Around this time last year, I was just finishing up my final semester of college before graduating. I was working full-time, finishing my practicum courses, and was fully entrenched in my websites and blogs. I was busy. I very much looked forward to graduating, so that I could pick up more hobbies, do more “fun” stuff, and have a little time for myself.
I convocated in October after starting a different job with the same company I was working for pre-graduation. I had a month between the end of my final semester and my convocation, but it was extremely busy between going to New York City, being a bridesmaid in one of my good friend’s weddings, and starting a new job.
After convocation, I threw myself into work and house hunting. No rest for the wicked, they say. House hunting is a surprisingly time consuming endeavour, which brought me straight through to winter with nary a thought of “what next” on my mind.
We took possession of our new house in late December, creating an onslaught of work as we prepared the basement.
February 1 rolled around and we were getting into the groove of changing what we wanted in the house, saving money, and working hard. I found myself aching for a project; something to keep me busy and engaged and motivated, like school always did. My mental health began to suffer as the winter blues set in, and I began feeling like I wasn’t doing very well in my job (not true) or in my personal life.
I grasped for a project, anything to keep my mind off of this nagging feeling that my post-graduation time was not going as I’d planned. Suburban Finance was born from this rut.
Spring came and like it usually does, my depression passed. I found myself enthusiastically doing the things that I was so sure that I wanted to do when I graduated. I found myself living my post-graduation life how I pictured it.
I began to start to make an effort to see family and friends more often. I threw myself into a workout routine. I vamped up my new website (while neglecting this one, I’ll admit), made plans for the summer, made connections and worked hard.
I went to Winnipeg, Toronto, Chicago, Niagara, and Nelson, BC. I made my loved ones a priority by saying “yes” to every opportunity to see them that was granted to me. I’m making more than enough money, so I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or whether or not I’ll be able to meet a goal. I’ve been reading, travelling, bike riding, and blogging my summer away happily.
Do I have to work hard for what I have? Absolutely. Every single day. I wake up at 5:00 AM when I don’t have to be at work until 8:30 AM so I can get some work done. I do this on my vacations, I do this on my weekends. I make some time for work in the morning and when the day is winding down, also in the evening, my muscles aching from a bike ride or from crouching in the garden, a nice, cool breeze finally coming in from the window, the sound of J and my brother playing basketball in the court that we made for them, I work.
I work so that my life can be how I pictured it. And sweetly, it is.
Are you living life how you pictured it?
Oh no! My life is definitely not as I pictured it. I grew up in Alaska, dreamt of becoming a CFO and never wanted children. Now I live at the beach, I’m in the middle of a year long break from my career to spend time with my two kids. Yeah -just a wee but different.
Wow, that’s totally different – but it sounds like it’s good different.
We wake up around the same time, but it’s only because I start work at 6:30 am! Daisy, you are a machine! 🙂 It’s so amazing how much you’ve accomplished at your age.
I’m not even sure how I pictured my life to be. I’d say in some aspects I’m where I want to be, but with others, they’re still in progress.
I’m the same way, in terms of looking for what to tackle next. 🙂
Haha, a machine I am 🙂 That would be my wrestling name ..
My life isn’t how I pictured it quite yet, but I’m sure I’ll have something different to say in hopefully a few months or a year. It’s always exciting though to think your life is going to look like one thing then years later realize it’s different but still really good.
It doesn’t have to be how you pictured it to be great, anyway!
I’m definitely not living life how I pictured it, but I’m working my way towards having the things that I want!
What is that quote.. something about life not being about the destination it’s about the journey? Cheesy, but it’s true 🙂
Makinthebacon comment seconded…you are a machine 🙂 And in good measure, its no surprise that your life is how you pictured it…there is no way around hardwork!
Mine well, around 70% how I pictured it. Am panel-beating the remaining 30% worth of kinks into straight lines or lets just say pixels for my picture perfect life.
And I can definitely borrow a lesson or two from your experience.
Hahaha I think that’s a compliment.. right?! Yes, hard work is so important.
Yes, pretty much! I am, just like you, working 4 different jobs/gigs at the same time, but it’s financially rewarding and I love what I am doing, so it’s always fun and never a dull moment in my life.
I am with you, Elena and Daisy. It’s exhausting but at the same time rewarding so I have no problem with it.
Congrats Elena. That’s a big deal, and it doesn’t hurt to enjoy what you’re doing 🙂
No, not living like how I pictured it. It’s actually the biggest problem we’re having right now. My husband is in a position that he had 13 years ago, as he works toward his dream goal. I’m stuck in a stalemate because I can’t get my MBA or try for it until he’s done with his goals (two at the same time is just a lot of strain on the family). One of our kids may potentially have a developmental disorder that will take a lot of money and time and effort to help him through. And we don’t have enough money for it all. It’s definitely not where we thought we’d be.
I’m sorry to hear this Kris. This too shall pass. Things can get rocky sometimes.
You remind me of myself, I like to keep myself busy! I go to work 9-6, and come home to spend another 2 hours to feed, clean (and play!) with my 10+ rescue cats, and then make dinner and read books until I go to sleep. Some people say it’s crazy I wanted to work that much, but it’s for something I love!
Interestingly enough, I wasn’t quite sure what I pictured my life would be post-graduation, but life continues to amaze me and somehow I feel like I end up at the right place, right now.
Kudos on living the life you always dream of!
Wow, you have a lot of rescue cats! Hey, even if it’s not how you pictured it, you’re in the right place and that’s important.
You’ve obviously achieved so many things at a very young age. That’s amazing!
I would say somewhat. I really wanted to be in a relationship/married by now. As far as everything else, I’m old enough to know that life rarely every turns out exactly as you pictured it, but that’s not to say that it didn’t turn out better in some regards. For instance I live in a small, nothing special apartment that costs too much in LA, but I also get to go to the beach every day and have amazing friends I can count on. Things just kind of morphed into this for one reason or another. I think that’s why it’s so important to be present and practice gratitude. There is always something to be grateful for whatever your situation currently is, and you are exactly where you should be in life. It’s all very metaphysical. lol!
I so agree, girl! There’s always, always something to be grateful for.
My life definitely didn’t look like what I thought it was going to look like after I graduated. I was originally going to head out to Japan to teach English and then from there, parts unknown. I wanted to immerse and experience myself in new and different opportunities and travel, travel, travel.
Things happened and I ended up choosing different things for different reasons. And while things are different from what I saw, they are better. I have forged a nice life with great potential once our debt is paid off. I have a life partner I love and can count on and a mostly well-behaved child. I can’t complain at all.
Sounds blissful. Even though you didn’t go down the exact path you were expecting, it still worked out beautifully 🙂
Awesome post! I’m starting to live my life the way I pictured it. I have an awesome husband, a cool house and great relationships with family and friends. I’m starting to travel more for my job, a goal I never thought would happen. And I’m financially secure. Life is grand, isn’t it? Kudos!
This is beautiful, Daisy!!! I am so happy for you!
I am not living life as I pictured it at all. When I left college, I had the typical “what is expected of me” view of life – house, marriage, cars, full-time job. Now we’re working part-time and enjoying life more than ever. We really didn’t have much time to review what we wanted because we were too busy buying a house, things to fill it with, and having new cars. Now that we’ve prioritized and really simplified, we are happily planning and living a newer and improved version of a life we love.
Your current life sounds so much better than your post-college life that you pictured, Tammy! I’m happy for you also.
PS – If your brother ever moves out, let us know. That kitchen is really nice!!
HAHA!
I. Love.This.Post. Basically, you prove the point that you have to work for what you want and a really clear vision of your best reality. I have also begun waking up early so that I can get things done. I’m trying to lose weight, lose debt, find love, run a blog-you get the picture. I refuse to settle for mediocrity. SO…I have to work! Keep up the good work. You’re a Rock Star.
I’m a work horse, so it may not be for everyone. I think we’d get along great if we met in real life Michelle – I love your attitude 🙂 Don’t settle – never settle! If it’s in your power to make it amazing, do!
My life did not turn out at all as I had expected it to be. It ended up being better than I could have imagined.
Better is greater than just how you pictured it 🙂
My life is way better now in my 30s than I ever thought they would be. I used to have this idea that my 20s were as good as it was gonna get. Thank goodness that didn’t turn out to be true. I’m still working hard, probably harder in a lot of ways, but I’m also living a lot more. I’m way more adventurous now than I was when I was younger, ex. I never thought I’d become a scuba diver but I did it this year!
I recently read a book that pretty much debunked that “20s is the best it’s going to get” myth that so many people cling to. I’ve never believed that!