A change in pace

So far, 22 feels like the year of change. I recently graduated from James Madison University, a school that became a safe haven to me. I'm moving out of the apartment I've lived in for two years, away from my roommates I love in the town I've called home for the past four years. As of now, I don't know what my next step is. I don't have a job lined up yet, so I don't know what city I'll call home next. I couldn't tell you what exactly I'll be doing three months, six months or one year from now. Believe me, I'm trying to get it all figured out, but hopes and dreams for the future only happen when things fall in place. While I'm a planner by nature, I've actually been able to find a great deal of peace in all the uncertainty. While I love knowing where I'm going and what's on the horizon, it's been incredibly fun knowing that I could really do anything. As I pack my boxes and say goodbyes, I have no idea just how exciting my hellos will be.

With all of the impending changes in my life, I've been able to think critically regarding what parts of my current life I want to take with me. I believe that we are a sum of all our parts — the people we've met, places we've been, experiences we've had and so on. When facing change, we have the opportunity to reflect on how our recent experiences have changed us. If we like the way we've grown, we can aim to continue that as we move on. If we have traits we wish to leave behind, we have a great excuse to do so.

I've gained so much during my time in college. I've become more service-minded and empathetic, I've embraced more of a personal style instead of imitating others, I've learned to live and love unapologetically, I've thrown myself into all I do. I truly hope I keep these traits wherever I end up next. However, I liked how I was before college. I had no idea what was coming my way in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I had no idea who I would become. But looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. I can only hope that the next chapter of my life will be the same way — unexpected, exciting and full of growth.

It's taken me a good bit of time to be comfortable with the idea of uncertainty. I'm organized to a fault, often separating my life into to-do lists and calendars. I've learned, though, that you don't have to give up the comfort of planning in order to thrive in change. Make plans, but don't get so set in them that one curve could destroy you. In middle school (forever ago) someone told me, "Hope for the best but expect the worst." That single sentence stuck with me more than most of what I learned in middle school. You can still have dreams and make long-term plans to achieve them while being able to embrace periods of uncertainty. Make space for change in your life and good things will follow. Be open to opportunities you didn't see coming and see where you end up — that's my plan.

I'm thankful for the unexpected changes in my life. I can't wait to see what comes next.