For nearly my entire life, I, like many, have lived with a start and end date. You start school in August, you end in May. It’s the same schedule year after year. The “new year” begins in August, rather than January, and ends in May. You get your three month break and then it’s a fresh start. That’s what I’ve grown accustomed to. There’s always been a known end and a new beginning to look forward to.
For me, the last several years of life went something like this: Graduate high school, go to college for four years, enjoy senior year of college and the end of a chapter and a new start, take a year off after graduation to live life, during that year look forward to starting grad school and moving across the country to start a new chapter, spend two years in grad school and know it will all end May 2014, and come June 2014, move again to start yet another chapter.
And here we are. That next chapter, except this time there’s no set end date and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I like having a time frame to look forward to, like knowing I only have one year of school left and then I get to move, or something along those lines to change things up before getting sucked into the same routine day after day. But the thing is, it doesn’t really work that way once the whole school thing is all said and done. The next step is to finally start your career you’ve been building and working so hard towards. Now that the time has come, I can’t help but ask myself “now what?”
And that right there is what gives me all the mixed feelings in the world. It’s obvious that I don’t fear change, in fact, I crave it. Maybe that’s why I’ve lived in 4 different states and have signed six different leases in my lifetime. But in the “real world”, that lifestyle isn’t considered the norm. You don’t just get bored with a city and pick up and leave to go to the next, and then the next, and then another. Same goes for jobs. Sure, no one is stopping you from doing this, but it surely isn’t recommended.
So my question is, how do you keep things interesting when you find yourself already falling into routine with no more start and end dates? It’s challenging when the vision of the future just seems like a flat body of water rather than a choppy ocean.
Mississippi Mrs. says
Wow, this is a great post. I have never thought about it from that point of view before. I am in the "no end date" stage of life and it's not been bad at all. You have to find new ways to "challenge yourself". Like I know there are things I want to get done by 35, etc.
Kate at Green Fashionista says
I felt the same way when I was done with school and entering the workforce where there really is no end in site (other than retirement and let's not rush that!). I've found that planning trips gives me something big to look forward to and to work hard for. Knowing I have an exciting trip and counting down to it is always fun. We try to take one big trip out of the country every year and one smaller long weekend trip somewhere domestically. We just got back from a 3 night trip to Chicago and I can't rave enough about how fun that city was 🙂
Blake's Everyday Adventures says
I remember feeling this exact way when I graduated college. There wasn't a summer to look forward to. There was no longer a month off for Christmas break or a week for Thanksgiving.. or even a spring break. My life suddenly became: working 40+ hours a week… for life? But there are PLENTY of things to look forward to in the real world. Like days off, paychecks, vacations, exploring your city that you're in, reaching that raise or promotion, finishing a challenging project at work.
ursulamyria says
I try to start something new. A new goal, a new challenge and side project, anything to keep things interesting and to avoid that routine. It's funny because for 20 + years we have a really clear start/end schedule but without school, it seems like time starts to blend a bit more and I have trouble distinguishing what happened when. Like, did I do that last winter or the winter before? I can't remember because I have no frame of reference!
Chastity Beene says
Yes I felt the same way after I finished school. But then you find new end/start dates – holidays, vacations, goals – personal, family, work, etc. I think as long as I have goals that I'm striving for, then I have a purpose rather than just floating through life for nothing.
Robin says
I realized this feeling a couple of years ago, realizing that there is no more "after college graduation, I'll…" (I am in a job that isn't my first choice, but in a small town near a small city, you have to be realistic about your lower chances of getting a dream job). I like to research my town and areas around, and find new things to try. We actually lived here for 2 years before I knew that a decent amount of nature parks and interesting restaurants where all within 20 miles!
Robin says
*were all
Amber Lynn says
I'm currently in this right now! I am ready for the next step, or the next move; the next big start! I try and just keep myself grounded by making new friends, finding new restaurants I love and going to fun places only this city offers… It's slowly working but I still have the bug to pack up and find somewhere new!
Helene in Between says
Love this outlook. but you're right- routine can seem daunting. That's why I like to plan for the coming of anything. it's always good to look forward to soemthing. and try to enjoy what's currently going on.
Bella says
I'm with Kate, you just gotta break up the monotony by planning trips and doing things you didn't get to do while you were in school. Also, I think we have been going to school for most of our lives that not doing it as adults feels strange. I think time will help with getting adjusted to your new life after going to school for so long and you won't even think about it anymore, you will just live your life 🙂
Julia says
I know exactly what you mean! While I am VERY appreciative for a job, I do get kind of bored with the same routine after awhile and need something different to look forward to! Like others have said, I like to plan for things to keep myself excited, whether it be a trip, a party, or even just a new project I'd like to do around the house. I'm constantly making to do lists, even just for the weekends, so I can look forward to all I will get to do on my days off!
The Siberian American says
I totally get this. I have moved 18 times in my life so I am always itching for a new adventure. Funny enough, now that I know that we will likely be moving in June, I want time to slow down so I can enjoy my time here. Before that, I was ready because we had been in the same place for four years because of medical school.
Leslie says
I've only lived in two houses my childhood/adult houses. 3 now that I'm engaged but I find that stability comforting. There are a lot of times I want to go somewhere so I say travel. Even if it's day trips. 🙂
Anna says
this is a very interesting post