“And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
—John Steinbeck
I came across this quote the other day and it got me thinking about how much my life has changed since graduating from college just seven months ago. It seems like yesterday and yet a lifetime ago.
The biggest takeaway I’ve gotten so far from post-grad life is that in the real world nothing is perfect and, unlike college, we have time. I no longer have to rush from six different classes to internships. I’m not staying up until 2 a.m. to do homework. I have my job and then I have free time to do anything I want.
That extra time is now used on making myself better at a few things that I really care about. In school I had classes that weren’t always my top priority and my attention was spread over a bunch of tiny things. Now I have a few big things in my life to focus on. And I’m no longer focused on getting everything perfect, I’m focused on getting really good at the things I want to excel at.
I’ve got my job now. I’m still the new person in the office, the kid, and I’m constantly learning. I’ve been given new and scary opportunities and I’m working every day on becoming a good professional. I don’t think I’m there yet. I’ve got a long way to go before I get to that place, or even know what it is I truly want. But I no longer have to stress about perfection, because I know now that it does not exist.
And when I’m not working on the professional me, I have more time than ever before to work on other things I want to be good at. I’ve finally started reading again. I’m cooking dinner for myself on weeknights. I’ve been writing in my spare time about anything I please. I no longer have the limitations of college, yet I’m still free to learn. It’s a terrifying time, but it’s exciting.
Lately my extra time has been focused on writing and that’s specifically led me to focusing on my passion project, “Am I Watching Too Much TV?,” my film and television blog. I’ve been thinking a lot about my love of cinema and how it correlates with my love of writing and where they meet in the middle. I’m continuing to work on my film criticism to develop myself into a reputable film critic. It’s a skill I’ve always desired but until recently never had the chance to hone as my own. I’m creating and owning my voice in the world. Who knows if it’s a distinct, well-executed process just yet, but with time, energy, and a determination, I can become, not perfect, but good at the things I love.
In both my professional and recreational life.