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Graduating college was supposed to be this huge, defining moment—a launchpad into the "real world" with everything magically falling into place. But honestly? Post-grad life has been an unpredictable mix of adventure, stress, and a whole lot of "what am I even doing?"
The First Few Months: Freelancing, Traveling, and Letting Go
Right after graduation, I hopped on a flight to Florida to watch some friends get married. That trip was just the start of a wild few months—I freelanced for various clients, running their social media, traveled to California, and eventually moved back home with my parents. Oh, and I had to say goodbye to my first Volkswagen Jetta because it was basically on its last leg. (RIP to Era, you’ll be missed.)
Job Hunting in a Nightmare Market
Fall 2023 was brutal. I felt like I applied to a million jobs and got ghosted by at least 900,000 of them. The job market was rough, and at times, it felt like I was never going to catch a break. But somehow, I landed a marketing associate role. Now, I work hybrid and still juggle a few side gigs in social media. It’s not the dream advertising agency job I had envisioned, but it’s a step forward, and I’m choosing to be grateful for it.
Living at Home at 26: Grateful or Behind? (Maybe Both?)
Living at home in my mid-20s is… complicated. On one hand, I feel behind—like I should have my own place and a perfectly mapped-out career. But on the other hand, I know I’ll never get this much time with my parents again before life inevitably moves me in a different direction. My sister also moved back home in December, so our house basically feels like a time warp to when we were kids, just with slightly more existential crises.
Faith, Balance, and Trying to Figure It Out
One of the biggest shifts in my life has been my faith. Over the past year and a half, I’ve gotten a lot closer to God, which has been a huge source of peace… when I actually let it be. But I still struggle. Some days, I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be, and other days, I feel like I’m flailing in every direction. It’s a constant battle between burnout and inner peace, and let’s just say, balance is not my strong suit at the moment.
The Reality of Post-Grad Life
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that post-grad life is messy, weird, and full of contradictions. I miss having my own space, but I also love being with my family. I feel like I should be further ahead, but I’m also proud of how far I’ve come. Some days, I feel lost. Other days, I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.
So to anyone else in their 20s who feels like they’re just winging it—you’re not alone.
We’re all figuring it out as we go.
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