My senior year has finally started, so naturally, my weekly mental breakdowns have begun as well. This time around, however, they are much more extreme. Instead of just having to worry about my two jobs, classes, and writings, I now have the added stress of the real world slowly creeping in on me. I’ve started to have panic attacks about twice a day thinking about how close I am to graduating without having any real idea of what I want to do when I get out. Sure, I have ideas of what I’d like to do, but there’s no guarantee any of them will work out. However, I’ve found that just about eighty percent of the other seniors I’ve talked to about it are in the same boat.

There are so many of us panicking about our futures and stressing about the looming threat of the real world. We are losing our minds trying to decide what we’re going to do with the rest of our lives. It’s almost as if we’re going through a 1/4 life crisis. I have been stressing about it nonstop for the last year now. Each passing day brings me closer and closer to graduation day and the start of my future career, so it’s only natural to be stressing out about it more and more. The other day, though, a thought crossed my mind. I realized that this will be my last year in college. I have two semesters left before it’s all over. Soon, I’ll be going to my last basketball game, playing in my last flag football game, and going out with friends who I may never see again.

Naturally, my initial reaction was to stress even more about my college career coming to an end. The more I thought about it, however, the more I realized that I worrying about it is the last thing I need to do. Instead, I figured out what I need to be doing is what I should’ve been doing from the beginning; enjoying the ride. I’ve been focusing far too much on my future and worrying about my how drastically my life is about to change. I haven’t really stopped to enjoy where I’m at in life now.

I’ve been far too busy worrying about the destination while not truly enjoying the journey.

Planning for the future is important and necessary. You need to have goals and a game plan for your future to ensure that you can become successful. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not living in the future, you’re living in the present. Don’t forget to make the most of every day you’re given. Before too long, you’ll be looking back on these days. It’s up to you whether you remember this as the most stressful time of your life or the happiest days you’ve ever had. This goes for any stage of life too. Whether you’re just starting your freshman year of high school or your last child has just graduated from college, enjoying the journey of life is something I feel we all need to do a little more. You can map out your plans for your future, but always be sure to enjoy the now.