We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zainab Sesay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zainab below.

Zainab, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

There was this invisible pressure to have my life in order and all figured out in my senior year of High School. I heard the question “So, what do you want to do with your life?” replaying like a broken record, Not just in my head but out loud from loved ones and peers. It seemed like a harmless question and honestly a reasonable one to ask. It surely was a loaded question for me that brought much anxiety. I struggled with answering because I was afraid to commit to something. At first, I was interested in social work and I was advised on the pros and cons of choosing that career path. Eventually decided it wasn’t for me and settled on Dental Assisting.

I started and completed the hands-on program and got a job immediately after in a dental office. I settled for working with the Hygienist instead of the doctor which is a huge part of why I disliked it so much. I was trained to work with the doctor but chose the first job offer I got with a hygienist because I was afraid that I would not get another job offer. I Made decisions from places of fear that cost me my happiness. I worked for 5 years at this job where I settled and became comfortable. Patients would meet me and always ask me the dreadful question “So, what’s next for you? What do you actually want to do?” Strangers had a better vision for me than I did at the time and it shook me out of the apathetic phase I was in. My pretty piece of paper didn’t have the power to repel this anxiety-ridden question. I began to ask myself what do I ACTUALLY want? All I knew was that I did not want to be in a dental office forever.

So I took a risk and went back to school. I hung up my scrubs and quit my job at the dental office. I felt liberated and inspired by this one decision I made to create a more fulfilling life for myself. That meant abandoning everything I knew for 5 years where I was comfortable and then starting a new journey to getting my bachelor’s degree. It satisfied me to have a response to the question that for so long I just could not confidently answer. This time I was certain I knew what I wanted for myself and that was to get my Bachelor’s degree. This journey landed me at Rhode Island College In Providence where I had to confront that scary question, again. What do I want to do? It took so long for me to decide on a major. I ignored every email RIC would send me about the fact that I did not declare a major. I was not confident in my ability to choose for myself so I waited until I couldn’t anymore.

Finally, I chose to study English and Creative Writing and it was the best risk I took. For so long I was afraid of choosing the wrong thing and because of that fear, I settled. Settling and being too comfortable is not an environment for growth or risks. Going back to school was risky for me at the time because I took a major pay cut just to be able to go full-time. I started working as a youth counselor at Mount Hope Community Center. I had never worked with children in that capacity so it was new territory for me. I planned lessons for Pre-k and Kindergarten after school program. I delighted in creating experiences for them through lesson planning. The joy on their faces while they learned through play was the best part of my job. While studying and thriving in college I was discovering a passion and that was working in a school supporting kids in the classroom. I would not have stumbled upon this if I did not take the risk I took in 2015.

Those decisions I made brought me to where I am now where I am working directly with students in the classroom. It’s amazing to look back on the journey and realize that no time was wasted and no experience was wasted. Every experience shaped me into the person I am today whether professionally or personally. The risky moves started off rocky and full of uncertainty and turned out to be so transformative and I can appreciate the journey so much more now. Life is more colorful and fulfilling when we take the necessary risks that help to create the abundant lives we were designed to live.

Zainab, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a multi-faceted human with many interests and skills. I genuinely love to write and I get to do that on my blog “Beautifies The Meek” where I share how my Christian faith impacts my everyday life. My relationship with God is one of the most important aspects of my life and I desire to share what I have learned and how God has been a constant in my life. I find joy in seeing how the Bible comes to life in the mundane and how it grounds me in this ever-changing world. Writing helps me process the thoughts that emerge in my mind and I find that when we have honest discussions with others, we don’t feel so alone. I am always in my head so the best way for me to get out of my head is to write. I also love creative writing whether it is poetry or storytelling of some kind.

Recently, I have stumbled into the world of social media manager/content creator. I enjoy finding different ways for me to express myself creatively and this is just another avenue for that. It hasn’t turned into a business yet but we will see in the near future. I am more interested in the creative side than the business side of things. Creating content has always been fun to me just being able to tell a story and make purposeful content makes me feel good. I remember when I was younger I really loved film and photography I just didn’t have access to cameras or any other equipment. Exploring that now is a blessing and reminds me of the fact that there are some things we may have let go of that will eventually find us again.

My 9 to 5 is working as a PCA (Personal Care Assistant) at a Public Charter School. I get to support kids who need extra assistance in the classroom. This job has honestly started to stir a desire for me to work in special education. I love the way special educators advocate for students and how they provide for the needs of a group of kids who sometimes get overlooked. Working with Special populations allows me to see what equity and inclusion can look like in an academic setting. I have such respect and appreciation for that line of work. Every student is completely different and they approach academics differently. There are so many ways to learn and I feel like learning shouldn’t be linear but it’s a rhythm instead. I think as educators we should always figure out how they learn best and then go with their flow instead of forcing their minds to work in a certain way. Even though I currently work with Middle School age I really love working with elementary age specifically Kindergarten through second grade. Children bring so much joy and they are some of the most hilarious yet nerve-provoking group of humans. Love it.

I desire to make an impact in the lives of youth whether it is through my Church (New Life Church COOLJC in Central Falls, RI) or in the classroom. I want every encounter I have with the next generation to be purposeful and for them to know that they are so important and they are worth the investment. I want this next generation of humans to be better and whole in every way.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn the idea that I could not have more than one passion. I struggled with picking one thing to be good at or focus on. This way of thinking hindered me from choosing a career. This mentality kept me from making certain choices and settling on things that I didn’t care for. I also had to realize that it is ok for me to change my mind. At first, I was interested in Dental Assisting but after trying it for 5 years I realized I didn’t want to do it anymore. I had to learn that changing my mind doesn’t make me a failure or incompetent. I may feel like a failure or incompetent but that feeling is not reality. The reality is I simply changed my mind and I wanted something more. Breaking down those limiting beliefs offered a new way of living and thinking for me. I am still learning that my passions (plural) and changing my mind are all a part of the creative journey. My therapist reminds me every session that I will not know if I like something until I try it. Every experience is purposeful for my journey, nothing is ever wasted. God can redeem the time I have lost and work it all out for my good and His glory in the end.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is the opportunity to make beautiful things. I love that I can enjoy the way creativity flows through other creatives. Watching other creatives do what they love to do is rewarding to me. We have the ability to come up with some of the most stunning art forms it’s insane. Watching other creatives also inspires me to intentionally invest in my creative journey. Creating nurtures my inner child and I feel so much more connected to God and myself.   

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beautifiesthemeek.blogspot.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautifiesthemeek/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beautifiesthemeekblog/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainab-sesay-83893b149/