Dealing with Pressure from People Around You

Have you ever had someone in your life that seems to be succeeding more? Or your classmates from college who are actually doing what you both studied for? How about that classmate that you have right now in high school who’s just the best at everything he/she does? There will always be one or more people around you who you will think that they are doing a lot more than you do.

For those who finished college or university like me, how many of those students really succeed on the program they studied? There will always be someone who will take a different path. If you studied medicine and became a doctor, good for you. If you studied medicine, and realized you wanted to do fine arts, it’s never too late. As for me, I am one of those people who wanted to take the other route.

I am a college graduate under the Pharmacy Technician program. It was a very easy course, and I never failed. After I graduate, I felt really motivated in pursuing being a registered Pharmacy Technician. While I was feeling very motivated in pursuing my pharmacy career, there was one thing that always came to mind. I wanted to be a chef. I was going to pursue culinary arts after high school, but my mother wanted me in a medically related career (hands up to those who can relate!).

I attempted taking the licensing exam multiple times and failed. During those times, I felt really down. I felt like there was something wrong with me. I kept thinking, “Why am I not like the others who passed? I studied so hard for this.” I did my best to pursue that career. I am still considered lucky, because I can still work at a pharmacy, and make a living out of it. Even with a career in pharmacy, I still wanted to pursue being a chef.

Sometimes in life, we just have to keep pushing through. Even though you don’t fully love what you do right now, your time will come. This world is full of opportunities. Don’t lose hope. Never compare your life with others. Always be grateful for what you have and what you’re accomplishing in your daily lives.

I may not be in culinary school just yet, but I am using my career in the pharmacy field to pay my student loan, and to save up to go back to school. My co-workers and old classmates told me that I am wasting this opportunity, and that I have to move forward in pharmacy. I say that I am doing great at my job now, and of course I will not settle for something I don’t fully love.

If you’re at this point in your life where you just feel like you don’t know what you want to do, just pause. It’s always okay to pause, and take the time to find yourself. You should NOT let anyone pressure you into something you’ll end up regretting. Take the time to actually think what you want, and what will really make you happy.

I’m not just talking to the young audience, but I am speaking for all ages. I have seen a lot of people regardless of their age who started over, simply because they want to pursue something that will make them feel whole and happy. It is never too late to start over.