Everyone, at some point, has a hard time. A time where life just seems impossible. Where everything is difficult. Where even waking up and getting dressed can seem insurmountable. Some people are able to weather these hard times better than others. That doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t be able to do it too.

The most important thing is that you keep showing up. You keep getting up and getting dressed and going to class and working on your grades.

Keep showing up.

If you’re struggling beyond your capacity, let your professors know. Sometimes they can be really understanding. If they aren’t, at least you tried.

I’m really proud of you for working so hard. I know it isn’t easy. I know things are hard. If you keep showing up, things will get better. Write again if you need a little boost. You deserve it!

Hi Duckling,

I understand you're struggling right now, and social media isn't helping. First thing's first, you don't need to follow people or look at content that makes you feel bad. What kind of content makes you feel good and reinforces your values? I like people that are anti-consumerism, non-beauty standard adhering (not thin and white and young), and share my interests. It's rare for anyone to do all three and that's fine. I specifically avoid things that make me feel bad.

Waking up and starting the day. This is something I can struggle with too. I try to make my mornings easier on myself when I remember. I make sure there's something for breakfast that I like, there's an outfit or two for me to wear, and I have a cat that tells me when she's hungry. You might not have a cat. If you have a window that's too bright to ignore, that's probably enough reminder to get up. It's just as easy to ignore if you can't do it. Some days are easier to get up. I pretty much count mornings that I brush my teeth a success. I think most of my mornings this year are successes, I know today was.

Next is emotional support and kindness. Congrats on getting your bachelor's degree! It took time and effort to do that, and you accomplished it! You did well enough that you were able to start a master's program. I'm happy for you to be able to find something you want to do. There are careers in hospitality, and there's more academia if you're enjoying the setting of higher learning. You can teach/assist/lab tech every level of schooling that you finish. Noticing your achievements and interests can help illuminate things about yourself that are real. You actually did and do things. You have qualities that others would appreciate, and they are qualities worth noticing.

My thoughts on kindness are along the lines of how I hope you would talk to yourself. The way someone that cares about you would talk to you, or the way that you would talk to someone that you care about. You're learning things about yourself. You're a growing and living being that makes mistakes and tries new things and fails and experiences different things everyday. Even negative experiences, (they don't have to be good things, that's toxic positivity) we can see the things that cause harm to ourselves and others and try to avoid them.

> "I feel really lost in who I am, and what I should be doing in life."

Me too. I think how we handle this uncertainty probably talks about who we are as people. We are different things all through our lives, and sometimes it's easier to answer who we are and what we need to do. Right now you have school, and that can offer a structure to your life. You can be whatever kind of student you want to be. You can find moments that make you happy. That feeling of being lost, I think that's why they call it an "identity crisis" in psychology, it feels urgent and painful. Keep learning about yourself. What you want, what you like, the things you have done, things you want to try, places you want to go, experiences you would be interested in, whatever inspires you. I think it'll give you some idea of who you are and what you want to do. It's okay to feel like you're uncertain. We all have moments of this, we're not alone. You're not alone, and you have all your mother geese here cheering for you. Hopefully you'll post here again!

With love, one of your mother geese.

Hospitality is a good choice. I can’t speak for how the masters comes in to play but I know people in sales and HR and a few Revenue Managers and most are doing well.

I wish you the best in your endeavors and that you come to believe in your worth. I think you’re worth a lot.

@nanimeli is right, social media is not reality and you shouldn’t use it for any comparisons of your life to others. Self awareness and self confidence are far more important than likes and clicks for long term happiness and fulfillment. You seem to be on a great trajectory for such life goals. Take time to rest and do all important self care and check ins with yourself. You reaching out for support in moments of weakness, instead of reaching for some short term means of escape or empty fulfillment, already show me how you are more self aware than many your age and you should be proud of that. Keep your chin up and reach out as you need to for support from your remote moms. ❤️👍🏼

Baby, I would love to see you getting some support for what looks like a depressive episode. Some things or steps you can take on your own like cutting down on social media. Don’t forget people who are filming their whole lives put a filter over everything and that’s not real life. What do you want to do with your career? I’ve been in the hospitality industry for a zillion years and there’s a lot of directions you can go. If a masters degree, doesn’t make sense right now then it doesn’t make sense right now. Life is so long and you never know where the world will take you. I think you’re doing a great job and I’m proud of your achievements!

Hun, this is a common struggle. I will say, getting your masters in hospitality can open many doors in the future.the tourism market is booming around the world. Add a language in like French and you can tour the world as an event director for company's that cater to the wealthy. Im proud of you, you are doing so well and I know its a struggle now. Is there any friends you can talk to about emotional support?

Why are you getting a master's? Is it possible to wait a couple of years in between degrees so that you know if you should go in another direction for the second degree?

Hi sweetheart, I just want you to know how proud I am of you. Finishing your bachelors is a HUGE accomplishment! It can also be hard because it’s like this big goal, but then what? You are so young and you have accomplished so much. It sounds like you might be a bit depressed and need some help. Even though you don’t have other family members to help you, can you pull together some energy to ask for help from someone else? Are there campus resources for mental health? A clinic? We all need help sometimes. If now is not the time to do a masters, so be it. You have your whole life ahead. The most important thing is your wellbeing. ❤️

Sweetheart, you are not giving yourself the credit you deserve. You have come this far and made it, give yourself that credit and be kind to yourself. Sleep schedules are fixable, not permenantly ruined. The saying sounds cliché but giving yourself grace is something we could all do more often probably. It may be you are burning the candle at both ends. It is ok to take a break from school if needed. A self check, how did you get on the wrong sleep schedule and what do you have control over that you can fix it? You might be in a little bit of a depression slump and this can happen and its ok of you recognize there are issues which sounds like you have. Get through this school semester and see how you feel maybe take a break after this semester from school. Be kind to your self and give yourself a break from social media. It is ok to turn it off for a while. Nothing says you have to have a social media platform. Turn it off and take a break from it and you might find you are able to recconect with your world again and prioritize you again. Make sure you are eating and hyrdating correctly too. Your brain and body need those basic maslow's hierarchy of needs met to function well. One day at time kiddo.

Digital detox first. Then pull your socks up and commit to hospitality, a longtime career as the powerful want someone else to do it all. Focus a little outside the box…2nd language? Studying what the credentials are of concierge in five star hotels with an international reputation. Splurge on a LinkedIN learning and brush up on communication-style and self branding etc. The overwhelmed feeling is normal. The workouts will come back. Give yourself a pat on the back for the bachelors. Keep Going.

Don't pressure yourself! You just completed a major achievement! You got your degree!

If you need to, take a gap between getting your master's. You've spent a lot of time in the classroom already. You may need a break.

Don't compare yourself to other people. There is NO MILEAGE in this. Concentrste on what you do and celebrate your own successes!

You are setting yourself up for a grest future in your chosen field. A hospitality degree can be used for so many different types of jobs.

We believe in you. Believe in yourself!

🎊🎊CONGRATS ON YOUR UNDERGRAD DEGREE!!!🎊🎊

Good afternoon - First off, big hug, second a lot of it is in your control but you need to start with small changes. How about a quick 10 minute walk around the block? The key here is you have to not let your brain tell you to do otherwise, pick a time do just go. If it's cold bundle up, if it's raining take a umbrella. Goal is fresh air and disconnect from your space for a little bit each day. Second deep breaths, the power of 1 minute of deep breathing especially when we are transitioning in our day will give you a boost. Lastly, make your self a schedule and stick with it. Lastly no social media during the week - or at least set up screen time so it nudges you off - remember 90% + of things on social media are exaggerated for views! You are smart, talented and you got this but start small with one new positive habit - do it for 3 weeks then add a second small new positive habit.