5 Years From Now..

I think it’s safe to say that all of us did not expect the world to be where it is right now five years ago. The question “where do you see yourself in five years?” is a question I LOATHE with a passion. I’ve had this for countless interviews and it seems to get repetitive. I feel like we can’t cling on to what we hope to happen five years from now. It may set us up for a lot of heartache.

Five years ago, I was in my second semester of freshman year of college. On this day, I had probably just started my new classes for the semester, trying to recover from the struggle of first semester. I remember the summer of 2016, I was asked the dreaded question during an interview for an internship. Looking back on it now, that was probably the worst question to ask a young college student. I don’t remember my answer, but it was probably a generic “have a steady job, graduate college, etc.”

What really has happened since I was asked that question five years ago?

I made the dean’s list twice during my undergraduate studies.

I studied abroad in London for nine months.

I have visited Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Wales, New York City, Philadelphia, and stopped over in Iceland.

I went sailing on a yacht along the English Channel.

I became president of my sorority.

I dated someone for six months.

I graduated with my B.A. in Communication Studies.

I dated someone for three years, got engaged, and am now married.

I moved back to England.

I finished my MA in a subject that I love.

My pet cat, Bubbles, died.

My grandfather died.

A pandemic occurred and I hit my lowest point since middle school.

I lost friendships and gained new ones.

My parents moved out of my childhood home.

I started new hobbies.

Looking at this list seems exhausting. Little freshman me would never have imagined how much would happen in those five years. I don’t even feel safe saying what I hope my life will be five years on from this point in time.

I challenge you to think about and write out what has happened to you since five years ago. How has that changed you? Has it been for the better? What things do you wish you could’ve done? What would you say to yourself five years ago with what you know now?

xx Hannah