It’s been a year in California and over a year since graduating college (I talk about that more in this post). I really had no idea what to expect post grad and honestly, I am so thankful that there weren’t expectations set up in my head. This year passed any expectations I could have ever set, but also had trials I wouldn’t have expected either. It varies for everyone, but moving to a place I didn’t know, with people I didn’t know (besides Russ), was a new challenge. These are the main 5 things I have learned in the last year that I hope can help you all!
1. Live In An Area You Love
This may sounds really silly, but it is so true. Of course, you should try and get a job somewhere you’ll love, but I am talking more about once you already know the place your working, live in an area you like. For example, I work in Santa Monica. A lot of people who work with me live in the Valley, DTLA, Culver City, etc. But, I knew Santa Monica would make me the happiest. I think so often right out of school, people really compromise with where they live. Which, is totally valid! I had a pretty strict budget I had to stick to with my salary when I moved to Santa Monica so that I could afford rent, student loans and all the other stuff. But, if I have learned anything in the last year, it is without a doubt worth pay 100 or 200 more dollars to live somewhere you love. Getting an apartment close to the beach in Santa Monica made me so happy. It is somewhere I love to be and can easily access everything. Plus, it obviously depends what city you are living in and what the traffic is like, but my other big tip with this is to live close to work. It makes work take up less of your life, your commute not something you hate, and your mornings longer. All in all, the main lesson is to do your research before committing to a living situation. I knew I wanted to be somewhere active, by the water, mountains, Russ and work. Santa Monica was my place. But, for someone who wanted a little bit cheaper rent, the young “LA” vibes, trendy cafes and restaurants, and a more central LA location, they might pick Culver City. Post grad I knew NOTHING about LA. Literally, nothing. But, by doing research, visiting, and talking to others from the area, you can get a good feel for it.
2. Finding Good Friends Takes Time (AND you have to put in effort)
I have touched on this before but finding close friends post grad is HARD. I have been blessed enough to never really struggle with making friends, but moving to a new place, have a 9-6 job, and not knowing anyone to start, really makes it difficult. My advice here is to be patient. Good things take time. But, my other big tip is to give it some serious effort. I think that’s one of the things I admire most about Russ. He is SO good at arranging events with friends, making time for new people and really trying to build those relationships. Growing up playing sports, I was lucky enough to have all the automatic friends through that. Plus, my family is really active at our church back home so I always had great friends through that too. But, post grad, I had neither, and didn’t entirely know how to find new people. My co-workers are all really close in age to me which is HUGE. It has made making friends in that category a lot easier. But, it was still hard to create those deeper relationships in work. So, I started to play in sports leagues at work. We play in a few different leagues that has helped me be so much closer to people. Secondly, Russ and i made a serious effort to be more involved in church this year and we ended up making a handful of our best friends within weeks. But even then, that was 6 months into living in CA. Don’t stress about it, be comfortable on your own and hangout with anyone you can (even if you don’t see them being your best friend, you never know who they’ll introduce you to).
3. Learn Everything You Can From Your First Job
Gosh. I honestly smile writing this one. If you would’ve asked me 2 years ago today, at the start of my senior year of college in the midst of all my fashion design stress, where I see myself post grad, I would have NEVER given you an image of my life right now. At no point would I have said I would be working at a Digital Marketing Agency and I really would not have said I would be on the email marketing team. However, I am so, so, happy where I am. It was for sure God’s bigger plan, because I could have never navigated myself here alone post grad. In the past year I have been pushed to learn things I had never been exposed to, take on challenges I never expected and handle clients I could have never dreamed of. Be a sponge. That is my biggest advice in this category. Soak up e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, always. If your manager or a more experienced co-worker takes the time to teach you something, take notes, ask questions, don’t be afraid to look dumb. That’s where I have learned so much. Go to the lunch-ins with your CEO, take your COO up on office hours, meet people, show your face, it all plays a part in your success and growth.
4. Take Care Of Yourself
This is probably my favorite post grad lesson/tip. I think although college is fun and free time is often present, we put self care on the back burner. Whether you were eating ice cream with your roommates multiple times a week (oops), going out to the bars thursday-saturday, not sleeping because your were studying till 4 am, or not working out because you didn’t fit it in your schedule, we all had our moments of letting it slip our mind. Now that I live on my own, make money and have more free time, some of the biggest things I stress health wise are less sugar, more water, workout 4x a week in the gym (2 outside), take the extra 5 minutes for my skin and meal prep! It sounds scary, but it has been the best thing EVER. I got the Be Well By Kelly book earlier this year and started to commit myself to being healthier. First thing first, I told myself I would eat barely any sugar during the week. I don’t crash/get tired at work anymore ever, I have lost 10 pounds in a few months from it, and most importantly I just never feel bloated or gross anymore. Secondly, I told myself I would drink half my body weight in water every day. Third, I would stick to the workout routine above (and do less cardio and more strength exercises). Lastly, I would plan out all my meals before the week started. I meal prep a few so that I don’t ever run into the hangry phase after work, but I mainly cook during the week. Being healthy takes serious effort, there is a reason everyone isn’t. But once you start it, the results are addicting.
5. Say Yes To All The Uncomfortable Things
I know…ew. It hurts to even read the title. No one wants to say yes to the uncomfortable things. But, DO IT. Whether it is getting coffee with a co worker that is practically a stranger, setting up a meeting with your boss to talk about your career’s future, going on that date, joining the bible study, signing up for the soccer league, or just going to a new workout class with a friend. Post grad, I have been in a handful of awkward situations, but I have told myself to just do it. AND, I have been happy every time that I did it.
