In the hustle and bustle of college life, finding your place can feel like navigating a maze blindfolded. For me, it was the allure of Greek letter organizations that promised a sense of belonging, just like it did for many of my friends. So, I took the leap, hoping to find my tribe.

But truth be told, I was as lost about joining an organization as I was about picking a major. Back then, I didn’t realize how crucial it was to find a group that really resonated with me—whose values and mission aligned with my own. Instead, I was just desperate to find my people.

So, I let myself be swept along by the crowd, joining groups because it seemed like the thing to do. I was a chronic people-pleaser, always more concerned with fitting in than with finding something that truly spoke to me. Every semester, I’d tag along with these organizations, trying to find my place among them. But no matter how hard I tried, I never quite felt like I belonged.

It wasn’t until graduate school that I finally took charge of my own journey and sought out an organization that felt right for me. Joining felt like coming home—a perfect match of my beliefs and aspirations with the group’s mission.

Yet, even in this newfound sense of belonging, there were hurdles to overcome. I kept my queerness hidden, afraid of how my fellow members would react. When they eventually found out, it became a battle to prove that LGBTQ+ voices deserved a place at the table.

Over the years, I poured my heart and soul into the organization, taking on leadership roles and fighting for inclusion. And while it taught me invaluable lessons in professionalism and leadership, it also mirrored the strained dynamics of my relationship with my mother—a constant struggle for acceptance.

It wasn’t until I had a spiritual awakening that I realized why I was drawn to spaces that made me work for validation. I’d spent so long seeking approval from others that I’d forgotten to seek out spaces where I was celebrated for simply being me.

In the end, my journey taught me the importance of finding spaces where I’m accepted for who I truly am—a lesson I carry with me on my spiritual journey forward.