I'm A Senior! What Now?

Lake Monona

I graduate in a month and a half and I can count the things I am sure of on one hand. I know I’m moving; this city will feel stale next year. I know I will have a job, whether it’s McDonald’s, a marketing internship, or as a yoga instructor remains to be seen. I know I have a BA in English, for what that’s worth. I know I’ve got a family that loves me, and enough money to get by for a couple months.

Every time I’m faced with this kind of ambiguity I think it’s the last time it’ll happen. You survived middle school, you’re safe now. Got through high school, you’re safe now etc. But I’m going to keep moving. Might get married. Might have kids. Or I might not, and have to face my mother with the prospect of not giving her grandchildren.

Madison Capitol

So I’ve been taking stock of the things that have helped me when I don’t know what the hell is coming next. You know, life-wise. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

Going for Walks

A least walking is something. It helps me get to know the city I’m in, and that helps me feel more grounded. It’s exercise, so it raises endorphins and hopefully my mood. Also, if I’m lucky, there are pretty things to take pictures of (see all the photos in this article).

Cooking

The goal here is to be kind to myself, so if cooking seems like a good idea, I find a neat new recipe, and reward myself with a great home-cooked meal. If I feel like cooking would result in my whacking my oven to death for never cooking anything right, then I order Topper’s pizza.

Research Research Research

Ginkgo Tree By The Capitol

Don’t know what to do with your life? Research possibilities. Really. Anything goes. I’ve researched what it would be like to live in Canada. How many administrative assistant positions are available in Austen, Texas. What I have to do to teach English in the U. S. without a degree in Education. There are websites completely devoted to guiding me through the most hippie-friendly cities in the U. S. The information is out there; even if I don’t use it, knowing about it eases my mind a little. Sometimes I can even step back, breathe, and just revel in the fact that this is the first time in my life that I have a college degree and nothing to lose.