“You’re on your own now”.
Hearing that felt harsh, but, laced with truth became the words I repeated over and over in my head as I walked across the stage at graduation. Taylor Swift said this in her 2022 NYU graduation speech. If I’m honest, I don’t feel ready to be on my own. The world feels chaotic and unorganised and messy. Somewhere in the midst of the chaos, however, is a silver lining, a bridge towards ultimate happiness. We have to take a chance on ourselves, and on our biggest dreams. We must move through life with the belief that what we want is ours, and that nothing can stand in our way. It is important to believe in the vision you have for your life, for it will guide you when you feel lost, and give you strength in the times where you feel unconfident. It is natural, and inevitable to have moments where you feel unsure of yourself, or unsure about what you bring to the table. Society tells us to possess certain sets of skills in order to “make it”. Society puts us down well before we’re adults. It is our responsibility to keep ourselves afloat and give ourselves the medicine to survive, to thrive. You’re on your own, but you’re not alone. Every stranger you walk past as you go to catch the next train home has a story, a dream, something or someone keeping their fire warm. You’re on your own now, but you have the heart, and the courage, and the ability to do anything.
Love, Amy x