Image via rachel a. k.

This is a guest post by the two lovely ladies over at The Real Post Grad. This blog is unique in the sense that it shares two perspectives from two different women on the same adventure. Below you will find what they have learned to use as coping mechanisms while living the post grad life.

Coping in Chaos

Allison

When I think about how I’ve handled post grad life so far, it’s hard to narrow down the exact actions that have truly helped me to cope- there are too many. My experiences since getting my diploma in May 2010 have just been a fast paced blur. Somehow, in a matter of months, I was able to land ”grown-up” job, find new apartment, make new friends and adjust to life in a new city.

Sometimes, I find that all it takes to cope with post grad life is a solid venting session to my parents, friends, boyfriend, or random person on the side of the street (just kidding about that last one). Just talking it out often helps to unleash all of my frustrations and get some helpful advice.

Other times, coping comes from much smaller and seemingly insignificant parts of my life. A night at my favorite Mexican restaurant with friends can soothe a stressful work week like you wouldn’t believe. A jog on the treadmill, waking up early enough to make tea, organizing my room, finally being able to drive home from work when it’s still light out… all of these small things remind me daily that while life might be transitional right now, I am still so lucky to be where I am.

Writing about my life on The Real Post Grad has been such a unique experience, though I don’t know if writing for the website has actually helped me to cope quite yet. Sharing my ups and downs and hearing about others has been therapeutic, but I think this website will actually help me to cope most when I find myself in another transitional stage of my life.  Just like I often look back on my old fashioned paper journals from high school and junior high for comfort, I can see myself looking back at these posts in a few years to see that everything is going to be okay.

Shikole

Coping with Post Grad life has been almost as much of a mystery as Post Grad life itself. What works one day with one predicament does not work the next day with a different one The fluctuation of events in this strange time in life has forced  me to cater the mechanism to the problem or emotion of the moment.

Some pairings I have found helpful:

- When you are angry at your boss, breathe. Most of us just get increasingly angry, try to get our two cents in, and inadvertently hold our breathe. Next time you notice yourself get angry at work, breathe.

- When overwhelmed, drink tea. Being overwhelmed is a common feeling in post grad life, and I have found that sipping tea numbs that feeling a bit.

- When aggravated, clean. I have become more and more OCD when it comes to a clean kitchen since graduation. Cleaning it alleviates my aggravation. Scrubbing the pans and stacking the dishwasher just takes it all away.

- When you feel lost, try watching a travel documentary. Bizarre Foods is my favorite, but there are several more. There’s nothing like watching a show about travel to ground you in your life. It also usually gives me great inspiration for new kinds of food to try.

These are only temporary solutions until adjustment sets in to replace the craziness, but I have found them helpful. Writing about all my frustrations for TRPG is also a huge help, and hopefully can aid all our readers as well.

Follow Allison and Shikole’s adventures on The Real Post Grad.

Amanda Abella

Amanda Abella is a freelance writer and language instructor based out of Miami, Florida. She has been writing professionally since 2009 and holds a degree in English Literature from Ave Maria University. Amanda Abella is available for freelance work, why not hire her?

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