I started the post below on 02/24/2019 after a long day of thinking about what I've accomplished so far and all the steps that I need to accomplish to get where I need to be. I hope my random rambling helps someone out there remember that every goal we make for ourselves is a challenge, and those challenges may take us in directions we didn't consider before.
We have been programmed to think that failure is not an option and no matter what you do in life you must be successful or you'll disappoint yourself and those around you. Since I can remember I've been fed the idea that I need to succeed in every new task I start, but I've come to notice that the fear of failure keeps me from starting those tasks that I know are challenging."In whatever you're doing, failure is an option, but fear is not"- James Cameron
The TED talk above is something that has been resonating in my head since the moment I first saw and I think anyone who comes across it should take the time to listen to it and be inspired, just like I was.
My name is Yesenia De La Mora, and I'm currently a broke college student pursuing a degree in Dental Hygiene. There were many detours and wrong tours prior to getting to the place where I am today, but all these turns helped me become the person I am today so they weren't a complete waste of time.
When I graduated high school I had my life planned out. I was going to college, getting my degree, then a job, then a house, then a husband, and by age 25 I would start thinking about having mini versions of myself and my partner. Spoiler alert: I'm a few years past 25 and I'm kind of accomplished one and a half things on the list above. I must admit that there's times when I get disappointed in myself and I feel like I'm wasting my time, but I know that if my goals were easy to accomplish everyone and their dog would have accomplished them by now.
After high school I applied to some universities in the area, and even got a few scholarships to help cover the first two years of studies, but due to some health problems in my family, I decided to stay in town and go to the local community college. I was afraid that if I left, something would happen and I would not be able to make it back on time. Fortunately, the person who was ill got their health back with therapy, lots of medications, and many doctor visits and now looking back I'm grateful that this unexpected event saved me thousands of dollars in student loans. 😝
I decided to start my journey as a college student at the local community college and had my mind set on pursuing my goal of becoming a child psychologist. I took several psychology classes and other required courses, but as I spent more time in these psychology classes I realized they were not for me. I remember taking Abnormal Psychology and reading about a young boy with extreme social anxiety who would spend his recess and lunch break alone in the bathroom because he was so afraid of interacting with others. I remember reading this and sobbing as I thought of my loved ones having to deal with that in their lifetime and that made me realized that I would probably not be the most helpful psychologist if I was crying over a case study in a textbook.
After this revelation I decided that since I didn't know what to study I should just stop wasting my time and money and get a full time job, but then I realized that I had already invested so much time and I money at this college and I was not about to walk away empty handed. I took a few more classes to get the required credits to apply for my Associate's Degree and I turned in my application. I remembered that I filled out the application and didn't bother looking into the process of the graduation ceremony because I just wanted to be done with school at that point.
While I was finishing my Associate Degree I got a job as a dental receptionist as a favor to my sister who was working in an office and needed someone to cover her maternity leave. To be honest I didn't see myself working in dentistry but I accepted the job since I knew she did not have anyone to cover her position while she waited for baby to come. This was such an unexpected opportunity that opened the doors to so many others, and all those subsequent opportunities led me to where I am today.
My life has been filled with failures and I wish it wasn't, but I think all these bumps on the road have made me appreciate things once I actually accomplish them. I've been fearful of failure whenever I've started something new over the years, but I know that fear has been what has kept me stationary not my inability to succeed.
I was previously working as an assistant manager at a dental office and I decided to take a leap of faith, quit my management position and become a broke college student. Many people gave me weird looks when I told them I wanted to go back to school considering I had a pretty nice biweekly paycheck, but I knew I had to do this for myself since I wanted to continue with my studies and pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene.
As of today, I have applied to 5 different colleges in Washington state; I have completed numerous entrance exams that are part of the application process, and I'm patiently waiting to hear good new from some of these colleges. Hopefully the future has some awesome news for me soon. :)
Wish me luck.
💜 Yesi
