everyday rebekah

Post-grad is scary. For the first time in our lives, everyone is on different wavelengths. We’ve all been trained throughout our lives to compare ourselves to others. To see if we are on the right track. Although we all know we really shouldn’t…

But it’s always been a way to know that everything in our lives is okay, that we are keeping up with the pace. But now we can’t do that. It’s officially on our own timing, and unknown.

What I have realized throughout this process is that the quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” has never really hit so hard until now. There truly is no point to compare because here are two other quotes I am comforting myself with as well:

1. Everything happens for a reason.
2. Rejection is redirection.

Everything will be okay. Everyone is on their own path.

My friends I grew up with, the people I graduated with, they’re moving away to big cities. And that’s wonderful for them. While this is normal for this to happen, it has been hard to see their lives changing, and mine going stagnant.

Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for the fact that I have my parents to lean on and I have a home to go to. I just had expectations for myself.

I thought I would have been in New York by now, my dream since I was a little girl.

I had this vision for myself and where I would be after graduation, and I’m not there, and now I’m doubting myself. It’s hard not to.

As well as hearing that the job market is the worst it’s been in a decade, and you need 1-2 years of experience for a post-grad job with a post-grad salary. In this economy?!

Post-grad is scary because life is unsettling. I don’t know when I’ll get a job. Even when applying to 100 places, I don’t know when they’ll respond. I also don’t want to settle too much at home, because what if I uproot in the next 2 months? The routine isn’t normal, but it is my new normal.

I’m truly not trying to depress anyone; I want people who read this to relate or know they aren’t alone. I wish there was a happier ending to this, but I haven’t reached that point yet. I will say I enjoy how peaceful this summer has been. How nice it is to know I’ll never have “homework” again.

I think what I’m trying to say is that no matter how scary it can be, it’s also so exciting. It’s exciting to start the beginning of our lives. We are finally at the chapter that all our teachers have pushed us to. It’s exciting, the endless possibilities you have at 21 or 22 or even 25. Want to explore the world? Au-pair or teach! Want to volunteer? join the peace corps! Feeling stuck in your degree you graduated with? Do something else! I know so many people who have a job in something completely different than their degree. Feeling defeated in the job market? (me) Create a passion project! (this)

This is a scary but exciting time in my life. I feel as though it’s the time to take risks. We have far more to lose once we are married or have children. And one day, there is going to be a time in our lives when we’ll wish we did that “one thing” when we were in our 20s, but we were too scared to jump. I’m just saying to myself, the money will come one day. And at least consider opening the possibility of doing that “one thing” because we are young, and if you are like me, recently graduated and have no dependents, this is a pretty rare time that we have. So I say if you have a choice of being scared or excited, pick excited, it’s more fun.