Most of my life I’ve spent just passing by, a simple observer, never aspiring to anything of grandeur, merely looking at the rest of the world and how it moves. Because of this I’ve become quite stale, but I consider this one of my stronger points. This foresight has made me humble and kind to others, and willing to put myself in others’ shoes. Of course this also means I don’t get what I want, or rather I don’t fight for what I want. But I, in no way want to change myself.
I consider myself a quiet 24 year old. I’m also told quite often that I should be the best I can be, putting all my effort into everything I do, but that lifestyle doesn’t suit me very well. The things I care about, I care for wholeheartedly. My friends, my family and my creativity. The last of those is a product of myself, completely in my control, and it sometimes gets washed over by my wanting to do nothing in life, to simply observe and pass by. Recently however I’ve stumbled into a chapter of my life that is slowly changing me. Two years ago I began studying Graphic Design at Dawson College. I’ve met incredible peers, teachers and friends here and I’ve learned a lot about myself in the process. Of course my core personality often comes through, and I find myself playing catch-up with many of my courses, but the opportunities to express myself through creative work here have been a true blessing. In the past I’ve studied other forms of art, but they never let me express myself fully. Arts and Language at John Abbott College was tedious and “mandatory”. Coming straight out of highschool, I was told by everyone around me that I needed to continue my education. Back then I wanted to become a writer, even though I never read any books. I suppose I had a lot of stories to tell, and figured writing was the only option. After my few years there, I jumped into University at Concordia. Again I did it because I was told to do so. But I hated mostly every moment of it. I was studying Art Education, and the only redeeming moment for me was having the opportunity to teach elementary students for a couple months. The competitive nature of University threw me off, and my laid back personality was in no way adequate to handle the tasks asked of me. I slowly dropped out over the course of a year and a half, and desperately looked for something I would feel motivated to pursue.
I met up with a friend of mine, who had graduated from Dawson a few years back, and while catching up, I couldn’t help but be enthralled by the stories she told of her studies there. She always admired my art, and she kept telling me how well I would fit into the program. With my parents breathing down my neck, and the weight of the future on my shoulders, I didn’t hesitate for a second in deciding what I wanted to try next. Something creative, something that forced you to think outside the box, and most of all something that didn’t feel like school.
Fast forward to today, I’m still the simple, quiet, 24 year old but now I feel whole. When people ask me what it is I do, or what it is I want to do, I can answer clearly and with confidence that I’m a Graphic Designer! Most people don’t really understand what that means, but to me it’s the assurance that there will always be a way, and an audience for me to express my creativity.
