FOR MY PARTY PEOPLE…
2022, where do I begin?… So many good memories you have brought me but at the same time one of the hardest and most challenging years that I have had. I know it is hard to sum up a year in a little blog post so I will do my best in keeping it short and focusing on some of the highlights. Not only was 2022 a new year but the start of my last semester at LMU which has been one interesting ride. I have always been a person that has struggled a little bit in school and lacked confidence when it came to my academics. So as much as I was excited to go into the end of my college life I knew it was still going to take everything I had to finally cross the finish line that I have been imagining for many years.
Now with all that being said, being the person I am, how can you not make the most of a semester with all of your best friends. Whether it was going out to our favorite bars, going to one of the many houses that people lived at, or even a nice trivia night I believe that this really was the best year of college. Sorry I know I am starting to go back down memory lane, but hey sometimes it is hard not to. All these memories and good times with our friends did eventually lead to one of my greatest accomplishments of not only this year but of my life. Graduating from college in four years in today's age is almost expected and not celebrated. For me college definitely wasn't the easiest of times when it came to the school aspect but in the end I did what I needed to do to graduate in 4 years. So being up on that stage and hearing my name called in front of my family and friends is one of the greatest senses of accomplishment in my life.
Now along with all the great memories that this year has brought it has also been a mentally challenging year. I have been faced with obstacles that I haven’t had to go through before. Graduating from college and TRYING to figure out what you want to do is harder than people think. I capitalize the “trying” because I believe people my age feel so much pressure to find something they want to do for the rest of their lives the second that you get handed that diploma. When in reality that just shouldn’t be the case, like seriously, that is like asking a newborn to start walking as soon as they are out of the womb. So naturally I felt that pressure as well and let me tell you, it definitely took its toll on me. I was in the job hunt for a lot longer than I expected and watched all the people I was close to excelling in their occupation. There were a lot of downs and negative thoughts during this time but I eventually found a job that I was excited for and thought would be a good stepping stone for my future goals. I am working at Decker Sports where I am a part of the sales team. Someday, I want to be a sports agent, so staying in the sports field was key for me. Adjusting to work life is something I am still trying to get used to but I know if I continue to be myself I will continue to succeed.
Speaking of being myself, this is one of my favorite sayings and something that I have really tried to live by the last few years of my life; especially going through some much change in life. So if I had to tell my 12 year old self something that would be one of the main things that I say. “Little Dominic, never forget to be yourself because for as hard as you are on yourself you are going to do some pretty amazing things”. Another thing I would say is whatever you think your life is going to be when you are 23 it is going to be a lot different. As many 12 sports players, I thought I was going to go Division 1 and have a crazy college experience playing basketball and figure it out from there. But… also as many young athletes figure out that is not the case. As hard as it was for me, I learned this about myself and I never thought I would. So if I had to write a little note to myself it would go something a little bit like this…
“Hey 12 year old me, you are going to have one hell of a 10 years. You will figure out how to impact people's lives in ways that you hadn’t before, but most importantly you will get rid of that awful buzz cut that you had and finally grow your hair out a little bit. You will go to your dream college where you will meet so many amazing people that will be in your life forever. You will never stop being the loud, personable kid that you always have been. There will be many ups and downs but always know that your family is going to be there every single step of the way. So as hard as it is going to get over the next 10 years, always be the Dominic Freitas that people love, because it is going to take you places.”
Now as I continue to grow and start to get into a little bit of a routine, another year is right around the corner. 2023, I have been doing this long enough where I know there will be a lot more obstacles that I will be faced with. Along with getting through those bumps, I have a few goals. First one is staying open to any opportunity that comes your way. I never want to forget my dream and try to do whatever it takes to obtain it. Another one is to continue to grow the podcast “Drink Smarter Not Harder” that I started with one of my best friends Lauren Giovannetti. The last one being, to stay positive and stay hungry. I want to continue to learn and succeed in my new job: to always be the best version of myself.
Wow… he finally finished. Never thought that would happen, did you? Before I go I want to say thank you to Bobby for asking me to be a part of this very special project. I cannot wait to see where this goes and the lives that it will touch. Until next time, party people… PEACE!
