First Post - Fall

[elietalksalot]

There's something so nostalgic about fall. It's my favorite season but I find myself thinking back to other times. It's not even fully fall yet, its only August 27th.

I can feel it in the hot, humid air though. The leaves fall in my mind because they don't fall here. Fall doesn't really exist in California though, I like to believe it does. Part of me does wish that more leaves changed here but I also cannot handle the cold.

I've been feeling so weird lately. My first year of college has started and I feel so blind to knowledge I feel like I'm supposed to know. I don't know what I want to do in life at all. I can't see myself more than a year out. I'm taking everyday one step at a time and there's something so scary at the realization that I'm an adult.

I love art so much and if I had it my way I would be pursuing art, but what can I do in life with that degree? I'm majoring in psychology, and although I love the subject and it feels like it comes easy to me, I don't know if its something I want to pursue. I don't know. We'll see what happens.

I usually don't like writing at all, especially when it's about myself, but I've been getting the itch to write recently... so we'll see where this goes!

Comments

Hello!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> First Post - Fall <<

newcomers has lots of resources about how to use Dreamwidth and where to find things you'll enjoy here. If you're coming from Tumblr, soc_puppet is posting tutorials for that angle.

The Follow Friday Master Post has lists of active communities by topic where you can look for some based on your interests. Many bloggers use recurring posts to pin down their key interests and maintain activity, which is also a good source of inspiration if you aren't sure what you want to post yet.

>> There's something so nostalgic about fall. It's my favorite season <<

Mine too.

>>It's not even fully fall yet, its only August 27th.<<

I'm in central Illinois. The sweltering heat finally broke. Some cornfields are turning golden but most of the soybeans are still all green.

>>Fall doesn't really exist in California though, I like to believe it does.<<

Well, at some point the dry season ends and the rainy season begins, usually in fall. Mediterranean climate has hot dry summers and cool wet winters. I have visited California; it's very pretty.

>> I've been feeling so weird lately. My first year of college has started <<

That first year is hard on most people.

>> and I feel so blind to knowledge I feel like I'm supposed to know. <<

Knowledge can be learned, if you figure out what you're missing. But if the pace is too fast, that makes it feel impossible.

>> I don't know what I want to do in life at all.<<

That's common among young people. Thus, most colleges have tools for helping people figure that out. There are lots of others too. Generally they involve getting to know yourself, what you do well, what feels meaningful to you; and then looking for ways to make a living from that.

https://themeaningmovement.com/finding-purpose-in-life/

https://positivepsychology.com/find-your-purpose-of-life/

>> I can't see myself more than a year out. <<

That's really frustrating. However, when you're swamped with a big new experience, like starting college, it can shorten your horizon as you devote all your energy to getting through the current challenges. Jot down how you feel now. Check back at midterm and the end of the first semester. By then, most people have gotten into the rhythm of college life.

If you still feel that you can't imagine more than a year out, you may need to try something else. Sometimes it helps to talk with someone much older and get a perspective with more experience.

>> I'm taking everyday one step at a time <<

Good plan for now.

>> and there's something so scary at the realization that I'm an adult.<<

True. However, adulthood isn't a cliff that people fall off of, the way it's often presented. It's a process. You learn more of the skills as you go along. Think about things you'd like to do or to practice. Cooking, mending clothes, building a website, growing a garden, developing virtues, following a budget -- whatever interests you. One advantage to college is that, in addition to classes, most have other opportunities such as lectures, workshops, or clubs where you can practice skills or discover new things.

What does being an adult mean to you? What are the traits of adults you have admired? How do adults around you look and act? It's up to you what you choose to become -- and it's okay if you don't know yet what you want that to be.

>> I love art so much and if I had it my way I would be pursuing art, but what can I do in life with that degree? <<

Tons of things. There are lots of resources on "What can I do with X degree?" Often people who love art look at careers in that field other than making art -- gallery manager, museum curator, art store owner, etc. -- with the option of making art as a hobby or side gig.

https://theartcareerproject.com/careers/

https://mycollegeguide.org/art-careers/

Also, art is popular on Dreamwidth. Check out some Art communities.

>> I'm majoring in psychology, and although I love the subject and it feels like it comes easy to me, I don't know if its something I want to pursue. I don't know. We'll see what happens. <<

Again, there lists of careers; browse around and see if anything appeals to you. Psychology is like business in terms of a major that can apply to almost any dayjob. But one leaps out as combining both art and psychology: art therapy. It doesn't even have to be as formal as counseling office Art Therapy. It could just be doing workshops on how to use art to express feelings or solve problems.

https://research.com/degrees/what-can-you-do-with-a-psychology-degree

https://www.bestpsychologydegrees.com/faq/what-kind-of-job-can-i-get-with-a-bachelors-degree-in-psychology/

>>I usually don't like writing at all, especially when it's about myself, but I've been getting the itch to write recently... so we'll see where this goes!<<

Go for it! Blogging can be fun, or help you work through challenges, usually both.

Also if you prefer images to writing, you could make collages, drawings, photos, etc. to post. You might like journalsandplanners.

Re: Hello!

[elietalksalot]

This reply is honestly so so so sweet and I appreciate it so much! I honestly wasn't expecting a reply or anything considering its my first post!
Your words actually did help a lot thank you :) and I'm sure I'll be coming back here to reread your reply!!
Illinois has a super special place in my heart, both sides of my family are from Chicago! I'd love to visit again, it's probably my favorite city

Re: Hello!

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> This reply is honestly so so so sweet and I appreciate it so much! I honestly wasn't expecting a reply or anything considering its my first post! <<

*bow, flourish* Happy to be of service. I try to watch for new users and help them find things they'll enjoy here, in hopes that they'll stick around.

>>Your words actually did help a lot thank you :) and I'm sure I'll be coming back here to reread your reply!!<<

Yay!

>> Illinois has a super special place in my heart, both sides of my family are from Chicago! I'd love to visit again, it's probably my favorite city <<

Some of my partner's relatives are up there. I've been to Chicago plenty of times, though not recently. We caught the Cows on Parade. :D