What I Wish I Had Known Before Graduating College
Since graduating from college, there have been many shifts in my life. My reoccurring nightmare of missed finals and overdue papers stopped happening on a weekly basis and my cooking skills have since expanded beyond tacos and cereal. I don't hate the months of May and December anymore and I no longer have to fake having an answer to the question, "So what are your plans after graduation?" While there are many things I love about being on the other side of college, one thing that is not on my list of favorites is how incredibly difficult it is to meet people and make genuine friendships.
Me and my family at my college grad. Not pictured: The tears of relief and all the ugly crying I did after passing all my finals.
Now before you roll your eyes and think, "Wow, Heather, first-world problems", hear me out! With the increase of anxiety, depression and suicide, something is clearly off about the way we function as a society. Social media was barely even talked about 10 years ago and now it's shocking if you find someone who isn't on at least one platform. Is the reason because people are jumping up and down, crazy-out-of-their-minds excited to see a tour of Europe their high school nemesis went on last summer? I'll answer that for you - no. It's because social media plays on our most basic fear - our fear of isolation and loneliness (I don't care who you are, we all need somebody). But being on social media when you're lonely is like eating an entire carton of ice cream when you're starving - it might taste good at the moment but you'll feel sick and unsatisfied afterward.
Now don't worry, I am not going to quit my job and swear off technology in protest of social media. I think technology is a great tool! After all, my entire business model is built around it. The important thing is that boundaries are set in place so we don't rely on it for more than what it was ever meant to be.
This post is intentionally short because I want you to get your eyes off this screen and go talk to someone! With the 4th of July coming up this week, it's a great excuse to go out of your way and genuinely connect with someone. Get outside, soak in the sunshine and eat something delicious off the grill. Maybe you could even go wild and talk to a *gasp* stranger! And I don't mean, "Hey, how are you?" and turn away before they can even respond. I mean, actually talk to them and take the time to hear their response. It's amazing what you can learn about someone when you talk with the intention of listening. Now, go and be free! Enjoy today, talk to somebody new and have fun being alive - it's something we should never take for granted.
With love,
-Heather
Heather Brockell is a Web Designer and Copywriter based out of North Dakota, USA. When she isn’t designing websites or writing, she performs as a professional figure skater and singer in ice shows all around the country.
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