Welcome to Adulthood... It's Been Waiting for You
Stephanelle Diab
7/19/2023 7:24:00 PM
Stephanelle Diab wrote this article in MTV website:
Pre-school, kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, graduation, university, and graduation again... then what? All these important life milestones done with. What's next? A fresh new job maybe, a gap year to breath in fresh stress-free air, or perhaps staying at home to relax for a little while and take some time off.
It's graduation season, whether it be from high school or university. It's that time of the year where many graduates take arguably one of the most critical decisions of their lives and dive into the wide unknown world of a new major or a new job. A world full of possibilities and new identities, of independence and change... but change can also be scary. It means to let go of many things, to start having more responsibilities, to leave that one safe and comfortable nest built around you by your surroundings.
No matter what you choose to do, you will eventually have to face one very crucial milestone, known as adulthood. The word "adulting" is being used lately for any responsible thing people do, like cook dinner, or booking their doctor's appointment on their own... But adulting in fact is much greater than that. It means to work hard on yourself, to achieve new things, to suddenly be stripped of your childhood comforts. But it also means to try out anything you're interested in, to explore life, to make new relationships and connections.
As a young adult myself who's still figuring out her life, I have heard so many scary things about adulthood, how it can be so hard to adjust to this new chaotic life and the pressure of HAVING to choose a major, HAVING to find a passion or job for the "rest of your life", HAVING to be in control of everything, yet not too in control to the point of being a "control freak", of HAVING to balance a social, academic, and professional life. Thinking about all this alone is tiring, let alone accomplishing it.
That's why, my advice to you is to just take a deep breath and focus on yourself. Adult life is different to each person, everyone progresses through it at their own pace. There is no need to rush anyone into a new job as soon as they graduate, or reprimand them for not choosing a major or university yet. Everything finds its way eventually. Do not let society, or anyone pressure you into following a path YOU are not sure of, because, even though you're still young and can always change your mind, this decision will have a big impact on an important chunk of your life. Don't let life pass you by, experience new things, go on that trip you've always wanted to go on, visit that place you've always dreamt of going to, but be responsible. Responsibility is very important, it does not mean to lock yourself up all day and work on everything you want to accomplish, it just means to keep your goals in mind while enjoying life.
The feeling of growing up can be scary, and that's normal. All you have to do is think that if everyone is somehow making it then so can you. Besides, life is full of surprises and is keeping so many great things for each one of you. You just have to stay mindful to any new possibility it might throw your way while still appreciating what's right in front of you.
Pre-school, kindergarten, primary school, middle school, high school, graduation, university, and graduation again... then what? All these important life milestones done with. What's next? A fresh new job maybe, a gap year to breath in fresh stress-free air, or perhaps staying at home to relax for a little while and take some time off.
It's graduation season, whether it be from high school or university. It's that time of the year where many graduates take arguably one of the most critical decisions of their lives and dive into the wide unknown world of a new major or a new job. A world full of possibilities and new identities, of independence and change... but change can also be scary. It means to let go of many things, to start having more responsibilities, to leave that one safe and comfortable nest built around you by your surroundings.
No matter what you choose to do, you will eventually have to face one very crucial milestone, known as adulthood. The word "adulting" is being used lately for any responsible thing people do, like cook dinner, or booking their doctor's appointment on their own... But adulting in fact is much greater than that. It means to work hard on yourself, to achieve new things, to suddenly be stripped of your childhood comforts. But it also means to try out anything you're interested in, to explore life, to make new relationships and connections.
As a young adult myself who's still figuring out her life, I have heard so many scary things about adulthood, how it can be so hard to adjust to this new chaotic life and the pressure of HAVING to choose a major, HAVING to find a passion or job for the "rest of your life", HAVING to be in control of everything, yet not too in control to the point of being a "control freak", of HAVING to balance a social, academic, and professional life. Thinking about all this alone is tiring, let alone accomplishing it.
That's why, my advice to you is to just take a deep breath and focus on yourself. Adult life is different to each person, everyone progresses through it at their own pace. There is no need to rush anyone into a new job as soon as they graduate, or reprimand them for not choosing a major or university yet. Everything finds its way eventually. Do not let society, or anyone pressure you into following a path YOU are not sure of, because, even though you're still young and can always change your mind, this decision will have a big impact on an important chunk of your life. Don't let life pass you by, experience new things, go on that trip you've always wanted to go on, visit that place you've always dreamt of going to, but be responsible. Responsibility is very important, it does not mean to lock yourself up all day and work on everything you want to accomplish, it just means to keep your goals in mind while enjoying life.
The feeling of growing up can be scary, and that's normal. All you have to do is think that if everyone is somehow making it then so can you. Besides, life is full of surprises and is keeping so many great things for each one of you. You just have to stay mindful to any new possibility it might throw your way while still appreciating what's right in front of you.