Pressure—a really crazy thing. It is a very heavy, invisible, weight, right on your shoulders. You’re 22 years old, and it seems like the world wants you to have every single thing figured out. So you did pretty well in college, and you have a connection that lands you a job. But gosh, better make sure you have that 401K all set up, and your benefits need to be top-notch. Oh, and don’t forget to start investing, and create separate saving accounts to control your spending habits!
Breathe. I know, that just made me anxious too. But the thing is you are only 22 years old and it is going to be OK. Let me tell you why.
1. We Have Time
Although it might seem like time has been flying since you were a little freshman dropped off at your dorm for the first time, I promise you, you have a lot more of it. No one lands the perfect job, with the perfect pay & benefits their first time around. Sit back in your “okay this will do” seat, and do your time in the entry level job you landed.
2. Your Life, Your Choice
When I graduated from college I had to remind myself that I had entered the real world. And that meant that there were no more advisors, no more mentors, and no one setting grade/GPA goals for you to strive ahead. But with this also comes the fact that, now you get to solely decide the next step you take. You get to pick the next move you play. And this is friggin cool. Sure take some good advice from friends and loved ones, but always remember that your happiness, your will to succeed, is all you have now to truly move you forward. And that’s something really powerful to own, so own it.
3. Things Will Fall Right Into Place
*Key note here* With HARD WORK. You may not have your dream job right now, so what? Work hard, make relationships, check job boards every day, take online courses, and take some more. People may deny you now in your entry level seat but they have no control over your growth as a person, and your growth in your field. Just because you aren’t learning that much in your current job doesn’t mean you don’t have to learn at all.
So you’re 22 and things seem over whelming. That’s OK. Take a step back; there is no rush to where you want to go. It seems like our generation is just always running. Running to the next holiday, next weekend, next year... we don't have too. Look around you, and take it all in. We have a long way to go. Why not try loving the moment we are in, before stressing about the next.
