What's Next? Navigating Post Grad Life
The process of change is difficult for many people and the unknown nature of the future creates anxiety and discomfort. It is easy to theorize change, but very hard to put it into practice, especially for recent graduates.
As a new life transition begins, conundrums and conflicts cloud the mind. Rather than being happy because you’re graduating and moving on to your career, many become depressed because the next step is uncertain. In a sense, students automatically feel like a failure because the money spent paying for school and the options succeeding are not equivalent or you need "more experience."
Let's be honest, I know you feel as though you are the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) in your family. It seems as if everybody lives vicariously through you and expects that your next move will be grander than the last. Therefore, failure is not an option. But this is part of the problem.
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Live life for you. Families often unknowingly create mental burdens and everything done will be tailored to making someone else proud. In this season of adjustment, drop what people expect you to do and follow the universe. Let things happen naturally. These are the outcomes which are destined for you. This does not happen when you force yourself to create a life around or for someone else.
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It's okay to not know. It is scary how life can swiftly become one big "I don’t know." I remember I use to be ashamed of not knowing especially when everyone around me was eager to hear my plans. When I became confident in simply saying "I don't know" many people were shocked but more opportunities came in the midst of my hopeful unsureness. We feel as though we need it and need to figure it out NOW. Life is short, so savor being young and stop trying to plan everything. At this moment it is time to welcome the unknown. The unknown is petrifying because it’s a mystery but I guess that is the beauty of it.
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Elevation brings new territory. A wise friend once told me, “Stay firm in your decision making and flexible in your approach.” Keep friends around who not only want you to succeed but is happy when you do. Your group of friends will alter during your journey which is great because everyone is not meant to bask in your ambiance along the way. Your real friends will support you even when they are confused about life themselves.
When my friend gave me that simple yet profound advice, at that moment I stopped being so passive in my decision making and did everything with a purpose. I understood it was not only one way to be successful. We define success and to me it is daily works of art and not an end goal.
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Take time to retreat! School beats you up mentally, financially and spiritually and sometimes going straight to another venture is not best at the moment. Moving back home is every graduate's nightmare. It feels like you’re taking step backwards and then you feel defeated. Being back under your parents rules is not satisfying when you are used to being on your own. However, that can be the first step to soul searching and organizing your thoughts to grasp the flow of a different life.
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Indeed it is easy to become complacent. Being uncomfortable is the first step of true growth. It is easy to become comfortable especially in college but be prepared to be thrown into uncomfortable situations. As transitions occur be open to possibilities and stop being concerned with what others are doing (thanks social media); everyone has their own path.
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Deal with change and don’t let it conquer you, and know at the end of the day "We gone be alright!"
