8 | Feel it in your soul, and jump

If my camera roll isn't filled with concert photos and videos, it's filled with screenshots of inspiring quotes or lyrics. My journal is filled with quotes that genuinely make me feel.

To me, it's truly amazing how the simplest of words can have such a strong impact on someone.

There are a lot of quotes that resonate with me, especially throughout my college years. However, there are three that really stand out relating to growth, entertainment, and music.

Not surprisingly, there are three artists that I really admire: Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, and Taylor Swift. Whether I'm listening to their music, watching an interview, or screaming my lungs out at one of their shows, they always make me feel empowered.

I'll start off with one of my favorite quotes from Selena:

"Whenever you have a goal, whether you want to be a doctor or a singer, people will find a way to bring you down.... I always tell people that if you have something you're really passionate about, don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it." — Selena Gomez

I'm jumping into an extremely hard industry. Doors are hard to open, sometimes you get rejected, and sometimes you hold off on your plans to move out of state for just another year. I've had a lot of people question if my dream job is actually realistic, and I honestly think some believe I won't make it. But I'm really, really freaking passionate about what I love. I'm all in, and I'm going to make my dreams a reality.

My next quote is from Camila:

"Be courageous in the pursuit of what makes your heart pound and what makes you come alive with purpose." — Camila Cabello

This one stuck with me for a couple of reasons. In life, it's important to follow your passions, and follow what makes you feel. And if you truly feel something, you'll know it in your heart, you'll feel it in your bones, and you'll feel it in your soul.

When I talk about music or entertainment, I'm excited. It wasn't just a phase for me like people thought it was. Music is something that truly changed my life, and I wouldn't be where I am today without it. It makes me feel connected, it makes me happy, and I see how it positively impacts others as well. Why would I not pursue something that made me feel so intensely?

Lastly, I'll leave you all with my all-time favorite quote from Taylor:

"Being fearless isn't being 100% unafraid, it's being terrified but you jump anyway..." — Taylor Swift

Change is inevitable. With graduation coming up, we're all on the brink of new beginnings, new adventures, and new opportunities. It's scary, it's terrifying, but it's also exciting.

For me, this new chapter is about following my passions, and ultimately... jumping.

I'm not sure where I'm going to land, but I'm sure as hell that nothing is going to stop me from getting to where I want to be.

Here's to closing a chapter and exploring new beginnings.

Find what makes you feel — what makes your heart pound and your soul shake, and don't give up on it. I'm rooting for you.