Weekly digs 4: Post-Grad
Identity crisis from the post-grad abyss
When you are post-grad, there are certain things you grow out of.
Black crop tops and tequila pineapples at the bar, eating rice cakes for every meal, a freezer full of 4 of the same Trader Joe’s frozen meals (one for you and one that belongs to each of your roommates).
Transitioning from grad to post-grad happens quickly at first and then slowly as you start to shed the habits you created from your first 4 years living on your own. (I have had a stunted post-grad experience, spending the first two years of it at grad school, aka purgatory for those who aren’t ready to move realms after college)
D- Helping Friends Move
This weekend, I helped my best friend move into her 3rd post-grad apartment in her 3rd post-grad city/ state.
Moving to a new city after college is an example of a fast post-grad transition.
Moving so many times that your parents see you as independent and stop coming to help you with the move is a slow post-grad transition.
The one thing everyone learns at college, no matter what major you were in, is that in life, friends can be like family, and leaning on and supporting them as such is the key to maintaining mental sanity.
I- Finding post grad style
I always felt like I understood my personal style as a college student. The thing about personal style is that it evolves as a person evolves.
Now, 4 years post-grad, I realize that I have evolved out of what I once considered my personal style and I haven’t evolved into a new one yet.
Style came easy to me, which was good because a core tenet of personal style is looking effortless (I learned that rarely do people pull off effortless without some amount of effort).
Now, I am less sure what I like, how I want to dress and express myself, and how style fits into my more mundane life of work, cooking at home, and the occasional dinner and drinks out.
As a child of YouTube, I have been watching Allison Bornstien’s videos, following her methods, editing what I have, and trying to be more intentional with what I am bringing in.
The antithesis of personal style is trendiness (not to say some trends can’t be a part of your style). Following the trends is a sure fire way to end up with a closet full of clothes you hate in a 6 months.
That’s where I found myself recently, which led to this post-grad identity crisis.
G- Inspiration from Pinterest
For the first time in YEARS, I started a Pinterest board for style inspiration.
I have often gone to Pinterest for home inspiration and always thought of it as a really aspirational platform (every one of my boards could be renamed “one day if all goes well” or “I wish”).
Coming back to Pinterest and trying to use it practically to understand what I like and what I want to wear feels very millennial, very post-grad.
S- There is one thing I think you really shouldn’t shed in post-grad
A slow post-grad thing is one day picking up your head and realizing how many of your college friends live with their boyfriends.
Monday Bachelor watch parties, sleepovers (in the same bed), and girls-only pregames become a rarity rather than a weekly occurrence.
It’s important as a post-grad to make the time and effort to keep your friendships alive.
It’s easier in college when everyone lives at your front door, your schedule is so moldable, and you will inevitably lose friends after college when you realize there are people in your life who won’t make the effort once it becomes less easy and convenient to them.
The ones who stick around are worth making the extra effort for.
Tip for getting out of a post-grad identity crisis: spend time with old friends. Nothing makes you feel more like you than surrounding yourself with the people who you feel know you best.