Word Wednesday: Volume 2

If there's anything in life that I am not, it's patient (among other things including Beyoncé, a skilled chef, or an actual mermaid). Patience has always been something I've struggled to have with myself. I would have to say that I've struggled the most with it in the last 5 months.

I graduated from UNC Charlotte in December of last year with a degree in elementary education, in the middle of the public school year. I moved back home and began my job search with no luck. Until about a week ago, the job website has been scarce since I'm focusing the search between my county and the neighboring county. To say the least, the past few months have been trying and discouraging. Patience has been key and it. has. been. hard.

I've learned a lot about myself during this time including:

• It's okay to not have a "big girl" job as soon as you graduate
• It's okay that I didn't pass my licensure exams before I graduated (those things are passed now PRAISE)
• It's okay to live with your mama and daddy during this time
• It's okay to want bigger things for yourself
• It's okay to be anxious, nervous, and unsure at times
• It's okay to pray about the silly, little things (thinking in retrospect) along with the big stuff
• It's okay, girl

Looking back to where I was when I graduated and how hopeful I was stepping into this world, I need to get back to that girl. This time in limbo has helped me realize that not everything is going to be instant and certain and that's okay. It has been a blessing in disguise because I had time to focus on my licensure exams, really think about where I want to live, and where I want to focus my job search. I've had time to think about the fun stuff too, like how I want to decorate my first apartment or even the apartment picking process itself.

The hardest thing I have dealt with since graduation is having patience in knowing things are exactly where they should be. I know my job search is coming to an end soon. I've had the opportunity to grow as an adult and I know I'm going to have to make some tough decisions soon. This is the time to be frustrated with myself and that's okay.

A year from now I'll look back on this and realize that the frustration and patience and happy dances and job applications and arguments and tears and laughter and whispered prayers were all stepping stones. Girl, it's okay. YOU DID IT!