Do it for the plot

Dimas Bayu
3 min readOct 22, 2024

--

Is It Worth the Struggle?

Hide the pain Harold

There are times in life when everything feels harder than it should. For me, that time has been during my Master’s degree. It’s not just the pressure of studying, though that’s a big part of it. It’s trying to manage everything — long hours of studying, keeping up with deadlines, participating in organizations, and still trying to have a social life. On paper, it all seemed possible. But now, living through it, I realize how exhausting it really is.

When I began this journey, I had a clear plan. I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve. I was going to do well in my studies, take on leadership roles in organizations, and build a strong network. I saw all of it as part of a bigger goal, a future I wanted. But what I didn’t expect was how tiring it would be, both mentally and physically.

Staying up late to study, always feeling the pressure to do well, and having a never-ending list of things to finish — it’s draining. There are nights when I sit in front of my laptop, too tired to focus, and my mind just can’t take in any more information. My body feels like it’s running on empty, but there’s always more to do. On top of that, there’s the social side of campus life — attending events, trying to make connections, and just fitting in. It’s harder than it looks, especially when you’re exhausted all the time.

Sometimes I wonder if all of this is worth it. Am I pushing myself too much? Is all this stress and exhaustion really necessary? There are moments when I think about giving up. Maybe life would be easier if I didn’t try so hard, if I just took it day by day and stopped worrying so much about the future.

But then I remind myself: *I’m doing it for the plot*. Every late night, every stressful moment, and every time I feel like I can’t go on — it’s all part of my story. These struggles aren’t here to stop me; they’re here to make me stronger. They add meaning to my journey. Without them, my story wouldn’t be as interesting or important.

In every good story, the main character faces challenges. They don’t have it easy; they go through tough times and moments of doubt. But those moments are what make the victory even sweeter. I remind myself that the same thing is happening to me. All the exhaustion and frustration — it’s part of my narrative. I’m learning to handle pressure, build resilience, and develop skills that will stay with me forever.

When I finally reach my goals and look back, I’ll appreciate how far I’ve come. I’ll remember how hard it was, but I’ll also see that it was those hard times that made my journey worth it. Every challenge adds another layer to my story and helps me grow into the person I want to be.

So yes, I’m tired. Yes, sometimes I want to quit. But I know that these struggles are shaping me. I’m doing it not just for the end goal but for the story I’m creating along the way. I’m doing it for the plot.

Because in the end, what’s a story without some struggle? Do it for the plot.

--

--