I really need to be more consistent with these blog posts.
But really, it’s not like anyone really reads them anyway, I’m sure. Sometimes I write these blogs and I’m like, who really is going to care about the “10 things I miss about UWSP”?
Honestly? I write these blogs because I have nothing better to do. Since graduating, I have way too much free time on my days off.
I’m going to be honest, adult life sucks and it has not been an easy transition moving to Tennessee. Since I’m no longer a student, no longer consumed by schoolwork and such, no longer have my community of friends at hand for whenever I need the support, or my family at that matter, I’ve lost myself in this big messy pile of life. I don’t know if others can relate but I’m struggling to find my purpose here. My whole life so far, I’ve been working towards something. Working to achieve that diploma, that internship, that degree, that job…Now that I’ve done those things, I’m having a hard time figuring what that next step is and I feel like an extremely lost 22 year old.
So as a way to move forward I’m going to attempt something different..
I’m a checklist person. I work to achieve things just so I can have the satisfaction of crossing it off my list. Nothing brings me more joy than completing a to-do list. So as a way to help me “find myself” in a sense (as cheesy as that sounds) I decided to make a 30 before 30 checklist as a way to try new things, discover new skills, meet new people, and give me something to do on the weekends.
So, here’s my list…
- Learn how to play guitar
- Travel out of the country
- Volunteer/become involved in the community
Take a class for funAdopt a dog and train it myself- Learn a new craft
- Read every book in the bible
- Submit something for publication
- Sell a something that I’ve created
- Take a spontaneous road trip
- Hike all of the trails in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park
- Learn how to cook
- Run a half marathon
Live in a new state for a yearGo to a Packer Game- Join a club/organization
- Become a mentor/coach
- Go to a headliner concert
- Go on another mission trip
- Get baptized
- Face my biggest fear (figure out what that is first)
- Buy a house
Learn how to work a camera and take a good picture- Become certified in something
- Build something from scratch
- Dye my hair/get another tattoo
- Go backpacking
Read all of the Harry Potter books- Pay off student loans
- Figure out the one thing that I’m passionate about and pursue that
Some are easier than others but I think it’s a good start. Stay tuned, because I’m going to post about them as I cross these off of my list.
Hopefully this will help guide me in some type of direction rather than this standstill that I’m at right now…
Wish me luck and if anyone else has any suggestions or experiences they’ve had that I should try, let me know! Open to any ideas and willing to challenge myself. I don’t know, maybe this list is stupid but you have to start somewhere, right? So I’m going to start with this list.
Gradventure 
Aly,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, for I have felt the same. exact. Way. I had an incredible busy summer with my internship and now I’m in this beautiful mountain country and I felt as lost as I’ve ever been. Stuck at a standstill without a purpose to my life. I even found myself becoming lazy without a structured schedule and it was bringing me down so low. It sucks to start over… Making new friends in a brand new place and trying to figure out how you fit into your new community. I made a similar list but with a slightly different focus and found that it helped me quite a lot. “What makes me the happiest right now at this point in my life” I scribbled out words, left them for a few days and then returned to them later. I then knew what I had to do. I had to ignite the fire within myself to do Exactly those things that make me happy. No matter how scary or challenging they might be. 22 yr old post college life IS TOUGH. But we each have a divine purpose in this world and we can make a difference by following the things we are passionate about. I’m right here with you girl and encourage you to do what makes you happy everyday. Think positive thoughts!! Xo
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Aly! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has been feeling like this. I totally agree with you that we need to ignite that fire within ourselves to find and do things that makes us happy and thats exactly what I hope to do because I’m so sick of doing nothing! I like your idea about keeping a list of what makes you happy and focusing on thise. Someone else also suggested keeping a gratitude journal so i’ll have to give that a try! Thank you for your encouragement, Aly 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing. I see you are struggling and it is huge transition you have made. The euphoria of a new move and job had faded and life has intruded.
I think you need to break out of your natural tendency to keep to yourself. Your new job will require you to be social and that means interACTION with people. Become engaged with your coworkers and our guests… It will fill a lot of lonely hours. Let us in, we are a family and want you as a part of it. Let us know who Aly is so that we can support you.
Life is tough and adulthood has many moments that are not all fun, but you’ve planned, dreamed, studied for and I’m sure prayed about this life. Embrace it.
God has plans for each of us and I know you will find your niche. Praying for you and remember I am always available to listen… If you will just open up.
LikeLike
Thank you, Cheryl. I know I need to open up more, I’m a pretty guarded person. It’s definitely something I’m trying to work on! Takes a little bit for me to warm up, but I’m trying.
LikeLike
You will when you feel comfortable. You are in a very alien culture, with no one your own age and that makes it even more difficult. I have complete faith in your abilities and can’t wait to see you shine.
Love ya
LikeLike
Thanks for being honest with us, Aly. I really appreciate your posts and I love hearing how you are doing in TN. You’re right that without a purpose it’s hard to find a point to life. School had to be your purpose back when you were in Point, but now you have the opportunity to get to find your true purpose. It’s cool that you are actively seeking that out. I can’t wait to see where God continues to lead you!
LikeLike
ok… here is goes…
2.) Travel out of the country- Let’s go to the Bahamas
3.) Volunteer/become involved in the community- I will do this with you. I have a lot of great contacts for places in Knoxville that are always needing help.
4.) Take a class for fun- Didn’t you do the photography class?? And if you aren’t counting that, then go do zumba.
6.) Learn a new craft- Let’s hit up hobby lobby
10.) Take a spontaneous road trip- Let’s go to Nashville!
13.) Run a half marathon- I will train with you
26.) Dye my hair/get another tattoo- Working on it 🙂
LikeLike
YES TO ALL THESE IDEAS! Thank you for reminding me about my photography class! How did i miss that one? But so much yesssss to all of it.
LikeLike
Pingback: I was forced to make a Bucket List | Gradventure·