A month after college

It's been about a month since graduation, since I earned a degree. It's something many people dream of achieving, yet I find it hard to feel accomplished. While my peers celebrated, I found myself wondering why I felt so uncontent with graduating. Feeling as though I didn't do anything to earn this degree. I still don't see the big deal if I'm being honest. Over time, I know that in the coming years, I will truly come to appreciate everything I've accomplished during my college years.

In the past month or so, I've come to understand a lot about what I desire in my life. I've also had some profound realizations—though they may not be groundbreaking to everyone, I thought I'd share them.

Life is sad, I believe it's hard to be content, it's hard to be consistently happy. I think we feel this pressure to be content and happy particularly because of social media. The idea that we only share the best parts of our life. Social media is like our life's highlight reel. In reality, it's okay to feel. That is what the human experience is about. It's about feeling all the emotions and dealing with uncomfortable situations in order to grow. Life's true worth lies in the journey itself. When you finally attain your long held aspirations, you come to realize that it's the steps you took along the way that truly matter. If you are feeling sad or lonely or ANY feeling, please allow yourself to feel. Don't avoid it, avoiding it in the long run will just inevitably hurt you more. 

Friendships

Unfortunately I've realized that everyone is selfish. Everyone has their own set of priorities before you. I'm not saying this in a pessimistic way, I'm saying it out of clear realization. It feels as though during college i've been looking through these rose colored glasses. Assuming that those around me will reciprocate what I put into a friendship, how I prioritize them in my life. You should never expect anyone to reciprocate your actions because you will consistently feel let down. The truth is that your friends put you second, & now I do the same. What comes first is our own dreams, passions and pursuits. It's a hard pill to swallow, but once you do, you will find more peace within your friendships. 

Community 

The unique thing about college is that you are surrounded by thousands of people who are similar in age and within such a short vicinity. There is so much beauty in this and I believe I genuinely took this for granted. There will be no other point in your life where you are close to so many people that are in the same age group. So take advantage of it, that is if you are still in college. College allows you to build a community. There are so many benefits to this emotionally. I think it truly made me realize that I would love to live close to my friends. What's so special about life is the ability to share it with others around you. With the people you love. 

Opportunity 

When you graduate there is this sense of weight lifted off of you. Personally, I was extremely anxious during my graduation and originally didn't even want to go. After receiving my fake diploma I instantly felt better about everything. I realized that I have the ability and freedom to truly do whatever I please. When you start to sit there and truly think about what that means it can become overwhelming. All of the things you dream of can finally come into fruition. Should I travel the world, join the peace corps,pick up pottery, start pole dancing, learn botany, take more jujitsu classes, get my masters, move to the city, buy a new car? There are so many options, so many routes one can take and too many questions to ask yourself. I constantly find myself wondering if I should be sacrificing more than I currently am, and I wonder if you are too?

Since graduating, I've spent this time outside, with friends, creating and trying to be more present for myself. Life is hard, it's hard to be motivated, hard to go to the gym, hard to eat healthy, hard to do the right thing. It starts to get easy when you realize the potential within yourself. It gets easier when you accept that everything that is happening during this state is all a part of the journey. 

Mwah,

Kizer