The Young Witch Deals With Rejection

When I wake up in the morning and finally settle in to start doing my work for the day, the first thing I do is check my emails. Why? There could be something exciting in there! A new sale, some cool info, when my freedom from quarantine will come, things like that. Today, I got a rejection for a job I applied for.

Now, I'm pretty used to this. I get a far amount. This is one struck me down a little more than usual though and I couldn't put my finger on why. It wasn't that I particularly wanted this specific job. It wasn't the wording of the email. It wasn't really anything to do with the email at all.

It really all started years ago.. A young, 18-year-old Aerin Johnson listened to her teacher and wrote a letter to be sent to her future self, five years in the future. A still relatively young, 23-year-old Ariel Johnson got to receive her letter almost to the day, five years later. It was filled with quirky sayings, what had happened that day and quite a few questions, one of which hit me.

"Are we a journalist yet?"

At the time, I was thinking very hopefully about the whole situation, but now, after receiving what feels like rejection 823 (it's not, but I like to be dramatic), it's frustrating. I thought I was going to be able to tell stories and do what I love by now. I thought I would be off living the life of luxury, not having to worry about how much money goes into paying rent. I thought I would have a lot of things by now.

I feel I should have done more by now, that I should have more to show for everything that's happened and that I've done in my life. Everyone else seems to be doing well, has a job they enjoy, has their own life apart from what they had before, and I'm not there yet at all. But Life had other plans sometimes and it's hard to see how those plans come together to make you.

The same day I received my letter I had to go to Target. I went in and decided to take a quick look at the books (my one weakness...besides cake...and all other desserts). Looking through I saw a "Start Today" Planner. I (currently trying desperately to get my life in working order) picked up and realized I recognized the name on it. Rachel Hollis.

I'd seen her books before, but never really picked them up, not sure I'd find a self help book interesting. This time around, I figured if I was buying the planner, I should at least know more about who I'm buying from.

As it turns out, I actually really enjoyed her writing. I'm still working on "Girl, Wash Your Face," but there was a particular chapter I read. The book deals with lies that women are told and lie 10 is what I'm currently facing, "I should be further along by now."

Hollis talks about her and other's struggle with this phenomena, and it's refreshing. It's nice to know that everyone deals with this sort of thing and I enjoy the perspective that everything happens according to God's plan, which is something that I truly believe. Even if you're not religious, the idea that everything will come out when and how it's supposed to is comforting to hear.

And right now, during a time where jobs are hard to find, people are struggling and many are worried and frightened, it helps me move forward.

After receiving my rejection today, I pushed myself to apply to more jobs and to try and find more opportunities. I continue to try and work to get to my dream job. I continue my blog, and I continue to write.

Because yes, young Aerin, we a journalist.