I graduated!

Woohoo!!

I finished college!

No more school, let’s celebrate!

Eagerness and excitement are feelings we all experience during graduation season. But they also come with a sadness of leaving friends behind or a nervousness for the next steps. Mixed emotions are natural in any life transition and graduating college is no exception. And these feelings come in waves. I’ll admit, I mostly felt happy and excited toward graduating. To me, it was a celebration, but I didn’t quite feel that I reached a monumental milestone. To be honest, I felt normal. It wasn’t until I’d been a month out of college that I started to feel differently.

I’ve been enjoying post grad life for a little over a month now. So far, my time has been filled with lots of travel and adventures. I start my job soon, but I haven’t had to follow a strict routine yet. Since I’ve been living at home during this transition, I’ve been able to sleep in as late as I’d like (though 8am is late for me lol), go to midday workout classes, tan, or do whatever else my heart desires. Sure, I help around the house and plan my move, but right now my life has been the most chill it’s ever been (and probably ever will be). 

That probably sounds like the dream, but I currently feel as if my life is in limbo. I’m an adult with a degree, yet I’m living at home, essentially doing nothing, but I’m about to start working my ass off in a month. I know I am lucky I have this time to relax while having the luxury of a job lined up. I am extremely grateful for that. But that doesn’t negate the fact that I am nervous to start this new chapter of life! Honestly, I feel a little out of sorts during this in between period. I feel my best when I am busy and productive. Am I’m weird for that? (lol I know I’m definitely weird.) But in all seriousness, I’m restless to start working. I know taking breaks are important, and this break is much needed for me to be able to hit the ground running next month, but I’m ready for the break to be over! Who thinks that?! (weird people, I guess!)

Part of what feels strange is that I’m already noticing markers of adulthood. My parents and other adults treat me differently – in a good-but-scary way. I have more influence in discussions and decision-making. I am held to higher standards than even just a few months ago. Here’s the kicker: I am financially independent now that I’ve graduated. No wonder I’m anxious to start work!

All jokes aside, I think it’s perfectly normal to feel how I’m feeling. Everyone responds to change differently. There is no “right way” to feel. We experience different feelings at different times, and at different levels. That’s okay. That’s normal. There is no “right way” of becoming an adult and there isn’t a single moment in time that marks this transition from adolescence. This is a transition that lasts for years. We’re all going to have ups and downs along the way. We all get anxious about change to some extent. But we got this! Take your journey at your own pace and don’t compare yourself to others. How you perceive someone feels vs what they actually feel may be completely different things. Besides, worrying about others is not going to make you feel more confident or ready for this change. Only you are 🙂

Xoxo,

GabiShae