Nevertheless, she persisted
I was wearing this t-shirt on a walk with my son the other day, and he said, “Mom, that shirt is so appropriate for you!” And of course it is. I think he was thinking it because we were going for a walk despite the rain, but really so much of life feels like this right now. I had a milestone birthday this week, which has been looming in this challenging year, and it occurred to me that when you get older, the things you love doing aren’t always easy to do. Whether you are navigating graduate school to pursue your passion, hoping to advance professionally, or making a wellness plan, so much of life is just about sticking with it.
I am persisting with running. For most of my life since college, running has helped me manage clear my head, manage stress, and stay fit. But a little over a year ago I had a fluke fall when I was out for a walk. I tore my hamstring and separated my shoulder. I was terrified, given my age, that it would be the end of running for me. I was determined not to quit. I am too young to be done with running! But it meant that running went from something I enjoyed that made my life easier to something that was painful, frustrating, and stressful. It’s been a long recovery and a lot of physical therapy, but I am finally starting to feel more like myself when I run, which is such a victory! Even better, I see that I am stronger now because of this setback. Could it be that these hard events actually help us do better? Here I have evidence that persisting really does pay off.
I am persisting professionally despite challenging conditions. These days it feels like everything in higher education, everything I have dedicated myself to throughout my career, is under threat. From how international students are being treated to how programs I have built over years are being wiped out, there is no denying it’s a tough time. Resources are being cut everywhere. But I am here. I am putting my work out there. I have another shirt with the quote “Fight for the things you care about,” from Ruth Bader Ginsburg, also on regular rotation. We have to persist and we have be brave. Because what if we don’t? (Nike has really been resonating with me lately. You can’t win, so win! Just do it, because what if you don’t?) I wake up every day and make a choice to persist. I am here giving myself credit for that.
Persisting doesn’t mean you will always be successful, or that things will always go your way, but it is the only way to have a chance. Like my kids have learned playing baseball, you can’t hit a home run if you don’t swing the bat. And how many times do you have to strike out before you hit that home run? And you may hit a home run and then go back to striking out. It’s a process, you have to stick with it, and you have to keep swinging!
What obstacles are you persisting through right now? What does it take to keep you motivated? Graduate school and academia are a long game of persistence, whether you are chipping away at your dissertation, trying to improve your communication skills, or facing the job market. One thing I’ve learned at my wise age is that sharing your challenges in community with others is the best way to get support and build the strength to move forward. You are not alone! I am here to help. I can’t wait to hear from you.
