I have entered a new chapter of life—the afterlife of college. I look back on my years of school and I see a different version of myself, yet the same girl I am now. I see a self that was so excited for new experiences and new beginnings. She saw it all; the new friends, the new memories, and the overload of changes.
I especially reflect on my years in college. It was a completely new chapter for me, from living on my own entirely and putting myself out there in a way I never could before. It was the beginning of finally letting myself be me. I feel like moving away from your hometown; even if it is only 20 minutes away, it is such a life-changing experience. In my case, I was only living a new life 20 minutes away from my old life. I was able to change my narrative. I was able to put myself out there completely and see what happens.
I joined so many new communities that allowed me to meet people that would change my college experience. From late nights in the dorms to giggles in my first college apartment, and days in the sun with people I truly cherished. It all changed from here. I fell in love with so many new passions that I never knew I could push myself to do. I fell in love with creating a community of friends that loved to fuel their bodies with love and yummy foods. I fell in love with different movements of your body like working out, yoga, and even just walking around Tempe. I felt peace within myself by discovering these new things.
All these moments led up to the final moment of walking onto the big stage at Sun Devil Stadium and receiving my final accomplishment of the last four years. However, it looked a little different than the start. I surrounded myself with the most important people in my life and celebrated this moment; some were there from the beginning and others were added along the way of this journey. No one could have prepared me for this moment. This is the new chapter.
This new chapter hasn’t been that long, but it is completely different. I feel a difference in myself from even a few months ago to even a year ago. I feel fearless. I no longer care for what used to bother me. I think the one thing I have learned over the last few years is people are there for either a season, a reason, or reoccurring character in your life. I have seen a lot of people come and go in the last four years, but it doesn’t change the memories that I have had because at the moment they were the best. But it is time for a new chapter.
About two months into post-grad life, it is different. I am no longer stressing if I did the assignment correctly or if I missed a due date. It is really freeing yet scary. I have all the time in the world to figure out what this new chapter holds… and you know what? There’s no time limit on when I need to figure it all out. Just one foot in front of the other and it will all happen when it needs to happen. There’s no rush. Currently, I am working a serving job and it is so much fun. I am 22 years old… why do I have to figure out what I want to do for the next 4o years this young? I will just have fun and figure it out along the way. My only goal right now is to put my life into this blog and my passions as I work on moving to a new place for this next chapter.
This is all scary, but it makes it fun. Be graceful with yourself.
Lots of love,
T