Last week, I attended Caroline’s graduation ceremony—ivy-covered buildings, proud families and students tossing their caps high in the air. As we headed back from the ceremonies and were seated in the car, Caroline looked out the window, watching the scenery blur past.
“It’s weird,” she said, “For so long, I’ve had this path laid out—go to school, get good grades, graduate. Now, I’ve done it. I have a job lined up. What happens next? What if I don’t love it? What if I mess up?”
I smiled, “That’s the big question, isn’t it? ‘What now?’ It’s something a lot of us ask after we tick off the major milestones. Here’s the thing—no one has it all figured out and that’s okay.”
She leaned her head back against the seat, exhaling slowly. “I just thought I’d feel more certain. Instead, it’s like the training wheels are off and I’m supposed to ride the bike like a pro.”
I nodded. “I get it. But think of it this way: now is your time to explore. Try new things. Say yes to opportunities, even if they scare you a little. Especially if they scare you a little.”
Caroline chuckled softly. “So you’re saying life doesn’t come with a syllabus now?”
“Exactly,” I said, glancing over at her. “But that’s the beauty of it. There’s no fixed route. Some people switch careers after five years. Others start businesses. Some travel, volunteer, or go back to school. The only thing you owe yourself is to stay curious and to keep learning.”
She was quiet again, thinking. Then she asked, “Did you ever feel like this? A little lost even when things seemed to be going well?”
“All the time,” I replied. “The truth is that feeling doesn’t go away completely. But what you learn is that uncertainty can be a good thing. It keeps you moving forward. And no one’s journey looks the same. Yours will be uniquely yours.”
By the time we reached her apartment, the sun had dipped lower, casting a warm glow across the dashboard. Caroline turned to me before getting out. “Thanks,” she said. “I needed to hear that. It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one figuring it out as I go.”
I smiled. “You’ve got this. One step at a time.”
As I drove out of the gate, I thought about our conversation. The truth is, you don’t have to have everything figured out right after graduation. You’ll pivot, change, grow—and that’s part of its beauty. Show up. Work hard. Say yes to what excites or even scares you. Keep learning. Keep moving. The rest will come.
