You know that feeling you get when you just know that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be? You know that whatever’s happening is exactly what’s supposed to be happening? It doesn’t happen all the time, so when it shows up, it might take a minute to recognize the feeling. But you still know it.
Not counting relationships, which I won’t get too schmoopy about here (for now), I’ve had that feeling only three times in the past eight years.
1) In the spring of 2002, when I was a junior in high school, I did my college visits. I only looked at four – I suppose you could say I was picky – but I didn’t need to look at any others. Hopkins was the last one my mom and I visited. It wasn’t a particularly nice day for a tour, and we’d been caught driving in torrential downpours the night before. But it didn’t matter. As soon as I stepped foot on that campus, I knew that that was where I wanted to spend the next four years. And I didn’t regret it for a second.
Hello, gorgeous.
2) I had that same feeling when I first interviewed for my current job in October of 2007. I left the office thinking, this is perfect. It’s everything I want. So when it was offered to me, I didn’t have to think twice. And again, no regrets.
3) And now, that giddy feeling that I had on Friday? Going to my grad school open house? Well, that’s apparently just the precursor to the this is exactly where I’m supposed to be feeling. Because as soon as I got to the school, I knew I’d made the right decision. As cheesy as it sounds, I knew I belonged there. Listening to the professors and other students describe their experiences only reaffirmed that.
It’s funny, for me, how some of those big life decisions can come down to a gut feeling. Especially when I’m usually very much of a pro/con list type of person. Or an overanalyzer. But I’ve learned to trust my gut with these things.
And, especially considering how the first two gut feelings turned out, I couldn’t be more excited about what’s in store this fall.
When you make decisions, do you trust your gut? Or are you a list maker, weighing each option carefully?
Congrats! I, too, count the gut far more than any other analysis.
Definitely. Though, it is nice when the gut and the hard analysis line up.
I always say trust your gut because it will lead you down the right way. Sometimes it’s hard to hear what it’s saying, but sometimes it can be loud and clear.
So glad for you!
With these three things it’s definitely been loud and clear, thank god. I don’t do subtle very well.
I tend to go for the pros/cons and lists as a rule, organizing every possibility before sticking my toes in the water, but when my gut offers an opinion, that always, always overrides the practical side of me … and I never regret it.
I guess that’s what it boils down to – if your gut’s going to “speak” SO loudly, it’s almost impossible to ignore it.
And where you are supposed to be, keeps you in DC with us…which is obviously the right choice
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’m a big fan of the gut.
Wait, that came out wrong.
…you know what I mean.
Oh you…
I’m pickin’ up what you’re puttin’ down.
i had the same experience with an undergrad visit, except mine was at w&m
i’m definitely a gut kind of girl.
I make lists but I always have a gut feeling- the list makes me feel like I’m not foolishly going into something without thinking of the other options.
I think through most of my decisions. I like to analyze and research. That being said every once in a while you can’t deny your gut feelings. Good to hear you’re happy with your choice.