I am graduating from university in less than 12 hours and I am so conflicted—

It’s hard to accept that this time in my life has come and gone and will be nothing but the memories I can recollect in my future life. I’m anxious about being plunged into the real world with no more real guidance or requirements to follow. It’s all in my hands where I end up and as liberating as that feels, it’s an extremely intimidating feeling.

Major decisions that will determine so many monumental factors of my not-so-distant future are needing to be decided so quickly. I feel rushed and uneasy. There is so much freedom, it is overwhelming. It’s weird because freedom and independence are both things that so many people strive for, things that are coveted, but so many are ill prepared for what freedom and independence really consist of. I am entering into a stage of my life where what seem like small decisions can make a life changing impact and a part of me still feels unqualified to make such monumental decisions. 

But regardless of how unprepared I am for what is to come, what I do know is that life will never stop being a learning process. Whatever mistakes I make, whatever good fortunes, whatever outcomes of my hard work cross my path, I know that I’ll keep going and become a better, stronger, and wiser person through my experiences.

I am happy and excited that I have been able to complete yet another major chapter of my life. I’m proud of myself. When I look back on not only my college experience, but all things leading up to this moment and seeing how they have affected me and influenced the person I have become today, I find that it’s truly astounding how much my life has progressed. I have been truly blessed. I am so grateful to have had such amazing experiences and opportunities, and even more so to have had such great people to share these things with. And even though things didn’t always go as planned, I can say with confidence that I am exactly where I should be and that I can take comfort in knowing that every end is also a beginning. 

At this point, I don’t know exactly where I am headed, let alone where I will end up, but I have faith that I will always be exactly where I need to.

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road

Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go

So make the best of this test and don’t ask why

It’s not a question but a lesson learned in time

It’s something unpredictable but in the end is right

I hope you had the time of your life. 

(via paper-trees)