The problems of being a new 20-something

As a recent college graduate, I've entered the pool of young adults in search of financial stability. Some in my graduating class were fortunate enough to land a job in their respective fields right after graduation, but some, like myself, avidly search for employment anywhere that's hiring (that is if these graduates haven't already attained a position during their attendance at college and just stick around).

I live in the burden of student loans and unknown life goals. I'm not exactly sure what I want to do with my life—everything seems kind of bleak right now—but I do know what my dreams are, and making that a reality is a work-in-progress, on the side job. I can't be passive about that, as I tend to be with anything important due to my overall nervousness. And I often find myself running these lines in my head: "Life is what you make of it" and "It's not forever." The problem with it not being forever is that the present seems like forever. Stuck in a drooling cycle of low hope, even when you're trying to be optimistic and peppy about anything that comes to you.

Assertiveness brings you far as I've learned these past couple of months. And sometimes assuming that role is hard for shy, anxious 20-somethings who just want everything to go according to plan (because we do have a plan—just not a very good one).

A friend of mine gave me advice when I witnessed her exchange pleasantries with a cashier at a gas station. As we settled in her car, I looked at her and said with serious awe, "How do you do that?"

"Do what?" she asked.

"Talk to strangers with such ease, like it comes so easy to you, it's no big deal. With me, I'm like so awkward and don't really know what to say most times."

She took a moment to consider what I said, then replied smoothly, "You know what it is: I just don't care."

I think that's what everyone is slowly beginning to realize in this generation, if they haven't already—and it's still a concept to me that I'm trying to open myself up to. Not concerning yourself with what other people think of you is the bases of making it through life. I'm still having trouble with it as I constantly rehearse my answers for job interviews and standard conversation when dealing with customer service. I want to go at it with a care-free attitude but having set responses give me a vague piece of mind, even if it makes me look a bit boring.

This was just a thought in the downtime. Good luck to those in the same boat as me!