Sad fact: No one seems keen to hire an analytical finance major pursuing a creative digital marketing role. I am confident in myself and the experience I have gained in six years of blogging. It’s just conveying this to potential employers in a professional way. As I hit the job search hard, I am feeling lost, stuck, and overwhelmed. 
Today’s post inspiration is an attempt to quiet the negative thoughts and frustration I am feeling. Come play along. There are no right or wrong answers, go with your gut instinct!
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
I like to think I have the heart, wonder and spirit of a child. My mind is always hungry to learn, my feet itching to wander more. But I am undoubtedly an old soul at heart. I prefer falling asleep early and waking to see the sunrise and start my day.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
What if everything goes terribly wrong? But then again, what if everything goes terribly right? Failure is both the best and worst thing that can happen to you. When you don’t fail, you succeed. When you do fail, it is experience and a lesson learned.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
We risk every time we go after something worthwhile. This is exactly why I quit my job in banking to travel Europe. I am done settling for a subpar to mediocre life. I want to wake up excited and proud of where I am.
Some are happy staying forever within their comfort zone; but this places bounds on experiencing all life has to offer. We can either cling to what feels safe, or realize the worst disappointment is in not chasing after our dreams.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
The past few years I have made a conscious effort to walk the walk and put my words into action. A big reason I publicize my challenges and goals on social media is to hold myself accountable to live up to my words. Take this gem of a comeback to a negative response to my #BeTheChange as an example.
5. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I would be a travel blogger instead of holding down a steady 9 to 5 just because that’s what society tells you to do. I was once called by a friend a “free-loading hippie” for my sponsored blog posts. People don’t realize how much work goes into blogging – content creation, photography, editing, social media promotion.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Traveling far and wide, documenting my adventures via writing and photos. Meeting interesting new people, embracing unique cultures and giving back to communities I visited along the way.
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I have come a long way from my Type-A perfectionist days, and am pushing myself to follow my passions, even when it can be risky. Discomfort is a sign you are pushing yourself towards growth and will come out a stronger person in the end.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I would not take one single day for granted. I would give up alcohol, because I wouldn’t have time to spend hungover. I would seize the day, not worrying about tomorrow. I would hope to find my soulmate, to know how it feels to be loved unconditionally, through the good days and the bad. I would book a flight with this person around the world and never look back.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I have decided to make a conscious effort to take back control, rise above my excuses and put my best self out into the world. Everyone is “too busy” “too tired” “too poor” Realizing I am the only one that has power over how I react to my circumstances.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
It is always better to have the intention to do the right thing. Whether you do something perfectly or not is of little concern as long as you give it your all.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
I have no filter, so to avoid saying something I regret, I would take the high road and walk out without saying a single word. Sometimes silence speaks louder than words.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
You don’t need to have your whole life planned out ahead of time. Let it flow and roll with the punches. Ironically enough, I’ve “planned” out 50 lessons I will teach my daughter one day. *I don’t yet have that daughter*
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
If it was my mother, yes.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
Every noteworthy innovation or stroke of genius is considered insane at first. In the words of good ol’ Steve Jobs, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do”
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I prioritize and spend money than most of my family and friends. Instead of buying material things, I prefer to buy plane tickets. Experiences make life far richer.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
I believe some people are either afraid to venture out and explore the unknown, happier staying cozy in their comfort zone. Others believe they don’t have the means, either money or time, to travel. Let me tell you, this is BS. If you prioritize travel in your life, you can make it a reality, no matter your circumstances.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Skydiving! At first it was the cost. Now it’s more finding someone to experience it with me. And a beautiful place to do so.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Yes. Resentment towards my father and my brother. They make it hard to love.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Australia was an amazing place to live. My second choice would be Budapest or Prague – such exciting cities that I would never grow bored of!
20. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
I like to think of myself as a loyal friend. But always being on the move, it gets complicated to keep in touch across time zones and busy schedules. You better believe, if you need me, I will be there in an instant.
21. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
I have moved away several times and try to stay in touch with friends. Now that I am living back in my hometown, it hurts to feel that almost everyone has deserted me *because* I made the choice to move away and lead a non-conventional life.
22. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
There’s something to be said of all that I have experienced in the past. But what would be the point of living if not to make new memories with new people? I like to think of pictures as my return ticket to a moment otherwise gone forever.
23. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
When I moved across the world to Sydney. Or when I was traveling through 18 countries of Europe. Notice a trend?
24. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
I am currently on the job search, so unemployed. But I can imagine not keeping busy by working. I would go stir crazy lounging around the house all day, everyday. I have too much drive to learn and grow myself mentally every single day.
25. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
It feels like day by day goes by and not much changes. But when I look back at pictures of myself in high school and college, frail and unhappy, I am so proud of the day by day growth I have made that has all brought me to this healthy point in my life. I feel more alive than ever before.
Get Inspired: 25 Questions to Free Your Mind.
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