Surprise! After four years of staying up countless hours to study for exams, writing (what seemed like) never-ending research papers, and stress eating my weight in Halo Top every night just to wake up to 3+ mountain zits in the morning-- I FINALLY obtained possession of that highly regarded “magical” piece of paper-- formally known as a degree that allows me to take on the world!
Let’s travel back in time a little to your 17-or 18- year old perspective when college graduation seemed like a distant dream that we knew we would one day conquer but ultimately had all the time in the world.
Think about how you saw the seniors during your freshman year. Weren’t they all so mature and intimidating? They had beards, they could legally buy alcohol, they knew how to navigate campus without the MyState App, they rode CyRide like it was just another walk in the park, and they could talk with such wisdom about the subjects you were just starting to study. They were already basically real adults who had their lives together.
Then something happened. Before you knew it, you were the senior. The freshman were gazing at YOU with looks of fear and adoration, and even though you knew you were the most socially awkward human alive, these freshman thought you could run the school.
I would be completely lying if I told you I didn’t peak in college. Although, I had my fair share of drama, heart breaks, and too many embarrassing moments to count. I was a part of the Iowa State Dance Team with 30+ of my best friends, where I became a role model for many future cyclones, and got to cheer on my favorite team from the best seats in the house. I joined the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma, which surrounded me with inspiring women who helped strengthen my leadership, academics, and community involvement. I attended a church ministry with a God loving connection group that brought out the best in me. I danced 15 hours straight #FTK "For The Kids" in Dance Marathon. Not to mention I studied abroad in Italy, and skipped a whole semester of school to intern at the happiest place on earth: Disney World. I traveled all over the world, rollerbladed through every street of Ames, found (and pet) every dog on campus, watched the Harry Potter series too many times to count, shimmied my way through every square inch of Paddy's, and made one too many late night ice cream trips.
College life was pretty dang great.
Now, a week after graduation, the “Congratulations... you made it” cards and phone calls have subsided. I have moved back to Arizona, and just like freshman year, everything I was ever positively sure of is now a little fuzzy, and once again I feel like I am a small fish in a BIG pond. I have had my doubts. Many times throughout the day I feel lonely, and I ask myself if moving here was the right decision. No one knows me here. I miss my friends and family back in Iowa. The uncertainty and starting completely over scares me, but then again why stay comfortable when you can choose to be brave and let the uncertainty lead you to finding joy in new people, new places, and new memories?
If you know me at all this next part will make you proud, but for those who do not know me personally, I would like to share that I am a pretty shy and introverted person. I like to tell people it takes at least three times to hang out with me in order for me to decide if I can be my weird self around you or not. If you know, you know.
Anyway, within only a week I found my favorite grocery store Sprouts, made friends with an elderly women who distributes samples at Costco, and learned where the post office is to buy more stamps. Ugh talk about #adultthings. More importantly though, I:
Joined the Hillsong church community, plus an amazing connection and volunteer group.
Found Pure Barre, a yoga studio filled with empowering and motivating women who love to work my booty off.
Joined LA fitness, a running club, and a hiking club in the hope to get back in shape, and be surrounded by health driven people like myself.
Again, within only a week I have found so many organizations that have provided me reassurance in my decision, and have made Arizona feel a little bit smaller and more like home. I may not have found as loyal of a BFF as Sam Anez, a friend as silly as Courtney who also serves as my dance partner, or a friend as selfless and giving as Ashley, and I am definitely not even close to finding a boyfriend to make my grandparents happy, but if all this can happen in a week I have no doubt that I am on the right path to finding my way. And hey, who knows what next week will bring! (;
Ultimately I am ready for this next chapter, but as always I would greatly appreciate any other
recommendations / network connections you all may have in the greater Phoenix area. A prayer, a text, or a Facetime every now and then would be cool (it will make me feel special because before, I had my mom at least to text me everyday, but now that I am living with her my phone is about as dead as the HUGE lizard I found on my walk → refer to my snap story for more details).
I cannot wait to fill you all in on some exciting life updates, but first vacation!
Thanks for reading my first post<3
-Cami
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After reading this, my advice to all of you→ If you are feeling frightened about what comes next, don’t be. Embrace the uncertainty. Allow it to lead you places. Be brave as it challenges you to exercise both your heart and your mind as you create your own path towards happiness. Enjoy the present, each moment as it comes, because you’ll never get another one quite like it. And if you should ever look up and find yourself lost, simply take a breath and start over. Retrace your steps and go back to the purest place in your heart… where your hope lives. You’ll find your way again.
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