20 Signs You’re On the Right Track Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It

❤️😩👏

mostshared.tumblr.com

Venturing out into the real world and losing the glow of the post-college anything-goes glaze can be pretty shocking and altogether terrifying. What am I going to do with my life? Do I have to apply to grad school? Do I even have to go to grad school? Is moving to Paris still an option?

The questions start swirling and all of a sudden everything you thought you knew evaporates into the midst that is reality.

With so much to do and so many options, everything is fair game – so, where the hell do you start? The good news is that there isn’t just one path that leads to the career of your dreams. You can take the road less often traveled by, the one that everyone travels by or carve out a path of your own.

There’s no right, no wrong and an unlimited number of possibilities.

And soon enough you’ll learn that embracing the journey is more thrilling than reaching the destination – and that there’s more to celebrate when you’re on the road to becoming the person you want to be, flaws and all.

You understand that failure is part of the process.

You’ve made your fair share of mistakes, and you know enough know to know that just because you screwed up once doesn’t mean you’ll always do it. You know that stumbling and falling down just make for really good memories. They won’t define you. 

You’re (mostly) happy.

Yeah, you have your good days and bad days, but overall, you’d classify yourself as a glass-half-full kinda kid. Every now and then your bad mood might get the best of you, but it’s never enough to change your view of the world entirely.

You have less drama with your friends.

Gone are the days when you and your biffle used to argue over who was going to wear the cleavage-bearing shirt to the bar or who’s going to get the dorm for the night when her boyfriend is in town.

Now, you guys are arguing over things with actual weight, like who’s going to get that last piece of pizza after a drunk night on the town and who’s going to get out of bed to get the door when it’s delivered.

You’ve discovered who you are.

You’ve learned enough about yourself to know that you don’t like fake friends and that a career in the PR industry isn’t for you. You know that you love staying in on Sunday nights and prefer red wine to white. They may be the little things, but they’re a big deal in your mind. 

You might think you’re poor, but you have enough to afford rent, food and occasional fun (as long as it doesn’t cost too much).

You budget your money so that you can afford groceries, the occasional shopping spree and you even set aside enough to enjoy Friday and Saturday night at your favorite downtown bar.

The best part? You don’t have cringe over rent as badly as you used to (although handing over a chunk of change will never be easy).

You appreciate your family – and you aren’t so defensive when they give you advice.

When mom and dad call you to talk about your “future,” you aren’t immediately on the defensive. Instead, you listen, internalize and appreciate their advice because you know that it’s coming from a been-there-done-that place instead of a tyrannical dictatorship.

Plus, you look forward to getting their perspective on the things in your life that are driving you crazy, whether it’s work, life or friends, you want them to help out. You’ve realized you’re never too old for mommy and daddy’s help.

Your apartment feels like home.

Though you’re not 100 percent done with decorating yet, you’ve got an eclectic mix of thrift store and dollar rack finds that instantly relax you when you walk through the door at the end of the day.

You know it’s not about having the most expensive accessories, but about having a special place to call home. You’re happy that you – and your roommates – have found that.

You’re learning how to stand up for yourself.

Although standing up for yourself has taken on a whole new meaning since you graduated from high school and left the 5th grade bully in your wake, but that doesn’t exactly mean it’s gotteneasier.

You’re not afraid to voice your opinion when you think something is wrong and you know that you’ve got to be your own advocate, both professionally and personally. It maybe wasn’t the easiest lesson to learn, but you’ve set the bar high for how people should treat you – and it feels so, so good.

You’re working for – or toward – something you’re passionate about.

Maybe you ditched a career in computer programming to be a Broadway star or maybe you knew all along that you wanted to be an elementary school principal. It feels fulfilling to know that whatever you decided to be and however you got there is something that you’re crazy about doing.

You’re not afraid to ask for what you want.

Whether it’s a raise, time off or a break from a rocky relationship, you’ve learned enough about yourself to know that sometimes you need to take a step back and really reevaluate the things in your life and their effect on you. When you need something from another person (or when you just want something), you’re not afraid to speak up and give voice to your opinions.

But you know you’re still learning what you want.

Even though you’ve begun to find your voice, you’re still figuring out what you want and how to make that happen. So you speak up when you know you need to, but sometimes you’re content just letting things happen. Like so many other things in your life, you’ve realized that learning what you want is sometimes more fun than getting it.

You know what’s worth fighting for – and what’s not.

Spending three weeks in a Twitter war with your best friend over the selfie she took with your ex-boyfriend isn’t how you define “conflict” anymore. Instead, you two are fighting about the stuff that matters, like relationships and commitment and whether or not you think it’s smart for her to leave a steady career to chase a not-so-solid dream. 

You know what you like – and what you don’t.

We’re talking bigger than the milk chocolate versus dark cholocate debate. You know that you want a friend/partner/coworker who’s going to be trustworthy and loyal, honest and reliable. You know you don’t want someone in your life who’s going to be flaky and unfair – and you’re not afraid to be upfront about your needs, either.

You’ve accepted the fact that you can’t – and won’t – always have the answers to everything.

You can’t remember who the 19th president was and you definitely cannot predict what your life is going to be like five years down the road. You don’t know if you’re still going to be dating your college sweetheart or if you’ll be starting over from scratch in a new city with new friends. It’s terrifying to think that everything is left up to chance, but invigorating to know that you’ll do everything you can to make the most if it.

You have a savings account (a small one, but still, a savings account).

Every month you drop $50 (or less) into this account knowing that one day, when the time is right, you’ll be ready to make a down payment on something you really want. Building this little blanket for yourself may just be the beginning, but it’s a really good start.

You’ve got a foot in the door in the industry of your dreams, even if it’s just an entry-level role.

You know you won’t always be an executive assistant, but for now, it’s okay to be one. You know the road to landing a position as the member of the upper management will come when you garner more experience, so just being a part of the conversation (even if you are the lowest man on the totem pole) feels really good.

You’re terrified of the future, but excited for what’s to come.

Nothing sends chills up and down your spine like the question, “So where do you see yourself in five years?” You honestly have no clue (oops!), but accepting that it’s out of your hands no longer debilitates you. Instead, it inspires you.

You’re able to give love – and receive it.

Maybe you’re still working out a few kinks in the Emotionally Available Partner world, but for the most part, you know how important it is to show the people you love just how much you love them. On the flip side, you value just how sweet it is to be hugged and loved every now and again.

You make dinner for yourself at least once a week withoutusing the microwave.

Yep, no Annie’s Homegrown and no Stouffer’s Dinner Deluxes! You’re able to whip up a meal from scratch (even if it is rice and beans) and savor every last bite while you unwind on the couch.

You can afford to buy wine by the bottle instead of by the box.

Although nothing reminds you more of Friday nights in college with your four roommates, you appreciate just how satisfying it is to hit the liquor store and buy the bottle instead of the box.

You make enough to pamper yourself every now and then.

It might not happen every week, but you look forward to those Saturday morning mani/pedi combinations more than anything – and you don’t feel guilty about it, either.