I get that 26 is not that old in the grand scheme of things, and yet, all of the ~college graduation~ posts on CF have been hitting me in my feels a little bit. In May, it will have been four years (eek) since my own college graduation. I can’t help but feel like college was an eon ago for me. 

Of course, I feel a little twinge of nostalgia when I think about college, but I also like to think that life is a little easier for me now that I have some work and life experience under my belt. There are so many things that sucked about college and early post-grad life that I’d like to think would barely faze me now, simply because a little experience and perspective have made it easier to tackle adult life. 

If you’re feeling stressed about graduating and leaving college life behind, or post-grad life is kicking your butt a little bit, cut yourself some slack and know that a lot of ish gets easier as you get older. These are the things that get easier for me as I get older: 

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Saying No

When I was younger, and especially when I was in college, I would say yes to almost everything. I wanted to approach new experiences with an open mind, but by my junior year, I had too much on my plate and not enough time, energy, or emotional space for everything (and everyone) I’d committed to. I was, as Ron Swanson would say, “half-assing two things”, but instead of two things, it was many things. 

Now, saying “no” to something is the most delicious feeling. A friend invites me out, but there’s a new season of Chef’s Table? Sorry, not tonight. Next time! Taking on a new project when I’m already swamped? Sorry, I don’t have the bandwidth now. Thank you for thinking of me!