Where it all started
Since I launched The Dropout Journey podcast, many people have told me they want to hear more about my own journey in starting this project and what the process has been like.
That’s what inspired The Dropout Journey blog, where I’ll be writing about my ideas, thoughts and, well, personal life.
Anyway, this is post number one.
The idea of The Dropout Journey came to me at the beginning of this year, during the period when I started to ask myself what I wanted to do after 9th grade.
I had already tried out several new schools and had even been offered an apprenticeship. But I didn’t want to go to any of those schools and ended up declining the apprenticeship. I can’t explain the reason for it. I just always felt like there was something missing. My gut told me things I didn’t yet comprehend.
The idea of this project, though, had been on my mind for a long time, but I wasn’t ready to accept it. I was stuck with fear of what the people close to me would think; out of fear that I wouldn’t be successful.
Yet, every time I thought of it, I knew this is what I wanted to do, but I was still nervous to express it.
A few months later, my dad and I met at a cafe to discuss my decision on what path to take after 9th grade. We had been talking for 30 minutes before I felt ready to pitch the idea I had kept secret for so long but the moment I tried to speak, I started shaking.
Yet, I knew there was no better time than now. I managed to present my idea with a plan I had created for the coming year. The only response I got was “no”, followed by probably the most uncomfortable minute of silence I’ve ever experienced.
That’s where it all started.
That “no” led to me losing all motivation I had to start this project and I fell into a depression. Days went by but, all of a sudden, that depression turned into motivation and I knew I just had to change my parents’ minds.
It took months of many conversations before my parents were willing to give me a year’s time to test this project.
I know how hard that decision was for them and I want to end this post by thanking them. I’m eternally grateful for them letting me pursue this and I don’t take their trust for granted.
I love you, Mom. I love you, Dad.
Thanks for reading!
Tavi
