5 Important Things To Remember As You Enter The Real World:
We live and we learn, but there are a few things that I wish I had known sooner once I entered the real world…
With the graduating class of 2020 set to embark upon their next journey in life, I wanted to share a few important things that my younger self would have benefited from earlier on:
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Don’t Compare Your Journey To Others’
The “real world” will in fact throw each and every person their own trials and tribulations. It will also throw each and every person their own successes and triumphs. None of which can be measured or compared to the next individual. Everyone has their own path; Where you are in life is unique and special to you and you only. Your success is not defined by where someone else may be in their journey. Stay the course!
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Be Authentically And Unapologetically YOU
Contrary to popular belief, the “real world” favors those who are bold enough to navigate this life being true to themselves. There will be countless jobs, people, and opportunities that come and go, but it is much easier to deal with these things when you are strong in your sense of self. This life will do what it can to change you, and at times it may even succeed in doing so, but above all else, you are meant to be exactly who you are. Being yourself is an act of bravery, and fortune favors the brave.
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Take Risks
We can get so caught up in following societal standards or plans that others have laid out for us that we forget we only have one life to live. Sometimes being in a rush to “start your life” or “get it all figured out” early on can keep us from some very important, character building moments. You will never be as young and as free as you are right now. You have time to “figure it out,” you have time to correct mistakes, but you won’t always get another opportunity to capitalize on the potential good that can come from that risk. So do it. Take it.
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Go At Your Own Pace
I know people who went to college at 18, and I’ve known people who didn’t go until they were 30. I know people who got married young and had it work out, and I’ve known people who had to start anew. Society can lead us to believe there is a right and wrong way or a right and wrong time to do things. I’m here to tell you, it’s not true. Everyone has their own pace. Sometimes, things work out the first time. Sometimes, we aren’t quite ready to receive certain things in this life. And sometimes, we are forced to start all over and try again. All of which is OK. The pace of your journey is yours and yours alone, you will be no more or no less of a successful individual if you take the scenic route or decide to dive in head first.
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Cherish The Moment You Are In
As someone who was always looking forward to the next milestone, the next chapter, the next big “wow” moment life had to offer, one of my deepest regrets is not fully absorbing each moment for what it was and what it was giving me at the time. You’ll never be where you are again, with these people, at these places, doing these things. It’s all beautiful, it’s all pivotal, and it’s all worth living. Cherish it all, the good, the bad, the ugly. You will be better for it, each and every time.
Remember the best is yet to come. Remember to be open to growth, to change, and to opportunity. All you have is now, and now marks the rest of your life. So go do it, go live it, and regret nothing.
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