Just two years ago my brain was shrinking, being squeezed by scholarly academic papers with in-text citations. Writing for art history carried the distinct possibility that my life itself was going to be a footnote.
I love art. I love artists’ life stories, their ideas and methods in breaking from form. But I found the academic study of this, with its rigor and formula, uninspiring and utterly dullsville. At a private college, lost with no sense of what to do, with no purpose, I felt lost.
I’ve discovered that the pursuit of purpose, of some direction, is essential to my mental well-being, and I suspect that for most humans.
I’ve discovered that the pursuit of purpose, of some direction, is essential to my mental wellbeing, and I suspect that for most humans. Getting lost on a travel trip is one thing but feeling lost and directionless in life is quite another. So, my journey to purpose took me through several gel pens and leather-bound journals, from a cross-country move from chilly Chicago with my Canada Goose jacket to sun-drenched, charming and sleeveless Savannah, where lived for the past three years. Besides the Civil War ghosts that encircle the city, my purpose manifested itself.
Given all the journaling, I opted to change my focus from scholarly writing to one that was creatively expressive and more freeing: advertising copywriting. I’ve been around the ad agency business my entire life; it felt a direction that sensible, suitable and, in fact, inspiring, a real reason to rise each day. At the start of 2021, I was hell bent on getting a summer internship. I woke up and said, if I’m doing this copywriting thing, I need real experience. COVID and hiring freezes be damned. I don’t have time to dilly dally and toy with this notion. I built a website, researched boutique and new media firms, sent letters and resumes and landed with Young Hero in Brooklyn. Rather than a summer internship, I was offered one immediately for the spring. Next up, gratitude.
I come from a family who insists on expressing gratitude for every opportunity the universe throws our way. My mom insists that we cite three gratitudes each night, even if it’s for a delicious smash burger, a Guinness and a prime parking space. It’s all about putting positivity out into the world, so be thankful for the positive moments, big and small, that come your way. I was thankful for Young Hero.
The Young Hero internship was unexpected and a wonderful reward for defining a purpose and chasing a dream. In my few weeks, I’ve learned great deal. I’ve had a shot into the soul of the real working world. I’ve worked on naming, video scripts, packaging, participated in meetings. Have I sucked? Maybe. But, the creativity, inspiration and hair-brained-out-there-stretch-your-brain thinking cemented my confidence that I am on the right journey. At the same time, I’ve managed class project deadlines, everyday living, a relationship breakup (for real folks), my parents selling my childhood home in Minnesota and moving to California. Talk about intense spring but having purpose has kept me grounded. It’s like a bank account with compounding interest, adding to my mental wealth. Following Young Hero, I landed my ideal summer internship with a global firm in Los Angeles. From there, I was hired full-time by Dentsu NYC as a copywriter. Gratitude mattered. It made all the difference. And, I continue to benefit from that with additional freelance and contract work.
How do I see purpose? It doesn’t have to be lofty. Lofty can be paralyzing and overwhelming. Purpose can be in increments, chapters of your life. It doesn’t have to be one’s long-term mission. Perhaps your purpose is to strive to find one good thing each day or to help humans in some way. But having something to hold, to know that’s yours is essential to wealth. Do I know what I’m doing every day? Nope. But purpose isn’t about perfection. It’s about rising and showing up to try. And waking up to sunshine, a glorious cup of coffee and writing. Had I not found my purpose, would I have been a footnote on a scholarly paper? Perhaps. And, for not being that gratitude is always the answer.
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