Baby Steps

Baby Steps. At this age it seems we take baby steps every day toward becoming who we are and who we want to be. We act responsibly, getting up for work every day, taking care of ourselves, maybe stashing some money away or networking with someone. They seem insignificant but they are small acts that are pulling us away from our former no-cares-college-student that we used to be. Suddenly, we look look back and and then take a look around and we have become a new person- an adult. Or at least the shadow or outline of an adult. Our emotions, maturity, thought process, not to mention our weekend activities...not always so adult. But on the outside we mirror someone new. Dressed in suits, grocery shopping, on the same roads in the same traffic as our parents for our morning commutes. It can be somewhat frightening when you begin to see yourself in such a light.

It can be even more frightening when you see yourself and realize you are living a life you don't want to live. This conflict happens to a lot of people at this age that I know. After a year or two of working in the 'real world' they get bored, get sick of the entry level pay and begin to miss the carelessness and coolness of college. Often a lot of us are working hard but in positions we really don't like or want to be in. As we try to climb the ladder a lot of us get frustrated, bored, or frightened of what we are turning into. Somehow, however, we have to find a place for those emotions and keep on, keepin' on. Or quit everything and decide to backpack through Europe. Either way, the journey to finding ourselves in this new adult world is long and tough and doesn't happen as overnight as we wish, hope, or are told it does by the media and our elders.