself time to do the things that matter most to you. It’s okay to have one specific passion and for that to be all you do. It’s also okay if you’re still figuring that out; that’s what college is all about.
Especially as a first-year student, I was looking around, seeing everyone get super involved in every little thing; meanwhile, I was barely making it to my 10:15 a.m. class in the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business. It takes time to step into something new, especially at the beginning of our journey at college. Or the middle. Or even the end.
Despite us all blending into college as one, we are all unique people who have unique interests. Not being the president of the club or being able to run a half-marathon on a random Wednesday doesn’t make you lesser than.
Your value is not found in the things you do, but rather in who you are as a person and how you treat others. This is a good reminder for us to reflect on how much we are comparing ourselves to others, and take that time to look inwards. If we spent half the amount of time we take thinking about others, on ourselves, we could really grow as people.
As you walk across the library bridge and see hundreds of people doing hundreds of different things, just remind yourself that your worth is found more in your character than in your resume.
Abney Smith is a senior communications major from Marietta, Georgia. Abney can be reached at [email protected].
