5 things post-grad life has taught me (so far)

You are your own motivation.
If you want to get a full time job that you love, you have to find the connections, scour the job postings, apply for the jobs. If you want to start your own business, you are the only person that can apply for the forms, ask the questions, build your business. If you want to move out of your parents house and financially support yourself, no one can do that but you and your own motivation. The sooner you kick yourself in the butt, lay out your plans and hopes for the future on some paper, and do something about it, the sooner all of that will become a reality. Sitting there and wishing your life ruled will get you no where. Putting one foot in front of the other and doing something about it, will.

Loneliness can be good.
Gosh, have I learned this lesson lately. I've cried far too many tears and been far too frustrated at the word 'lonely' the past few months. But oh boy, has it taught me more than I could have ever imagined. There are seasons for plenty: for plenty of friends around, for plenty of plans and Friday nights out, for plenty of opportunities to change lives and invest in other people. There are also seasons for not feeling like you have what you consider to be "plenty": for putting your heart into work and learning to sustain the few, real solid relationships you have. Not every second of your life needs to be rainbows and butterflies. Not every second of your life does your life have to look really cool on paper. It's okay to feel lonely, it's okay to allow yourself time to adjust to a new season, it's okay to not have it all figured out. If you are lonely in a season, allow yourself to learn from it instead of basking in the misery of it. You won't be lonely forever.

If you aren't happy, quit.
Yesterday I quit a job that just plain didn't work for me. And let me tell you something, I am not a quitter. I stick through rough situations just because my brain constantly tells me it will get better, "I will learn a life lesson out of it", the difficulty will be worth it, my giving of grace will be worth it. I probably have a heart of perseverance that outweighs the average human being. I usually want to prove things to myself mainly, but other people too. But there comes a point where you CAN choose to say no. You can choose to let go. You can choose to quit. And sometimes, it's a good thing to learn that some things don't work out, mainly so that other things can. One door closes so that another one opens. You have heard that one before, right? If you keep all the doors open so that you don't have to deal with your pride hating you for quitting, you'll never be able to see all the other possibilities.

Also, your sanity and peace of mind and joy about life is worth more than a few bucks. Don't forget that. Money may rule the world, but it doesn't have to rule every ounce of your life.

Have fun (for free).
I have never in my life appreciated free things so much. I mean, I thought I appreciated free meals during college, but now that I not only pay for my life, but have to save up ample money for my life, I so appreciate a good free activity. Basically, I treat myself to spending money on myself rarely. Free things have never been more applauded and appreciated, and quite honestly, I've realized how friendships sustain themselves without needing to spend any money on things. A night with my best friend is just as fun whipping up chocolate chip cookies from what ingredients you already have and throwing on a movie, as it is going out to dinner and spending an arm and a leg on the movie theater (and honestly, maybe it's even more fun that way).

Life isn't college.
Clearly, right? But the second I graduated college I had this absurd impression that once you graduated things stayed pretty similar. Life slapped me in the face though. In college, friends are handed to you. Now, it takes time to establish new friendships, to meet new people, to grow accustomed to living in a new place. In college, my life was balanced for the most part. I had a massive social life, classes where I learned, work and internships where I learned even more, I had church and college group and small groups and leadership positions. I had coffee and lunch dates with mentors and mentees weekly, I had ample time for reading and soul care... and I even could fit naps into my schedule on the reg. Now a-days, I work a lot, go to church, and spend two hours playing with toddlers on Sundays. I spend free time running my own business, blogging, going to the gym when my schedule allots for it, and once in blue moon I get to have dinner with a friend or sit down and read a bit. My life is 90% working. Life sure as heck isn't college. But you learn like you do in college, oh my, do you learn.

Sources: 1 / 2