Advice to Myself

What would Jenna in 10 years say to you now? And if you get stuck, think about what you would say to you 10 years ago?

 Ten years ago, it was 2011. I was in the spring semester of my first year of grad school at NYU. Right about this time, I was head in a Meisner textbook, buried in a Bill Wesbrooks Circumstance Report, stressed and exhausted by furiously attempting to prove to the world that my choice to pivot post-undergrad was accurate, right, justified, and reasonable. I was trying to prove to everyone, but mostly me, that I was who I said I wanted to be.

I find myself somewhat in the same position today. Ten years into my chosen career path, I still fight to prove, to myself mostly, that I am who I say I want to be.

Perhaps the advice I’d give to Jenna P of ten years ago is the same advice I’d give to the Jenna P of today:

Trust that what you’ve done, do and work to do is enough.

Trust that you are who you say you are.

Trust that you are who you know yourself to be.

Trust that those who matter can see that without you having to tattoo it on your forehead.

And trust that the hiccups are gifts- silly, mildly uncomfortable bubbles that eventually pass.

*Thank you to Alison Novelli for this week’s inspo.