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We've all heard about the real world; it's a place that eclipses dreams with the shadows of responsibility and real life problems. It transmits a sense of cynicism, drudgery, and an acceptance of the way things are. Over the last year, I've found myself journeying farther and farther into this shadow-land, and have not evaded its pall.
However, despite accepting that dreams are nice but money comes first, I like to think I've kept one foot in the sunny land of childhood and imagination. I've carried my old friends, hobbies, and passions with me as flashlights into the real world. Little things like learning Spanish on my phone during lunch, listening to the radio, and having a book to read or story to write keep me going through the rote cycle of work. They help me not take life too seriously. But I still face significant challenges in adapting to this world. Specifically, where on earth do I fit in?
How does one adjust from the casual atmosphere of university life, a place where everything is laid out for you and the schedule is flexible, into this rigorous world, where who you know matters more than how hard you study? How does one reconcile one's internships and case studies with the pressures and changes of the real deal? Also, in my case, how does one go from NYC back to Texas and establish his working life?
I first took a little break from working and went up to Kansas City to admire the solar eclipse. I was then swept into the adventure of hurricane Harvey while visiting my girlfriend. But by September I was aggressively looking for a job in Marketing, applying to a new one or sending an inquiry every day.
But I was still fresh from college and didn't know any recruiters. By October I was disheartened and applied to my trusty credit union where I interned two summers in college. They were happy to accept me as a teller. It's not what I had hoped for and certainly isn't easy but I've learned to enjoy it. It's allowing me to build towards the goal of a family.
It is but my first step into the real world, and I'm always looking for my next one. Nine months later, I've worked hard and am excited to see what comes next. I know I will bring my flashlights with me to keep this real world dim, not dark, purposeful, not hopeless. To battle the cynicism, we must never stop improving, strive for something beyond financial comfort, and look for the good in working life. Because work itself is ordered to community, discipline, and self-sacrifice. It instills valuable life-lessons you can't get at a university. To adjust properly, we must be patient and take little steps, know what you're worth but also have realistic expectations.
And if we do that, maybe the real world doesn't have to be dark. Maybe it can be the place where responsibility calls us to a better version of ourselves, and even prepares us for later dreams. In the end, it's our decision to adapt to the real world without letting it change who we are, or let it make us miserable. It's one or the other, and I plan to decide the former daily.