yosef

05.26.2022 - thursday (late post!)

Aim for the stars, NEVER give up on your dreams. You just need to learn how to make it a reality. Our time here is finite, the end result is the same for everyone. So, tell fear to go to hell and do whatever makes you feel like it's worthwhile been alive.

Learn the most important skill ever: How to deal with difficult people. From minors inconveniences, to personality clashes, to narcissistic cunts with psychopathic tendencies who enjoys making everyone's life a living hell (mobbing). No school, college, university, trade school or whatever is gonna teach you this. IT WILL SAVE YOUR SANITY. Especially when you don't have the luxury of losing a job. So take advantage of some sweet internet and find resources about this. (Z Library is free and safe)

Expand your skill set. Don't stick with only one thing, learn practical and technical stuff related to your line of work. For example: In film school everyone wants to be a director or a writer, which is great but it takes time, in the meantime learning about editing, sound, lighting, props, wardrobe, etc, can open many other doors. This will pay your bills while you're dreaming. So, take your time to analyze what skills are useful in your work and learn.

Fuck the unpaid internship once graduated. It's slavery with pretty words. If you're still studying, you can (and should if you have time) participate in those unpaid projects, volunteer jobs, and all that; but never ever after getting your [title]. You are valuable, no matter what any company says, and you didn't spend countless hours of effort and sacrifice to not be paid. If you apply point number 3, you will gain experience while also getting money. No amount of experience is worthy. It's like influencers wanting to pay with exposure.

Networking, 90% of the time it's not about your talent but who you know, no matter what kind of job you are doing. And I'm not necessarily talking about nepotism. Sometimes if you know a person they can say: "Oh yes, Clara is a friend and she's excellent at her job. You should consider her." Humans are social creatures, we value the opinions of those who we are friends with or respect. Don't be fake, just be nice and try to get to know your coworkers and people from your field. (There are also books about this if socializing isn't your forte)

You don't need to fit into Dark Academia:

You don't need to be a student of ancient English literature, Romantic poetry or history, politics or Greek mythology.

You can be a student of Biology or Chemistry or Mathematics. Trust me when I tell you the stem version of dark academia is beautiful but underrated.

You don't need to read thick paperbacks of Shakespeare or Byron or Wilde, you can read poetries of your favourite queer poet from a pdf in the middle of the night.

You don't need to listen to only classical music. Put on some melancholy songs of Hozier, or Cigarettes after sex or Finneas.

Replace your black coffee with a soothing cup of your chamomile or lavender tea.

You don't have to buy expensive tweed blazers and sweaters to feel like a dark academic. Visit the thrift shore with your friends and buy your favourites.

You don't need to go to an antique library to study. Dim those lights in your room, light some candles, spray your favourite cologne and light up your table lamp to have the best study session ever.

If there are no old castles or libraries or museums near your home, I got you. Hang out with your friends under a street lamp and indulge in a political debate. Visit the lake nearby and watch the reflection of the stars on the water or watch the sunset from your rooftop while scribbling in your journal.

Remember, dark academia is for everyone. Don't change yourself to fit into the aesthetic. Tweak the aesthetic to fit into your choices.

[picture credit pinterest]