By Krysta Madison, Special to the Journal
Dear Emma,
Fulfillment is something everyone strives for, whether it’s feeling at ease or having what they need. I am a senior at Powell High School, taking all my classes through Pellissippi State Community College. As a high school student, reaching fulfillment is important and stressful as I enter college. While reading your article “The Journey Towards Fulfillment,” I realized fulfillment is not a “one-size-fits-all” ideal, but a personal achievement that comes in different ways.
For the longest time, my routine looked the same every morning: wake up, go to school, go to practice or play a game, then go home and sleep while working on weekends. I love basketball, but between that and school, my schedule was full and I was exhausted. I was so tired and felt like something was missing from my life; I couldn’t wait to get to college to start my real life. I wouldn’t have to worry about basketball, so I would have more time for studying, working, and spending time with friends.
To me, college meant freedom and fulfillment, but as I take college classes, I’m still exhausted and busy. You wrote about how fulfillment can be disguised: “But, in stepping away from what I had known all those years, I now understand that sometimes the fulfilling risk is actually disguised as the safe choice.” As I played basketball throughout high school, I felt fulfilled, but when basketball ended, I felt empty. I struggled looking for something that fulfilled me, so I tried coaching. I was hesitant because I thought I would be too hard on the kids, but I found out that this gave me the fulfillment I was looking for.
Another thing that resonated with me in your article was your perspective on how fulfillment comes from purpose and personal values rather than success. When you work hard to earn an achievement that doesn’t align with your personal values, you will still feel unhappy and empty. For example, you rowed for many years and still felt unhappy because you did not have an interest in it to fulfill yourself; “I had spent five long years committed to everyone but myself, to others who cared less about moving the boat and more about who was in charge of the rhythm.”
Many students experience pressure to succeed academically and to constantly perform at a high level. Society encourages students to get good grades, get high-paying jobs, or gain recognition to achieve fulfillment. Working hard is important in school, but excessive effort can lead to burnout and high stress levels. My parents have always pushed me to work hard and get good grades; it helped me develop a strong work ethic, but it started to take a toll on me mentally. There were some classes that were just harder for me to excel in, and when I got any grade below an A, I would beat myself up and think I was stupid. This became a recurring cycle, and it took a toll on my mental health to the point where I believed that grades were the only thing that defined me. Giving people other opportunities to succeed can help them develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. Some people need a little help and direction to find what fulfills them.
Something else that resonated with me was when you raised a good point: fulfillment is often understood as, and can be confused with, success, but you went into detail about how it can be disguised. I believe that fulfillment comes from personal achievement with meaning behind it, rather than from just the achievement itself. Making choices for self-fulfillment can help people lead a more meaningful and successful life. As I pursued my academic career, I would pressure myself to get A’s because I believed it would fulfill me. It was just a successful achievement. Pressuring myself to get all these good grades over everything in life made me burn out and caused more stress than anything else. I don’t let myself do anything by halves, but I don’t pull all-nighters or prioritize academics over my health anymore. I take time to do things that matter to me and bring me fulfillment, not just my grades.
In conclusion, this article helped me reflect on what I am doing with my life and think about what things have fulfilled me. I have realized the difference between success and fulfillment and your article does a great job of explaining how it can be disguised. Fulfillment means different things to many people, but this article has helped me clarify my definition, and I hope it helps others recognize the fulfillment in their lives.
Sincerely,
Krysta Madison
