University is like a disease. Whether it’s ‘studying’, ‘revising’ or ‘writing’ we are hard-wired to work towards a common goal that is meant to help us improve our job prospects. As we walk to campus pass the nasal-voiced busker and the fortune-teller-lady sitting on a milk crate, we have our serious faces on – starring down the barrel with tunnel vision. It’s kind of like squinting, or natural if you’re Asian.
Of course disregard that whole par if you’re studying arts, in which case you kissed those job prospects good-bye years ago (four essays on semiotics, six presentations on sexuality and 80 discussions on binary oppositions later, you’re still philosophising the meaning of meaning).
As we approach the end of the year and the three-month holiday call grows from a whisper to a barely sober yell, we start to go all Dr Phil (minus the sexual harassment) and reflect on what we want in life.
A sea change perhaps? The thought of reprioritising everything you’ve worked on up until this point. Two choices: be like Nicole Kidman’s face and stick it out, stand the test of time and remain the same or do a Madonna and work your arms out like mad, whack on a leotard and call it a reinvention.
So which types actually opt for the sea change? The ones who are realistically doing well in their lives with great marks and a salary definitely don’t need a sea change. The thought is just a mere lapse of concentration. The day these conservatives take on the sea change is the day we’ll see Germaine Greer in a bikini and waxed legs in a strip club. Not likely and not pretty.
The ones who are prepared to go on the real sea change are the ones who are willing to re-evaluate everything they have, do a Posh Spice and empty everything inside of them except for the essentials.
Undertaking new territory and weathering untouched terrain can be an intimidating experience. While some, like President Barack Obama try something new and win the Nobel Peace Prize after two weeks in the job, we’re fortunate if we even win the attention of Cityrail and tell them that the new timetables aren’t working and we’re still breathing down freaky guy’s left armpit on the 9am train.
Whether you’re a student, caretaker or one of Julia Gillard’s working Australians, you have probably lived the last few years with one sole priority. One thing, that like a circle, the rest of your life is centred around.
Consider now, taking that priority to the periphery and putting something else in the centre. It could be travel, learning a language or mastering a hobby.
Sound spooky? Well if working in PR and following politics has taught me anything, it’s that renaming something can help ease the pain. Treat them like illegal immigrants, when they’re asylum seekers. Invent the term wardrobe malfunction when it’s a nipple slip. Sea change? Think of it more in terms of renegotiating your social understanding of the self within the dichotomy of the public and private spheres.
