LinkedIn is that one app I just had to get used to. It is easy for me to avoid other social media apps. I’ll use twitter as an example. I never post anything on twitter. In fact, I’m not very sure why I have a twitter account. One time, I avoided twitter just because I thought I’d seen and read a reasonable amount of bad news.
LinkedIn on the other hand is just unavoidable to me. Somehow, I have gotten used to the app that has so many successful users and posts. Even when I know a lot of these posts are filled with unnecessarily big words, some I never understand, I have learnt to just be happy for people, when they are.
One time, I read the post of someone I used to know. They’re doing very well for themselves, academically and that makes me happy. Academically and professionally, because that’s the only part of their life they’re willing to show.
Seeing that post made me remember being in school. Oh, what a lovely memory that was. Anyway, every time I saw them, by chance or intentionally, they’d be sure to tell me “Monsurat, remember to read and have good grades. Nothing bad ever comes with having great grades. At least, have a 2:1”.
Of course, they were right. Eventually, I started avoiding them because even though I never forgot their words, I was bothered by the constant reminder. Why should an individual be bothered when someone gives them good advice? Don’t worry, I thought about that too. What was funny? I could never successfully avoid them. I also could not understand why exactly I was bothered.
I think I do now. I did not have great grades in school. Never. Instead, I read and struggled, did overnights and read. I did read. But somehow, I did not get the grades I thought I deserved. I was constantly reminded, year after year, for 4 years but I could not tell them “I am doing the best I can”. Who knows? Maybe I did deserve the grades I had. But I do not think that matters now. Does it?
During those 4 years, I was bothered about how bad my future would turn out, if I did not get good grades. Those thoughts almost ate me up. Almost. Compared to what I thought, it’s actually going pretty great. One day, I just came to acknowledge one fact. “I DID do my best”. I STILL do. I did not laze around, neither did I take their advice for granted. Somehow, it just happened that way.
Today, I’ll let you know my little, easy trick to reacting positively when your failures begin to haunt you. “It just happened that way” does not mean I’m choosing to be lackadaisical about my way of life and my thoughts. At least, I do not think it means that.
It just means I gave my all and it just did not happen the way I expected. So, when you feel sad, bothered or disappointed after doing everything you can? Just repeat it. “I did my best and it just happened that way”. Say it as many times as you need to, to recognize your efforts. To breathe and give yourself a break. It just happened that way is my new mantra for surviving every day. Well, sanely. What’s yours?
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