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Jun 18th, 2019
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  1. I think this is what people are going to tell you:
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  3. don't compare yourself to others. This includes things you mentioned like how "interesting" you are, how much you get included, the grades and coops you get, etc.
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  5. grades, coop (salary), are just a number and not whats important
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  7. be more confident (ie. don't be afraid of telling people how you feel)
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  9. just b yourself (unironically)
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  11. Now, that's great and nice of people to always suggest those things, and it's true that's where you and many people here need to get to. However, those things (and more) are outcomes: those are the results that you will enjoy after some period of destabilising transition. I doubt they are outcomes you can architect or implement, instead they are destinations at which you can expect to arrive someday, hopefully sooner rather than later.
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  13. Like any destination, being truly happy, contented, and loving/loved is not something you construct but rather something you arrive at after some, potentially long, period of careful attention to the journey. The least you really need to do on a moment to moment basis is do what you can to travel safely and keep moving. It doesn't matter at all if you don't particularly know where you're going, although that will cause anxiety and depression and worry. It'll cause you to look to others, because perhaps THEY know where they're going, and the result is comparisons to judge who's on the right path. But they're on the same stretch of path as you, so even if they think they know what's up, they're still just as lost as you, and your chance of figuring out where they're headed is even harder than figuring out where you're going yourself. Be safe, and enjoy travelling with other people while your paths cross, but realise they're probably headed somewhere else, so there's no point in following them.
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  15. When things get really rough, you might not be able to see the road, or there are trees everywhere and no trail, and you'll worry that you're lost, or going in circles, or that you'll crash. When that happens, slow down, pay attention to where you are, and take solace in the fact that even if you're lost or don't know where you're headed at all, at least you're moving, so if you're going in circles or somewhere dangerous you'll notice over time.
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  17. Once you're familiar with these mechanics, and become comfortable with moving despite no clear destination, and more reassured about your immediate safety, your mind will start to wander, and you'll probably daydream a bit, and in those ideas and mixed with the happenstances and experiences and people along your way, a picture of where you'd like to be will form in your mind. That picture, while it will include other people, will be unique to you, and in time will be the only thing that really matters, and won't have anything to do with grades or money or the signposts along your way. The people in your life: family, SO, real friends; they'll notice that a positive headspace is forming in you and that will satisfy them more than anything you could plan. So share with them what you're daydreaming about.
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  19. And so in time you'll come to an emergent realisation, a picture that's unique for you: a place you'll be happy to stop for a while, or maybe the motivation to keep looking. Up to you.
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  21. That's all pretty vague and metaphorical. Some concrete things you can do while you're feeling lost and pointless:
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  23. Take care of your basic physical needs. Eat well, exercise, sleep.
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  25. Take care of your basic mental needs. Structure your day, include pauses to breath. Think in baby-steps.
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  27. Take care of your basic emotional needs. Ask yourself "how do I feel right now?" Don't bother trying to figure out why you feel that or how to change it or even IF you should change it.
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  29. Allow yourself some time each day to daydream and reflect on your situation without concern for other people or judgement of yourself. This is the process that will slowly fill in the pixels in your big picture.
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  31. When things are going pleasantly, maybe you can see a term or two down the road. Maybe you can see graduation, or some kind of life after that even. When things are frustrating or demotivating, just focus on today and what you need to do to get through it. Make small adjustments on a regular basis and realise that that is sufficient to stay on course in the long term even if you don't know where that's taking you. That's a kind of agile development, and is proven to work well.
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  33. tl;dr You have no idea where you're going which causes you anxiety, depression, and comparisons. Don't worry about it cause nobody really knows where they're going and it doesn't matter. You'll figure out your point slowly by cumulative reflection and once you do, everything will make sense inside your unique reference, and until then, realise you're safe and do things to stay that way, add variety to your travels and allow yourself to enjoy them.
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  35. hehehe also some humour helps. Here's some reflection for you on people figuring out the way to go, racing other people, the dangers you may encounter, and that you'll take some damage but be OK. Learn to laugh at yourself and your situation.
  36. https://youtu.be/_akwHYMdbsM
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