Graduation Dance
Graduating from a school, college, or program is supposed to be one of those “happy” events we celebrate, falling in the same category of major life transitions as weddings and births. You are moving from one place to another, from one status to another, from one degree to another. And that’s a good thing, and can be a very happy event.
Ch..ch..ch..ch..changes!
But transitions are stressful because by definition they imply major life change. And major life changes require major adjustments, which is where the stress comes from. If you’re leaving middle school for high school, high school for college or work, college for graduate school, or looking for work…you are moving into uncharted territory. Uncharted, at least, for you. It wouldn’t be abnormal at all if you had a strong desire to stay right where you are forever.
Follow the Trail
Here’s one very important thing for you to remember: this is actually not uncharted territory! Others have gone before you and not only survived but left the proverbial trail of bread crumbs for you to follow. You do not have to figure out how to do well in high school, college, medical school, graduate school, or “the real world” all by yourself. There are books, websites, blogs, and forums to help you to learn about and excel in any new arena you enter.
All you have to do is seek them out. And a secret: Most people who have made it to the next step are really happy to help you get there, too. Just ask!
Forge Your Own Path
In addition to making use of all of the accumulated wisdom of people who have gone through these transitions before you, it’s important that you forge your own path. So maybe you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but maybe you can invent a more efficient one or a more beautiful one. That’s going to be your contribution to the world and it’s very, very important.
Trust your gut, follow your instincts, and don’t be afraid to veer away from the pack when you have an idea you feel you must see through.
It’s All Yours, Kid!
Let yourself feel all the happiness of having made it through, all the joy and pride of achievement that goes with graduation, and being able to define yourself as having completed something important. Let yourself also feel the sadness of endings, the uncertainty of new beginnings, and the excitement about what lies ahead that you cannot predict. It’s all yours, kid! You’ve earned it.
Congratulations!
Dr. Anita Sanz, PhD, Psychologist
You Have Permission
Got Critics? Do you have people in your life who are, shall we say, “unsupportive” of you? How about downright…
The Therapist of Oz
We’re Off to See the Therapist! Clients come to therapy with many different expectations, wants, and needs. Some people want…
Please Don’t Try to Change
Don’t Try! I mean it. Don’t try to change. Not one thing. Not your bad habits, your bad behavior, or your…
Mental Health Hygiene
Cut Your Therapy Bill In Half! Psychotherapists can do so much to improve mental health. They can provide information, teach…
Yes, You DO Need A Vacation!
Vacation Poor America Of all developed countries in the world, Americans are the worst at taking time off from work. Compared…
It’s Snark Week!
You know them… snarky people. The masters of that combination of sarcastic and cynical that ends up being smugly critical and…
Face It
When I am working with clients in therapy, I often share with them this piece of universal wisdom: The extent…
Your Rights and Responsibilities When You’re Sick
Being Sick Sucks The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil Whether it’s a bad chest cold, or a serious diagnosis of a cancer tumor,…
“I Don’t See Myself Getting Better”
The Curtain Falls You might have just hit a rough patch. Or maybe those feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt are…
Where Are My Happy Pills?
I know there’s no such thing as a “happy 🙂 pill.” But for some people, there are some medications that…
A Season of Change
A Magical Time of Transition Have you ever walked out of your front door on an Autumn morning and you…
Keeping Grandma Healthy
Would You Know What To Do? You get the phone call that your 79-year-old grandmother has just been admitted to…
Coping With The Loss Of A Pet
Pets for Mental Health Pets add immeasurably to the quality of life…. so much so that I have often advised…
Spinning Plates
So you’ve been trying to eat healthier, lose those last 10 pounds, get an exercise program going, learn how to…
- Well Being (56)
- Life Hacks (18)
- The Big Picture (8)
- Health (10)
- Relationships (13)
- Holidays (7)
- Therapy (40)
- Anxiety (9)
- Depression (16)
- On The Couch (15)
- Life Planning (5)
Related Posts
Self-Esteem Is YOUR Job
What Can Kwanzaa Teach Me?
