Spring is finally here, in temperature and in name. Many people have been cleaning their rooms, their desks and their cars, but not me. I’ve been doing a deeper cleaning — a cleaning of my mind. Clearing it of all the thoughts of doom and gloom that have amassed over the last year. Those are the ones that went something like, “I will be jobless next year.” “I will be poor and unable to buy shoes next year.” “I’m untalented.” “I’m a failure in life,” and so on.

Yes, it’s true that it’s hard to find a job. Fewer companies are hiring, and many people are being laid off. But I’m not a failure. And neither are you. Just because the economy isn’t booming the way it was four years ago when I first came to college, doesn’t mean I have to give up, merely that I have to try harder.

I’ve realized lately that my method of job searching was completely flawed. I would apply to dozens of jobs mindlessly, hoping that I would catch the attention of an HR person somewhere and land some position or another. Oh, how wrong I was.

This may not have been such an epiphany if I had taken the time to read a self-help book or two, but nevertheless, I’ve finally reached an understanding. The best way to take your next step is to know what you’re passionate about and pursue it. Think about it this way, are you more likely to date a guy who is in the “looking for” section of his Facebook page chooses “anything I can get,” or the one who pursues you and only you? Don’t be the “anything-I-can-get” person when it comes to determining your future, it’s just not attractive.

Many people have trouble knowing what their passion actually is. I’d suggest paying more attention to everyday activities. Think about what makes you truly happy. Think about what excites you. Think about what you can do for the rest of your life. Think about what makes it easy to get out of bed in the morning, and do everything in your power to make that the thing you do for the rest of your life.

For me, this savvy came last week when I worked so hard I almost killed myself. I was so busy that I forgot to eat. I lived off of three hours of sleep for three nights in a row. But I was happy — the kind of happy that I want to be for the rest of my life — the kind of happy you can only be when you are pursuing your passion.

I won’t tell you what my passion is; I’ll wait for you to recognize me when I’m famous. But I will tell you this: Spring is a time to rid yourself of berating thoughts and a time to make your dreams come true. Find out what you want to do and chase it. Type your résumé on lavender-scented paper, stop into your dream office and ask for an informational interview. Do whatever it takes. You won’t regret it when you’re old, gray and still fulfilled every day.

Reach opinion editor Natalie Sikavi at opinion@dailyuw.com.