Hey guys! Penny here. Today’s topic is something that is very dear to my heart. It’s something I struggled with when I finished my masters, and I had to navigate my way through it. I didn’t have a guide. So, while I was going through this journey of ‘life after masters’ I decided that something was lacking in general.
A guide on how someone should navigate their 20s.
Do we actually realize that our 20s are the most important years of our lives?
Major turn points?
Such as… You graduated from a top university with honors. Or maybe your GPA was not something you were expecting it to be.
You were abroad for 3 years, or maybe for a year. Now you’re back in your hometown and your country, and you are missing university life. You are having a hard time getting used to your own culture now because you felt very welcome in a culture that was different from yours.
Or maybe it was the opposite.
For me, 25 was a very important year. No wonder they call it a quarter-life crisis. It was an age where I had to question every aspect of my life. Rose-colored glasses were distorted, for real.
Pinterest had many bite-sized ideas, but it was something I was not interested in. I wanted to include real-life stories and advice from real people. People who went through this and found their way
I wanted this post to be a collaborative one, so I’m grateful for all the comments and feedback I received from other bloggers and friends!
So, let’s get started.
1) Do a 5-year plan.
It sounds scary, I know. However, it will change your mindset. Don’t believe me? Try and see for yourself!
This idea came to me as a revelation one day. I started to think that the main reason I was lacking motivation was because I had no clue what I was going to do next. So, I got my colorful pens and a huge piece of cardboard. I divided the plan into a few categories, from work to relationships. I drew timelines. I also found pictures for the goals I wanted to achieve. This has the same vibe as ‘the'manifestation board’ technique; however, this is something more concrete and will definitely keep you motivated in the long run.
2) Talk to people.
It doesn't matter if it’s a counselor, a friend, or maybe a neighbor. Talk to people about how they navigated their lives after graduation or any other significant life events. Maybe your childhood friend started her own business, but she also lacked confidence and motivation. When you connect with others, you will soon realize that everyone is on the same boat, regardless of the differences in their own life journeys.
3) Connect with your inner voice.
I’m a spiritual person. I believe that whenever we lose our special connection with our higher selves, we tend to get depressed. I started to meditate more and spent more time with myself. I realized that I was lacking self-compassion while going through this phase of my life. What would you say to a friend who is going through the same stuff? Ask yourself this, and act according to it.
Without self-compassion and self-respect, don’t expect anyone to show compassion or respect for you. We must first show kindness to ourselves.
4) Write down your feelings.
I remember feeling very alone and isolated after I came home from abroad. My friends were busy, and I lost my motivation to do things that used to bring me joy. So, I decided to journal my feelings and my thoughts. It was like talking to a friend, but with myself. That was the moment I realized how much I was not being there for myself.
5) Go for a run. Or a walk. Just go out.
Push yourself to go out and take that fresh air into your lungs, even though you don’t want to. Moving your body is one of the best ways to combat stress and low mood. Recently, I've been aiming to become more active and trying to go on daily walks. I even started to do some yoga poses!
6) Remember that you are not alone. This made me feel better during my journey while I was coping with post-college blues. I found out that many of my classmates were also going through the same thing; however, from afar, everyone looked happy, and I soon realized that that was not true and that not everything is as it seems. Connect with others who are also going through the same hardships as you. You can try online forums, or you can even try social media. You will never know the amount of support you can find once you reach out!
If you have any other tips, comment down below, and let’s have a little support group!
Until the next post,
Penny x
Strongly agree with creating a five year plan and knowing what your goals are. It helps to provide a sense of purpose as life after graduation can be intimidating.
Great post, Penny! I like how this post is applicable to wherever you are in life.