Part of the reason I write this blog is for me. Because I love to write and share with people. Reflecting on the day and remembering my dreams are very important to me. But the main reason I write this blog is because people who are college seniors or recent graduates often do not know what the 8-5, working life feels like. I've had a job since I was 16 years old (I actually did projects for a newspaper during the summer starting at 13 years old) so I know what it is like to work.. all the joys and frustrations that come with it. But being totally on your own and paying your bills is a totally different story. It is important to accurately show students what the daily grind is actually like... and to help them feel they are not alone. Sadly life skills - like signing a lease, picking your benefits, etc.- aren't properly taught in school. I was fortunate enough to have parents help me work through all of that the past 2 months but some people are totally on their own.
I say all of this to lead up to the wonderful weekend I have just had! I went to visit a friend (Mary) and mentor in the beautiful, sunny town of St. Pete. As I posted before, I just felt lonely the past few weeks even though I have some friends close. There are just some people you connect with on a different level who help you understand and achieve your most far-fetched dreams. Mary is one of those people. We talked about our dream jobs and all of our ideas to better the world. We talked about life and where we are. It all came full circle. She has been feeling the same as me for a year since she graduated. It is a tough transition out of your college bubble. Each day your schedule varies, you can walk over to your friends dorm everyday, you have org meetings that allow you follow your passions and make a difference or grow personally.. You usually have a roommate (either in the good way, or the "I'm living in a soap opera" way). so you're never fully alone... and if you are alone you can always find someone to do something. It is literally like each day is an adventure no matter how much stuff you have to do or how stressed you are.
Then you move off on your own ... some of you may have roommates still but I am in a one room apartment that is just for me. Mary lives with her fiance (they've been together since freshman year of college and are getting married in almost a month!) but it is still difficult because she doesn't have her set of close friends. It's just strange when you want to go off and do something.....but have to think about who to go with or what to do because it's a new setting. But just knowing that she has and was experiencing the same things I have been dealing with for the past 3 weeks was so comforting. I hate to think of her feeling out of place and having to adjust, but that is just part of life. She wants to work for a non-profit and realized that by living this she will be able to relate to 90% of people because most people are in our positions... where you just have a job. You aren't doing what you are truly passionate about and it gets discouraging to actually follow your heart when you get turned down for jobs, or when there aren't even any openings... when your dream doesn't pay much money and you have all of these bills to pay and loans to pay back. It's such a frustrating place to be! But luckily we can find comfort, persevere and keep dreaming because we have each other. Because there is strength in unity. Because our dreams matter and they are achievable.
It was just a fantastic weekend.. There were lots of laughs, a few tears and genuine talks. I hope that you can find someone that you can talk to about anything--no matter how ridiculous it may be--and they will still support you and help you to the best of their ability to make it a reality. Never feel stuck... every experience we have allows us to gain new perspectives and shape ourselves into the person we want to be. Don't think about how grass is greener on the other side, because often times it is just as prickly and rough as over here. Keep striving toward your goals, no matter how impossible they seem and do little things that help reignite your passion for them.
I am going to start doing more volunteer work in the community so that I don't forget my desire to help people and solve their needs.
I wish you a wonderful week and thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading.
All the best,
Alyssa
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