This post is inspired by the constant question I get from just about everyone, “why does it have to be a year?”
The “it” is the Gap Year and the question people are asking is valid. Why does it have to be a year? And the answer is that it does not have to be a year. I think a year is a great time frame, but it does not have to be 365 days. Despite the fact that this information is front on center on the page it is a question that is still asked frequently.
How do I define a Gap Year? I define it as a time that is deliberately set aside to explore the world, a career, and yourself. What motivates you? What are you passionate about? What do you want to do? What sort of impact do you want to make on the world? These are the questions that you ask yourself as you determine your education and/or career path.
These questions could be answered over a summer, 6 months, or maybe it takes two years.
The term itself “Gap Year” might be too limiting. It’s descriptive, but maybe it is limiting. The mindset should maybe be to call them Gap Years, but think about them as Possibilities. Because during a Gap Year you’re thinking about all the possibilities and avenues you could take.
My Gap Year was actually two ten month terms with AmeriCorps *NCCC. I did the second year term because I realized that I had not really asked myself those questions during the first term. If I had gone in with a more focused mindset, maybe I would not have done the second term. Who knows? I am really glad I took those two years to give to others and figure out what motivates me and eliminate different career paths from the myriad options that are out there.
The question is not so much how long you are going to Gap, but why you are doing it. If you have a purpose for Gapping and want to learn about the world and yourself then the time will be better spent.
that’s it that’s all
skip “The Harder They Come” burns
