Nick Thomsen, @nickthomsen, is a graduating photographer from Savannah College of Art and Design (‘21) and is making a permanent move to New York City at the end of the month to pursue his dreams. Thomsen elaborates on where he finds joy and how the pandemic has allowed for his generation to understand patience and the beauty in the build-up.
Coming out of a year and a half of a pandemic while in college, what’s been your biggest growth as a young twenty-something?
Coming out of the pandemic while finishing school has been tough. It gave me a lot of time to be introspective and think about what I want in a career, relationships, and friendships. I grew tremendously in being patient. Before it felt like everything was at our fingertips.. and now we’re forced to wait a little longer with things. Which could actually end up being great for my generation, since we’re so used to instant gratification. I know now more than ever that things take time and it’s important to get ahead or at least have a game plan.
Has the pandemic shifted your priorities? If so, what has changed?
I don’t think the pandemic changed my priorities. I’ve had the same goals for the last two and a half years and the pandemic just made me want it more. It has felt like a big lull the last year and a half so keeping those priorities and goals was important to me. That included moving to NYC, being a great friend, a great boyfriend, and enjoying time as it goes on rather than sticking in the past. There is a lot to look forward to and I’m trying to keep that at the forefront of my mind.
I think we can all feel a lot of gratitude for where we are right now even though our college experience has been like no other. How are you finding gratitude in our time and place?
I’m finding gratitude by just celebrating smaller accomplishments. I have always been hard on myself and don’t recognize certain things and successes because I feel like they’re too small.. but that has helped me through the days. Just enjoying each small bit each day as it goes helps time move a little faster.
How do you define joy?
I think of joy in two regards, something temporary and long lasting. I feel joy eating chipotle for lunch but that only lasts for so long. Something that is long-lasting for me is performing well at my work, having a great night with family or friends, creating impactful memories. I’m still working on finding those more permanent joys that I can continually invest in. Moving to NYC as a full blown adult will help me with that process I believe.
“Right now my joy is my relationship and my friends.”
What are the moments of joy in your life right now?
Right now my joy is my relationship and my friends. I’m cherishing it all before everything takes a 180.