The unknown and unanswerable are the hardest things to grasp. There are usually more questions than there are answers in life, and for most this, it’s frightening, especially when it comes to our trying to figure out our futures. The future is not a place you can travel to, or a tangible object, however, we work and live every day for it. Sometimes, the things that scare us the most cause us to want to stay far from it, and personally, the future is one of them.
I find myself spending an ample amount of time stressing about my future; how I am going to provide for myself and family, where am I going to be, when will my future become my reality, etc. I spend so much time thinking about the things that I cannot control, that it creates a fear. I fear the very things that I want the most, so to avoid my future, I fill the present with things to stay busy. Focusing on momentary agendas is a sense of quick gratification that perpetuates the scapegoat of “being too busy” in which only justifies our lack of properly planning ahead.
College has a way of giving you so much to focus on in the now, that it is easy to get bust and buried in the moment in order to receive a degree – I mean that’s what you came here for. However, not allowing yourself the space to think about what’s next, leads to what many call “post-grad depression”. It seems that every year I hear more and more about experiences of post-grad depression, but that’s because that possible future is approaching, and quicker than you think. The stories you hear should serve as a message; start working on you and what will help set you up for later. This doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy the present – just make sure you are being vigilant and thoughtful.
Coming into college, we call it imposter syndrome. You go from being the best of the best in your high school to being “average” in your college of choice. When you graduate from college, it transforms into post-grad depression, and that’s because you may not have a medium to express your talents, skills, desires, etc. That just means it is time to focus on yourself and figure out how you want your future to go. Don’t let the stressors and downers of day-to-day life deter you from doing the things that you not only need to do, but like to do.
Post-grad depression, imposter syndrome, and the fear of the future, are symbolically parallels. They are variables in the equation of life that force you to focus on the longevity. Life is bigger than the internships, classes, or jobs you may have had or taken, and so are you. If you find yourself fearing the future, or experiencing some sort of crisis, don’t be afraid. It means you’re focused on all the right things; you and your well being. Begin focusing on yourself sooner than later, because the real world is going to hit sooner, not later, and it’s your responsibility to be prepared.
