Graduated! Now what?

18 years of school and I'm finally done. I'm not really sure what to say about it except that I'm relieved. Although I love school and wish I could be there forever, these last couple quarters have been the most stressful and challenging periods of schooling for me. I guess it's because I've lost my academic stamina or that it began to slow down.

Whatever place I am in in life right now, I didn't get here on my own. I'm so incredibly thankful to my family, especially my mom, and all my friends both from high school and the ones I've made at school, especially my coworkers. Each and every one of them has inspired me in so many aspects of life. I've learned the most from them indirectly, not by them verbally teaching me. I learn by seeing how incredibly positive they are in certain situations and how much strength and confidence they have in how they view and handle challenges in their lives. When I want to better myself, I look to them. No matter how much I feel thankful I don't think I'll ever be able to show them how much they mean to me through words. But they, all of them, are absolutely incredible.

As for me, I've graduated only 5 days ago and have no job. I have not gone without a job for 5 years and this feels weird. I feel like I'm not in control of that aspect of my life. It's the one aspect that has made me feel stable and now it's gone. I know a lot of us are feeling the same way right now and it's tough. It's really really tough. This summer, it's not really about pursuing my dreams. I feel like pursuing my dreams would involve going to grad school. I haven't wrapped my mind around the prospect of that yet. I just need to make money to continue being able to pay for gas, bills, and living expenses. I've been looking for office assistant or administrative assistant jobs but things are looking pretty bleak right now. Unfortunately, I've succumbed to applying for retail and food service jobs, which isn't so bad, but I'd prefer a Monday-Friday 9-5 job. This is where I'm at right now haha. Gotta push through and be positive. Things happen for a reason.