An Over-the-Top-Worrier and Her Newest Adventure

I am an Over-the-Top-Worrier (just ask my husband). I get completely stressed out over, well, everything. I question everything big - Did I pick the right degree? Should we have bought a second car? What am I going to make for dinner (food is a big deal in the Stanley home)? - and small - Do my friends think I hate them because I'm so busy and don't have time to see them (or use commas)? Did I paint my toes the right color? Should I watch an episode of Parenthood or Revenge? Yes, I'm ridiculous and crazy (just ask my husband). The worst part is that I haven't been able to stop it. I have absolutely zero control over my stress levels or what stresses me out in the first place, and it hits me so suddenly that I'm unaware of it until I realize I'm having trouble breathing. Okay, I might make it sound a little extreme (Daryn might object), but regardless, I am an Over-the-Top-Worrier.

The only way I am able to actually function and do something is by doing it as spontaneously as possible.

For example:

We bought a puppy. This is my little Sheldon Cooper. My brother's response to his name, "You named your dog after a character from the Big Bang Theory?" Yes, yes I did. Now, this event wasn't as spontaneous as others. We'd been thinking about a puppy for a couple weeks, but our choice of Sheldon was pretty spontaneous. I talked to the owner at 10:00PM Friday night, and we woke up the following morning at 7:00AM and drove from Provo to Logan to pick him up just so I could get back for work by 1:00PM. Not only that but Daryn suggested going to Walmart to get stuff for him the night before at around, oh, midnight (which is a big deal seeing as how our bedtime is roughly 10:30PM), which we did. 

My decision to go to hair school was semi-spontaneous. I'd considered the idea, but after my best friend decided to, I jumped on that bandwagon pretty quickly.

I almost went to China to teach English, which was so spontaneous I had to expedite my passport. 

I changed my major. One day I'm all set to go into the Education program at UVU, and after a 20 minute phone call with my mother I'm meeting with my counselor to become just a plain old English major (don't let my word choice fool you - there's nothing plain about it). 

Luckily none of my spontaneous ventures has turned out badly - knock on wood - and I have every hope that my newest one will create some amazing opportunities and life experiences that I so desperately need. 

Sunday night I couldn't sleep. Can you guess why? I was worrying. I was worrying about what the heck I was going to do with my life (career-wise). When I changed my major I was very confident that being just a plain old English graduate would not be a problem. I argued my case with several individuals whose response to my spontaneity was, "What are you going to do now?" What the heck do you mean, what am I going to do? I'm going to get any darn job I want, thank you very much. Do you even know the kind of skills an English major harbors? We can analyze the crap out of anything - literature is not our limit - we know the ins-and-outs of persuasive arguments, we're creative, thinkers, doers, go-getters, and we can read. A lot. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately, my natural worry-instinct kicked in, and here I was, late Sunday night, worrying.

Occasionally, I don't let my worry get me down, so Monday morning I decided I was going to do something about it. I was going to figure out what my life calling was (a little dramatic?). I'd been searching for an internship for a couple months without much success. I was hoping to work as an assistant to a friend of mine in graphic design (which will probably still be a side gig - yay!), but I needed something now. With my graduation date steadily approaching (December 2014 is not that far away), I realized I needed some work experience stat, because there's no way I'm going to spend the rest of my life cutting hair (4 1/2 years is more than enough for me, thank you). After searching the UVU Internship board for the hundredth time, I came across a post title:

Social Media Specialist

I'd seen the title multiple times before, but I hadn't felt qualified enough to apply. This post, however, spoke directly to me:

This position will be highly dynamic and has evolved into several areas of our company. From Facebook Advertising campaigns, to engagement building, to viral marketing, you will truly see it all. You will be a valued member of the team that contributes to overall strategy for clients as well as Lava Surf.

At Lava Surf we work hard but don't take ourselves too seriously; we also listen to and encourage your input and insights. In the office we listen to music, watch the occasional Youtube video, and check on our Facebook updates. And you know what the best part of our office is? The snack room, which you will have unlimited access to. We will also occasionally bring in lunch.

Lastly, at the end of the internship our CEO will write you a wicked-awesome letter of recommendation that will knock the socks off of a future, prospective employer or a grad school admissions counselor. So whether you have graduate school aspirations or want to land a top-notch job after school, with a unique skill set that sets you apart, we can help you out with that

Skills Acquired Through Internship
1. How to build out an effective social media strategy
2. Building online followings (getting more Facebook followers etc.)
3. How to create engaging updates on Facebook to drive traffic
4. Lead generation through social media
5. Building case studies & research on social media
6. Effective ad spend techniques on Facebook’s ad platform

Does that not sound like the perfect job for me?! I spend almost every free second checking my Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest. I LOVE social media, and I LOVE being creative. Not only that, but I'm freaking good at it (just ask my mom).

So before my worry could get to me, I emailed my resume. Within a couple hours I received a response, set up an interview for the following morning, received an answer within 24 hours, and start my newest adventure a week from Tuesday.

Oh. My. Gosh. I. Am. So. Excited.