I would say the most difficult thing after college is transitioning . Some people stay in the area they went to school at but most people, like myself, end up going back home. Home for me is San Leandro. I lived in San Leandro (usually referred to as SL) my entire life and I absolutely love it. I knew when I graduated I was going to move right back in with mom and dad. Plus it saves money. Living in expensive San Jose drained so much of my money. I am happy to be back home to home cooked meals, a bigger space and my friends from grade school. I know I will eventually want my own place again, but right now I am content.
Friends: Moving back home included reconnecting with my old friends. I saw my friends here and there throughout college, but of course it wasn’t like old times where everyone would chill after school and not have a care or responsibility in the world. At this point, we are all grown with newly found degrees, cars, jobs and etc. I knew some relationships would be hard to rekindle simply because we have all changed and developed since high school. People’s interests and hobbies are different and the things that connected us in the past may not exist anymore. That was my biggest fear.
Fortunate for me most of my friends are still in my life. No matter how long we go without seeing each other we get together and its like old times. I love that. Growing up I remember trying to text and call my friends all day making sure that I do not lose them. I wanted to be so popular I would do over the top things just to get attention from others. Now I think back and laugh at how social acceptance was such an important factor to me. Now I realize that keeping my “circle small” is the smartest advice.
Living at home: Moving back home after having so much freedom is definitely an adjustment. I have freedom at home, but of course it’s not like the freedom of being miles away from your parents and having your own apartment. I am very close to my family, but I have to get used to the superfluous advice and lectures again. I am happy to be closer to my siblings though. I felt like we were drifting apart because of the distance so that is a plus about being back.
Life in General I was so used to being busy 24/7 that I am not used to having so much free times. Nights and weekends were grind time so having a free schedule most of the time is golden. There are so many options. I can go to the gym, I can cook, I can watch television or I can simply… do… nothing. Yea that sounds like a good option lol. But with my personality I still find myself sleep deprived and exhausted. The way my personality is set up there’s no way I can just be an unproductive couch potato. I am always moving. As part of my transition, I want to learn to value my free time more and get the rest I was deprived of throughout my college years. But then again, I can sleep when I die, as my god father reminds me;).
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