Editor’s note: We’re looking for a variety of young voices to contribute to “Hits Different.” If you’d like to write a commentary, send it to Area Editor Jason Hennington at jason.hennington@ granitemediapartners. com.
Summer break, the long-awaited respite, is almost here. With yearbooks being signed, the grade book almost finalized and goodbyes to our friends nearly said and done, high schoolers will be let off on a holiday filled with anticipation. The grind of homework, Advanced Placement exams and busy schedules will have finally ended, and now it will be time to let go and have fun.
So why do I feel nervous and why do I lack a sense of direction about walking out on the last day of school? I met my friend for lunch and shopping the other day, and we both agreed the end of the year seems underwhelming and slightly disappointing.
I realize that such is true with much in life. We have been using the prospect of summer to encourage each other and hype each other up through even the most arduous of final exams and projects. Once we’re on summer break, we think, life will be perfect. We’ll do something new every day.
There will never be a dull moment.
The final weeks of school are jam-packed with tests and assignments, seemingly never letting up. Until they eventually will. When the last day inevitably comes, we will be done. Summer stretches before us, daunting and long. For how challenging the year is, it seems to be fizzling out, rather than ending with a bang.
I wish I could enjoy these few final weeks of school. I wish I could bask more in the finality of it all. Such is how much of our expectations unfold.
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Once I get this job, I’ll be happy,” or “Once I lose this weight, I’ll be happy,” or “Once I go on this vacation, I’ll be happy” (and on and on and on…).
For me and my friend, it’s been “Once this school year ends, we’ll be happy.”
However, in thinking this way, we end up neglecting the beauty of the here and now.
It’s important to recognize that our goalposts continue to move even after we’ve reached our goal.
Once we get our “dream” job, we want better pay, then we’ll be happy. Once we buy that one thing, we want something better, then we’ll be happy. And the endless cycle continues, with true happiness never being achieved.
The reality is, happiness isn’t found in material, tangible, earthly things.
It’s primarily found in your faith, if you’re a religious person, and secondly in your relationships with others. The COVID-19 lockdowns taught us a lot about the importance of human connections and caring for others.
This summer, I’m challenging myself to be fully content with my present circumstances, rather than wishing for something more. I’m hoping to strengthen my faith as well as my bonds with my family and friends through shared experiences and fun memories.
For me, that’s how true happiness and contentment is realized.
