The death of a dream

WARNING: If you can’t tell by the title, I’m in a melodramatic mood.

I’ve come to the realization that I’m an absolute nutto about my career. I’ve known for many years that I don’t want to be a professor, but now the reality of cutting the uni apron strings is really setting in. Tying to map out my “next steps” has not been a delight. It has been more of a drudgery. It has brought out all sorts of feels – anxiety, sorrow, guilt. Eeks.

The anxiety I understand. I expected some anxiety about changing careers, especially since I spent 10 of my 30 zesty years in the same field. The sorrow and guilt, though.. they have taken me by surprise. Where did this devilish duo come from?

Well, one factor is a somewhat absurd but persistent idea of mine that I’m letting down little Gallo du ancienne- the spunky optimist who set her sights on curing Alzheimer’s disease when she was a delicate 16 years. I can imagine her being disgusted with Gallo du présent for quitting her dream. “You’re there! Why stop now?” she would demand. Similarly, I also feel like I’m letting my Grandpa and Grandma down. Grandpa had Alzheimer’s disease, and a prevention or treatment would have changed his and my grandma’s life. They would have been so excited to know that my research was in Alzheimer’s disease, and maybe a bit disappointed that I’m choosing to leave it.

On top of that, there is the jadedness (jadosity? Jadociousness?!) of academic research. Yes, I’ve completed experiments. Yes, I’ve analyzed data and wrote up manuscripts that were published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Do I think my research has significantly advanced the field of Alzheimer’s disease? Not particularly. My entire academic career was way less impactful and dynamic than I hoped it would be.

That is my summary of gloom, my friends.  I bring all of this up because I think it’s worth noting that there is actually a degree of real grief involved in burying a dream. Especially when that dream was tied to specific people that you love(d). And – it’s difficult to create a new dream (or goal, for you less romantic types) when you don’t have the advantage of boundless optimism, time,  and naive willingness to be poor for several years as you work your way from the ground up that you have when you were a youth.

Nevertheless, she perspired. Wait, that’s not right. She.. resisted.. the man! No, she insisted on having her own way!! She desisted.. the pity party?! There you go. Okay leave encouraging comments! Thanks! ❤


Author: crgallo

I'm just a girl, standing in front of the world, asking them to lolz with her.

7 thoughts on “The death of a dream”

  1. It is very understandable that there would be a mourning period for moving on from that dream, if that feels like the right thing to do. But just remember a few things (and I’m sure a lot more):
    1) You never know how even doing the part you’ve done has helped the cause. Either the research you did complete, or perhaps even just your determination and love for the cause inspired someone else to do research that you don’t even know about. It’s the whole “butterfly effect” sort of thing. You never know.
    2) If you don’t go where you ultimately feel led, then you’re also depriving *that* area of the world from your determination, inspiration, etc. So it’s worth the pursuit to figure out where you “fit” the best as a follower of Christ (and smart, hard worker 🙂 ).
    3) Nothing you have done will be wasted. It might take years to realize all the positive things you gained from your time in research and academia. Those skills carry on into anything else you do, and who knows, might be necessary (or just really beneficial!) to whatever you end up doing later.

    Looking forward to seeing what you end up doing!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. I hope I did understand your message sent to the cloud.

    Times of change stimulates the imagination and they provoke intuition, now attentive to reinventing yourself.
    But be realistic, keep your feet on the ground, and map out all the possibilities, gather all the information and analyze with sensible criteria, compare, check the experiences of others that may be useful sources of feedback for your case. So, minimize possible errors.
    I believe that way that the chances of hitting the target of success will be greater.
    Then, as to how the water, follow the obvious and natural path.

    Most importantly, ask the Lord JESUS ​​for help and guidance, and always give thanks. THE SPIRIT discerns good from evil and will spare you.

    Liked by 1 person

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