School, graduation and anxiety

I logged in today to make a post about how I was feeling. My worries, my fears, my anxiety. It has been pretty bad this week. But, instead of focusing on me this time, I just want to put a post out there to all of the high school and college graduates or soon to be graduates.

If I could give you one message about graduation, I would say this: don’t worry about it. It’s all going to be just fine.

I know it’s scary. When you graduate high school, there is some excitement and fear about what’s next, but mainly we all know we’re either going to start working if we haven’t already, or we are going to college. So basically we’re just doing more school.

It’s an adjustment, for sure. But you still have your family’s support, especially if you’re going to college. You have friends, you will make new friends, and try new things, and meet new people, and learn more about yourself and the things that you like, and want, and don’t like, and don’t want.

It’s a time of discovery for yourself while still having somewhat of a safety net from family and friends.

For those of you that are graduating college, it probably seems extra scary. Because now, what’s next? What are you supposed to do now that you aren’t doing school? Where are you going to live? How are you going to survive?

It’s going to be OK. You don’t have to figure it all out right now. Not at all! Do not feel pressured to have all the answers just because you have a degree. It doesn’t happen all at once. I don’t think I had all the answers until I was well into my 30s. Or at least, I had most of the answers.

Just because you have a degree, doesn’t mean everything magically is perfect and life is great. Life can be great. But, you’re still figuring it out, and that’s OK. And I can’t speak for all parents and all of your situations, but just because you’re done with college, doesn’t mean we still aren’t there for you. We will always be there for you. To answer your questions, to support you, to help you figure out what your path is going to look like going forward. There will always be a warm bed. There will always be a home to come home to when you need it.

Sometimes that Home is a physical place, and sometimes that Home is metaphorical. You aren’t alone. You don’t have to do this on your own. No one does it All on their own. Ever. Even when you think they do.

Celebrate your achievements and know that it’s all going to work out. I believe in you.