Success is Subjective: Helping parents of college students accept that dropping out is okay

Episode 74 — Life is Not Linear —with Chrissi Gillispie

August 10, 2021 Joanna Lilley, MA, NCC Season 1 Episode 74
Success is Subjective: Helping parents of college students accept that dropping out is okay
Episode 74 — Life is Not Linear —with Chrissi Gillispie
Show Notes

You might have many linear plans and goals, though life is not linear. Life isn’t designed to go according to plan. You may not have control of that, but you do have the ability to lean into the process and to continue to move forward. When you continue to move forward and grow, you give yourself the chance to bring change and impact wherever you have the opportunity to.

Being a type A planner, Chriss Gillispie went into college with many linear plans. Some that she made happen, like graduating in 3 years and some were left upended. From being laid off within 6 months of graduating, being diagnosed with Celiac disease, and losing friendships. Throughout school Chrissi did everything she felt she was supposed to do, yet life still didn’t go according to plan. After losing her job during a rough time, she was forced to find a sense of rest that she hasn’t experienced since she was 15. After some sharp turns and bumps in the road, Chrissi found herself back at the college she graduated from, now working as an External Communications Coordinator. Chrissi’s postgraduate journey got off to a rocky start, but she now finds thrill in where the journey took her.

On this episode of Success is Subjective, Chrissi joins Joanna to share her journey as she navigated the challenging stages of college and post graduation. Many of her linear plans took unexpected turns and required a lot of uncomfortable growing. Listen in for insight on how Chrissi continues to learn through the ups and downs of life, and uses her talent in writing to make a difference wherever life takes her.

What You Will Learn

  • The two very different ways of life Chrissi was surrounded with growing up
  • Making college work with FAFSA, scholarships, loans, etc
  • How impactful being a student mentor was for Chrissi
  • The major life events following graduation
  • Taking time off
  • The journey of finding a job related to your degree
  • When Chrissi discovered she had Celiac disease
  • The importance in trusting the process 
  • Life is not linear

Connect with Chriss Gillispie

Resources

  • Foothills Gateway 
  • The “Why We Do It” page is my favorite on the whole site – you will see five videos listed, which I directed with a video crew, and I love every single one of them!

Connect with Joanna Lilley