Ch. 1 The New Graduate

(so naive you can't believe)


This is a my good friend Kristi, we graduated together and started our first new job together as professionals! What a world-wind that was! I am sure she would agree that the first year of life long lessons and the feeling of overwhelming pressure shaped us into the women we are today. Without that year of trial and error as a real time adult, we wouldn't be as happy as we are today. As she would say, "We Trusted God's plan and couldn't be more happier with the path we are finding ourselves on today."

"As the new graduate embarks on the road to adulthood, she is sure she's going to look great, do her own taxes, figure out what W2 is, and fall in love with the perfect guy." (pg. 3)

As I came ready to go and determined to be as successful as I was in high school and college, I thought with all that good experience and good karma, things would only get better. Well...haha I was wrong. Adulthood came with the responsibility and independence I was ready for but that also brought the harsh reality of the real world. Life without mom taking care of my students loans, dinner, and all the in between and my dad being my protector and car mechanic made things a little hard to balance.

Lesson one (as a new graduate)


I learned to balance my life and realized I could only do a little at a time! Slowing down was key to controlling all the the new responsibilities I had taken on.

With being a new adult in the real world, I was automatically surrounded by adults of all ages. With that came some adults that were a bit of damper on my goals I set for myself as a new professional. The book describes these sort of people with many names, one stuck, "Dream Slayers"

"The dream slayers can stifle your creativity, make you second guess your path in life, and eat at your positive energy like a famished fat man" (pg. 12).

Regardless of what setting I was in, there was always a "dream slayer" lurking. What I have learned to do (because before this, life was always positive and I trusted all were out for the good of man kind) to literally watch my back. I sent out the positive trusting vibe to my other fellow adults, but as I evolved through my "new graduate" phase, I watched with a careful eye of others around me. Adults do not play by all the rules and can be as nasty as they want to be behind closed doors.

Lesson Two:

Adulthood isn't negative, actually I prefer it over college now, but I learned to be smart and take care of myself when needed. Trusting others is important, but hold back and observe people before truly trusting them, because they may not be looking out for your best interest. Sad I know, but true.

Why Real Life Rocks After College:

1. Steady income
2. You can read other books that is not a part of class requirement

3. Beer taste good

4. You have privacy

5. Routine (which I LOVE)

( and the list could go on)


Once I got into my groove, I was loving the freedom and independence to do what I thought was necessary for me to do. Living with all girls was fun, but less drama, which I dig, was a nice change, and real new adult furniture was exciting to purchase.

Overall this chapter made me laugh, because it really is so true. As a new graduate there is this overwhelming vibe of a positive glow that you carry on your face. With all that energy you feel like you can take on the world.

Lesson 3

" When faced with the realities of life, it's easy to dismiss your dreams as too daunting to pursue. But the best part of being a New Graduate is your enthusiasm and your energy. These assets will help you overcome any obstacles and keep you reaching for the stars. No matter how many women you are before you are 35, be sure that you keep this part of your New Graduate life with you at all times. Whether you're raising a family or building a handbag empire, keep you spirits high and never stop trying to achieve your goals. Keep connected to the energy and enthusiasm you feel as a girl stepping out into the world for the first time. Allow it to motivate you to live your life with sass at every stage along the way. "

pg. 24

What I am Thankful for:

1. Having the chance to be a new graduate
2. Learning from it
3. The path I am on today

My Evolution

For the past few months I have been reading through this book written by Alison James, "The 10 Women You'll Be Before You're 35" and so far it has been fun to read and relate to. There are parts where I feel she goes to the extreme in describing the sterotype, but then goes back to a good balance of the stage a woman may be in. As I have read through the stages I have learned how I have evolved into the person or shall I say woman I am today.

"Don't laugh at a youth for [her] affections; [s]he is only trying on one face after another to find a face of [her] own."

Logan Pearsall Smith

I have gone through many changes and I am thankful for the lessons I have learned, the people who have turned into life long friends, and relationships that always left me with thicker skin, better perception, and gratefullness that I am still me!

Enjoy these next 10 posts! Each post is a new chapter to reflect on. I would suggest checking out this book for yourself. It has given me balance and time to reflect on the woman I am today and who I want to be in the future.