Slice of Life: Feeling Lost…

Lately I’ve been feeling a bit lost…

This coming December marks my one year date of  graduating from college and I’ve finally realized that as a young twenty-something I’m an adult. Surprisingly this awakening didn’t come to me when I turned eighteen, but rather during my graduation ceremony as I strode across the stage to obtain my diploma. I thought, “Omg, this is it. I’m an adult. What do I do with my life now?”

Even though technically I’m an adult, I still don’t feel like one at all most days. It mostly feels like I’m still transitioning into adulthood.  And as I grow older, I’m starting to realize both the advantages and disadvantages of being an adult. Sometimes I sit down and think about all the responsibilities that comes with being an adult and I start panicking. My mind spirals into a whirlwind of worry and I immediately start thinking of all the what if situations that might arise in the near future.

No one said being an adult was easy, but the real world is one big, scary place. And if you’re not on top of things it will chew you up and spit you out. I felt secure in the “cocoon” that was college, and once I graduated I saw that I didn’t really have much of safety net anymore. It was time to get out there and pursue my career path, and I had no clue of what I was doing.

I thought by now that I would have my dream job or would at least have an entry-level position in a job close to it, but that’s not the case yet. I do realize that life doesn’t go as planned, but sometimes I just feel so helpless and lost. On top of that I’m not financially stable (don’t get me started on the evil that is called “student loans”) and overall I just feel like I can’t get my stuff together most days.

The whole process of transitioning into another part of your life can be frustrating as well. I also think it’s hard not for you to subconsciously compare yourself to others as well. At most times I don’t pay too much attention to what other people are doing with their lives via social media, etc., but every once in a while I get that nagging voice in my head that tells me I’m missing out on great opportunities or I’m not where I really wanted to be at this part of my life.

I think most people have felt this way at sometime or another, but then you realize you have to “do you” and not to worry about what’s going on other people’s lives. You have to constantly remind yourself that everything takes one step at a time. And over time I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel angry, frustrated, or even confused about life as long as you don’t let those negative emotions consume you.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to take adulthood/life, one day at a time, and know that one day everything WILL come together. It’s not always easy to think positively, but I know I can do it if I try my hardest. It’s also reassuring to know that there will always be family, friends, and “adultier adults”(adults with more life experience than me) to give me guidance when I need help.

Through this past year I’ve grown a lot, and learned that through some experiences that I still have a lot of growing up to do. These experiences have helped me grab the “reins” of life and get back on track. They’ve also helped me to be more confident in doing things like finally getting my driver’s license, sorting my finances, and to stop letting fear get in the way of pursuing what I want in life. I know that if I believe in myself good things are sure to come my way.

Like Walt Disney says, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

When is a time you’ve felt really lost and how did you overcome it? What are your tips for adulthood? Comment below with your thoughts.

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