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Crop Top: Nordstrom | High-waisted shorts: Shopbop, Net-A-Porter | Wedges: Nordstrom Rack, Nordstrom, Loeffler Randall
Hello, darling!
A few weeks ago I had the privilege of taking my sisters graduation pictures in College Station, TX. (Whoop) It is so crazy to think that she is graduating, and also that it’s almost been a year since I graduated. Time flies by so fast! I wanted to share with you these gorgeous pictures of her and thought it would be the perfect time to post a few things I wish I would have known before graduating from college. Now, I am most definitely not an expert on these things, but in the past year there have been numerous life lessons I have learned already and I would love to share them with you. So all of you almost college grads listen up 😉 If you’re not graduating or if you have already graduated these are still amazing lessons to learn or be reminded of.
1. It’s OKAY to not know what you’re going to do.
I was not too worried about this part when I first graduated, because my dreamer self was just so excited of the endless possibilities that could happen. A few months later though I realized I had no idea what I was doing, or what I was supposed to do. This caused such anxiety, and stress in my life but I finally realized it’s okay. I’m not supposed to know right now, but the most comforting thing is that God does and clinging to that during this time is KEY!
2. Take time off if you can.
One thing I am so thankful for is my summer off after graduation. I was able to travel, spend time with family, and also create the blog. It was such a refreshing time, and a time I know I will never have again. So if you have the opportunity to take sometime off before starting that big job, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend it!
3. You’re probably not going to achieve your dream job right away and that’s OKAY.
This is something I really struggled with and still do at times. I’ve always known what I wanted to do and in my mind I felt like I would achieve that right away. I never thought about what it might take to get to that job. So if you don’t land your dream job right away, that’s okay! You will get there, and this is all apart of the journey. Jobs are not always meant to last forever, but they most definitely serve as stepping-stones to get you to the place you want to be. Just keep your eyes focused on the goal.
4. Have a plan but allow room for change.
I am SUCH a planner! If you were to look in my planner you would find sticky notes with daily schedules on them, and of course everything is color coordinated ;). Planning is not a bad thing when it comes to what you are going to do after graduation but something I had to learn was that there needs to be room for change within those plans. The next few years is going to be one huge season of change and you have to know that it’s okay. So plan, but give those plans to God allow him to mold those plans into his own. Trust me, His plans are better than our own!
5. You DON’T have to have it all together!
For months I have felt like I was supposed to know how to do everything. How to find a house, how to set up utilities, how to pay taxes, how to budget correctly etc. The thing is, you’re NOT supposed to know all of these things right away. You have to remember to take things a day at a time, ask questions, and know that you’re going to mess up sometimes. It’s all apart of the learning process. Slow and steady wins the race.
6.Don’t be so hard on yourself.
This is something I continue to struggle with. As I said before, we are not supposed to know everything right away. Things are going to be hard, and we will make mistakes but it’s how we handle those failures and mistakes that changes everything. Know that the God of the universe has given you the ultimate grace, and we sometimes need to extend that grace to ourselves.
7. Dream BIG, and go for it!
Most of you know that I am such a dreamer, and a huge advocate for dreaming. This time in your life is so exciting and even though things may seem scary, or uncertain allow yourself room to dream! Go for your passions, and really figure out what you want to do. Life is to short to not live completely and fully! Do things that make you happy, and dream BIG!
My prayer is that you reflect back on the amazing journey you have just finished, and look forward with confidence and joy to the one you are about to begin. The possibilities are endless!
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
You’ve got this and you are so loved!
XOXO,Tay
