Read and Reflect: Be Your Own #GIRLBOSS
Our residents are exploring the topic of mental health this semester by reading and reflecting on the following books: How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan, Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso, and Everything is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love, and Loss by Stephanie Wittels Wachs.
Written by Lindsay Combs.
“Don’t ever grow up. Don’t become a bore. Don’t ever let the Man get to you. Okay? Cool. Then Let’s do this.”
Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time wondering what my life is going to look like post-graduation. All I’ve wanted my entire life is to travel and live in new cities and have a career that I love. It’s getting to the point in my life where I now have to actually make those things happen. Which, honestly, is quite terrifying to me.
While trying to figure this out, I am also working two jobs, interning with Women of Cincy, and taking classes full-time. Last week I calculated that I worked 51 hours between the three jobs… while taking classes. My energy is at an all-time low, and I can barely find time to sleep.
I think Sophia wrote this book to show that each woman is her own #GIRLBOSS. It’s not based on what someone else says or achieves.
When it came time to start reading #GIRLBOSS, I was beyond excited. I haven’t read anything in a while and this was exactly what I needed. I started reading it full force, ready to hear what Sophia Amoruso had to say. Teach me how to be a career woman and live a fun adult life. Let’s do this, I thought to myself.
In that first chapter, Sophia explains that being a #GIRLBOSS is not easy. I think we all kind of know this. You have to push through the critics. You have to remember what inspired you to become a #GIRLBOSS. I want to be a #GIRLBOSS because I was raised by them and surrounded by them my entire life. I want to change the world. I want to share the stories of those that could change the world.
When Sophia describes a #GIRLBOSS, she says they are “someone who’s in charge of her own life.” She also uses the words “fighter” and “badass.” Immediately, my mom and grandma pop into my head. My mom is one of six sisters raised by a single mom who worked three jobs to provide for her daughters. My grandma raised a pack of #GIRLBOSSES. Each one of them has fought to get where they are, and it amazes me. None of them started companies on eBay, but that’s not what being a #GIRLBOSS means. I think Sophia wrote this book to show that each woman is her own #GIRLBOSS. It’s not based on what someone else says or achieves.
“People don’t land their dream job right out of the gate, which means we all have to start somewhere.”
THIS. This is so important for us to remember. So many of my friends get these incredible jobs right out of college. Most of them are business majors and it has made me question my choice of major more times than I can count. It makes me wonder whether I’m living my life correctly if I don’t end up in my dream job right away. In reality, this is very rarely the case. You have to work to get to the spot you want. This book literally has a chapter called “Shitty Jobs Saved My Life.” The shitty jobs are important! I’ve worked in the same restaurant for almost FIVE YEARS. Granted, I love that place and everything those people have done for me. It’s a big family. But when I graduate, I don’t want to be stuck serving in that little Irish pub for the rest of my life.
You have to push through the critics. You have to remember what inspired you to become a #GIRLBOSS.
I worked at Panera in high school, and those hangry post-church crowds were some of the rudest people I’ve ever met. It sucked. But when I look back on the year I worked there, I think about how grateful I am for the jobs I have now. I love my jobs. I love my co-workers. And when I eventually get to my full-time, post-grad, “big kid” job, I hope I’ll feel the same. And I hope I’ll feel the same while making a difference in other people’s lives.