Aptitude tests have long been an early measure of what we should be when we grow up. By way of asking a series of questions, these assessments are designed to determine our fate of being better in one area or not in life. I recall taking my first aptitude test in middle school and discovering I would work well in the medical field. From then on, I set my sights on becoming a veterinarian because I also had a profound love of animals. It just seemed to make sense to me to combine them.
I navigated most of my academic career through science-based courses and did very well until I was asked to dissect something. The first time or two I was able to pretend that it was all just pretend and not an actual animal in front of me. Then came the cat, game over! There was no way in he** that I could cut open an animal that could have been my pet. My emotions got the best of me and I discovered my dream of becoming a medical doctor would have to remain just that, a dream.
Life moved forward and I discovered my love for psychology and mental health. I moved through my bachelors and went on for my graduate degree in addiction studies. I was certain I was going to change the way people facing life with substance use disorders changed. My internship was spent running an adolescent intensive outpatient program for substance use. Through that experience, I learned there were so many deeper underlying issues and the addiction component was not meant for me. I discovered trauma and grief called to me and my path again changed.
A test told me that I would be good at something and I listened. When I began listening to myself, I began to discover who I truly was. Sure, there can be indicators of what we may or may not be good at. However, we should not be afraid to change our path as we continue to grow and evolve. Where I thought I would be when I was younger is not at all where I am today. I have no idea where I will be a year from now or 5 years from now. I am a 44-year-old woman and I am so excited to see who I am going to be when I grow up!
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Photo by Lorenzo Maimone on Unsplash
