A Retrospective: 10 Reflections, 12 Months Later

Here is the ONLY thing I was thinking the Monday morning after I graduated as my parents dragged me (crying my eyes out, wearing my gross clothes from the night before) into our Suburban:

MY LIFE IS OVER.

It's been one year and though it's been no cake walk, life ain't over. Here are some of the things I've learned in the past 12 months:

1. The day will come when you CANNOT and SHOULD NOT drink like you did in college.

But you will. And you will pay for it. You'll say that oft repeated phrase from undergrad "I am NEVER drinking again" and this time you'll really mean it. Like REALLY really. It will most likely happen because you are reunited with your friends from the glory days so even though you might be puking your face off the next morning...it will be totally worth it. And because it was worth it...you will do it again.

2. You're going to have to make an effort to get fresh air.

In college you took for granted how important fresh air was and how easy it was to get it. You don't get those beautiful "Camp Notre Dame" days off anymore. You have to sit in your office and look out the window (if you have one) with the knowledge that this is the perfect weather to fly a kite. You might even forget how much you enjoy being outside, you'll come home from work exhausted and just flop down in front of the TV. But one day you're favorite song will come on, you'll roll down the windows and you'll remember what a hero that fresh air is. And you'll find ways to get back outside. 

3. There are good times and dumb times to go through Facebook albums.

As mentioned in previous posts, Facebook is a $16 billion sucker of time. And once you have graduated it can do some real damage to your psyche. You'll find yourself nostalgic for that party you and your roommates had junior year and the next thing you know you're crying and looking at pictures from Domerfest (oh yeah those pictures exist). Here are dumb times to look at old pictures on Facebook: on the anniversary of anything significant or when you hear your neighbors having a party you weren't invited to. Here are good times: when looking for an embarrassing picture of your friend to make your profile picture on their birthday or when you have a bad day at work and need to remind yourself that there's more to life than Excel. 

4. Set goalz for the future.

Serious goals and fun goals. Think about where you want to be and how you want to get there. Whether it be in your career or your next reunion with friends. Give yourself something to work for.

5. Thunderstorms are scarier.

I can't explain it. But its true.

6. Text/Write/Call your friends. Maybe?

I don't want to fall into the category that those boring analyst types keep threatening to put me in. That despite all the communication technology surrounding us (the youths) we are becoming more desocialized. Don't wait to learn about your friends lives from Facebook. If you do learn something exciting from the ol' Book don't just "like" it, communicate about it.

7. Get a Credit Card...but BEWARE.

Credit cards are awesome...until you get the bill. You might even tell yourself that you're just going to use it for gas and "emergencies." Pretty soon "emergencies" will become defined as "its Fall, I need boots" or "I can get the entire Star Wars series as a box set, how convenient!" And then next thing you know you're hiding your credit card from yourself when you're drunk and forgetting where it is when you need to get gas. So then you apply for another one.

8. Don't buy the first couch you see.

Take the time to truly evaluate your options when buying your first couch. Don't be lazy like I wanted to be. If I'd done that I'd still be in the hole for a $2,500 khaki couch from Pottery Barn. Instead, I got a bitchin' red one from the Furniture King...accented with zebra pillows from Amazon. This is a metaphor

9. Ask for Help.

At work, if you're confused about something, ask for help. No one will think your stupid. If you're trying to meet new people in a new city, ask for help. No one will think you're creepy. Investing in a new TV from Best Buy and want a discount, ask for help. No one will think you're cheap. If you're having a hard go of it, ask for help. No one will think you're weak.

10. What to do on your dumpiest, pitty-est, shitty-est of days.

Remember what JRR Tolkien said "Not all those who wander are lost." And then...do the Macarena.