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{ King Neptune is a boss. }
You made it through that ridiculously tough seminar class, you turned in your final 40-page research paper on intrapersonal communication and you walked across that very important stage. Just like that you’re done with 4 pretty significant years of your life. Now what?
Read moreWhen life gets crazy, losing a sense of how much you've grown is something that usually follows suit. Think back a year ago, 2 years ago, even a month ago. Some pretty incredible things have happened to get you where you are now.
Sometimes I get caught up in the now, that I forget to remember how much I've grown throughout life, especially since college graduation. It seriously feels like a lifetime ago and that's a little scary. Life gets crazy, but when you slow down to appreciate how many little things happened to get you where you are now, you'll realize uncertainty was part of it all. Whether you're happy where you are now or not, there's always a force pushing you forward. Onward. Upward. Things go wrong so better things can work out. A bad decision can turn into a right one; it's all in your perspective.
After college, I was in a place of uncertainty. Uncertain with my path, my degree, my relationships, where the next road in life would take me. This past weekend, a commencement address (I know I'm so cheesy) made me realize that the times of uncertainty are the times that define you; they're the ones that shape and mold you into you. The uncertainty is just part of our growth, it's necessary and normal and a time that should be embraced rather than feared.
Go on and embrace the parts of your life that aren't certain, those feelings of not knowing what's ahead, where you'll be next year or even next month. Don't be afraid of the uncertainty, embrace it and love it. It makes you, you.
When I look back, everything in my life was always so perfectly planned. From picking out my communication/public relations degree at Virginia Tech, to the 4 years of undergrad life filled with $3 triple vodka soda's and the best of friends, to a summer-filled with applying for jobs, snagging a job and surviving my full year at that job.
It all happened so fast. So far, my life has been pretty much planned to a tee. After high school, I knew that college was my next step. After college, I knew a job (using my degree) was the next, next step. It was all curated to fit my perfectly planned life. Now, it's funny how I feel like I don't have plans. Yes, I want to eventually get married, have kids, the white picket fence, you know the whole nine yards or the 'so-called normal' things, but right now I'm ok with how things are going.
I'm perfectly content with my excessive binge-watching of Scandal, nightly glass of Malbec and Wednesday Night cocktail traditions with my girl friends. Sometimes it's nice to know that maybe there shouldn't always be a plan, a 'normal' timeline of the route your life should take. Sometimes, it's nice to just go with the flow, be laid-back and say screw-it to the timeline. Maybe the unplanned route is the better one.
Sometimes I want to press rewind to my 21-year-old self, but hey I’ve learned a lot these past 2 years and I don’t regret a thing (ok, maybe those straight bangs I got to channel my inner Zooey Deschanel - that was just a bad idea).
{ Patio cocktail parties are all more fun post-grad. Hello champagne. Ok, cheap champagne, but still champagne. }
I never thought I’d say this, but so far I’ve had a hell of a blast being out of college. I’ve learned a few things along the way too. Naturally, mostly about wine.
1. Painting my nails is not necessarily my strong suit. However, going to get a mani is definitely something I do pretty damn well.
2. Being 5 minutes late is practically being on time, right?
3. Life moves on – whether you’re ready or not. It’ll keep passing you by if you don’t slow it down just a bit.
4. Time with your friends cures just about anything. Even if it is the day from hell – laughing with them, cocktails in hand is actually the remedy.
5. Move at your own pace. You’re where you are for a reason; don’t feel the need to get engaged, pop some babies out and be an exec at work in approximately 1 year. It won’t happen.
6. QT with yourself should always be a #1 priority. Binge watching Netflix, in your PJs, with a glass of vino is important. If you must, add it to your to-do list. In black ink.
7. It’s ok that the ‘work you’ is different than the ‘home you’. Even if it’s just your outfit choices.
8. Finding time to be tan is no longer on your to-do list. *Note: never be tempted to use Jergens, you will be orange.
9. Bribing yourself with coffee stops before work is actually a normal thing. It can also make your day.
10. When days are rough, shop. (See #4 for one hell of a bad day cure)
11. Looking put together doesn’t necessarily mean you are put together, but hey no one else knows that.
12. Dating after college is a damn part-time job. At least according to my girl friends.
13. Being indecisive on your cocktail-of-choice can actually be a good thing. Hey, I never knew I would’ve rekindled my love for champagne again. My sophomore-in-college-self would be proud.
14. Be picky in everything. Hey, if you don’t show some high expectations in all aspects of your life, who will? Don’t settle for friends who consider you a wiping post or boys that don’t treat you well.
15. Find something you’re passionate about and go get it. No one can stop you, but yourself.
Ever feel like life has blue prints for exactly how you’re supposed to live? Or maybe it should? Maybe we all need a user manual. Cue: an architect and/or engineer.
Engaged at 25, married at 26, kids at 29, somewhere between all that jam in backpacking across Madrid, moving to New York City, shopping at Ikea for mod furniture, starting a new job, getting a promotion, etc. It’s a whirlwind, but it’s the standard norm for a young "adult" trying to conquer the world. Should I be tossing my job to the side, packing a North Face backpack and jumping on a jet plane to travel the world at the drop of a hand? Should I have already crossed these off my list?
Sometimes I have to remind myself to slow it down - take a break from looking at others lives and their accomplishments and focus on my own. It sounds easy, it really does, but sometimes getting caught up in how others are living their lives makes it feel all the more acceptable to be following their paths. Feeling as if, “Wow maybe I should be getting my own place now” or “Should I be traveling the world instead of working?” It’s confusing and overwhelming. Maybe Robert Frost can help...cross your fingers.
“Two roads in a wood and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”
Boy did Frost put the pressure on with this one. I’m still quite figuring out what I’d do in that situation - take the road less traveled or most traveled? For now I’d say screw the less traveled and most traveled roads, make your own road. This time forget the pavement, car or hell even the game plan, and make your own - you’ll get where you want in your own time. Key words: own time.
Life is an emotional battle between the so-called typical path-of-life and finding your own place in this chaotic world. For now, I’m happy where I am. Everyday my answer isn’t the same, but isn’t that what’s so special about life - the unknown? Right now I’m perfectly content and that in itself makes me happy.