The Hard Days

[qbt1990]

Hahaha, I can't believe I just saw KSUViolet's timeline now. That's one of the funniest posts I've seen

[KSUViolet06]

Thanks. I had actually forgotten all about it until this thread was bumped. lol.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

You guys know those times, when you want to love your organization, but you are just having issues? I'm there now.

I love all that AXO stands for. I love my sisters. I put a LOT of time into my chapter, I attend every event that doesn't directly conflict with anything that involves my future (i.e. auditions, classes), and that is the vast majority of events. But I'm not getting anything back from it right now. And as selfish as that sounds, it's really hard to be excited about wearing my letters and living my ritual when I'm not feeling others reciprocating and giving back too.

So... what do you do? What kept you going even on those hard days?

People who knew me as an active know I had a LOT of those days. I'm not a mushy person and don't get as much out of cheesy bonding activities as some girls do so I had to find other ways to recharge my sorority batteries. During the worst times I reminded myself that I didn't join a sorority for 4 years, I joined it for life. And I wasn't going to quit. Not only had I made promises, I put a lot of work in behind the scenes and I'd be damned if I was going to let anyone convince me to abandon all of that. My chapter changed a lot in the years I was an active, and it's a different chapter now than the one I joined-not one I really fit into by the time I was a senior, so I can sympathize with falling into a slump.

My biggest hurdle was to not take others being selfish personally and to remember I was probably doing a lot of things that were perceived as selfish, too...like not showing up to birthday dinners when I wanted to go home for the weekend, or not volunteering to help with an optional philanthropy event because I had a huge project due that week. They probably had similar reasons for not doing something for my birthday, or helping with a project I was heading up. It wasn't personal when I skipped out and it probably wasn't personal when they did, either.

Just remember it isn't about just your collegiate years, it's about your years as an alum, too. Keep on truckin'.

And Re: annoying seniors...I wasn't "that senior" because I couldn't stand it when women who had one semester left wanted to control the next year of the chapter...and partially because I was so, so ready to become an alum. Though on the flip side I started showing up to required events only so in that respect I was a sucky senior.

[Ms. President]

SmileAWhile, your most recent post sums up EXACTLY how I feel right now. I am so concerned about going into my chapter's recruitment when I feel so down and out about my sorority. I did just meet with some girls, and thankfully, feel somewhat better, but I just can't help but be nervous about rushing PNM's and feeling this way. I hope it works out for me like it did you, just being reminded of all the reasons I joined my org.
Good luck as your semester is starting!

[honeychile]

OP. it happens at some time all through your time in school. It will go away. In many ways, I was a super senior (took a year off), and my senior year, I used the back door 90% of the time I left from & came back to the suite. I needed that privacy, and the sorority didn't need to hear my nonsense. By the end of the year, though, I was the one crying the most.

Just find a bolt hole (as the English say) and use it when necessary. Being an alumna is worth every bad day, every bad week, AND every bad year!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Being an alumna is worth every bad day, every bad week, AND every bad year!

This is so true. I didn't notice this quote until now!

[KSUViolet06]

I wanted to bump this (because for many collegians, Nov/Dec is "that" time of year).

[KSUViolet06]

Bumping!