Empowered to Choose

When I was an academically thriving young adult, there was always so much to do, yet not enough time to do it all. I was often navigating the expectations of my family, my friends, and everyone around me. There were so many decisions to make and I often felt overwhelmed by them all. A lot of change was happening at once and I experienced the death of my college roommate & best friend at the age of 21. Not to mention, living in a Black body added to the exhaustion.

Like you, I was conditioned by educational systems to place my worth and value in my GPA and outward achievements. This added to the stress that naturally comes with being a young adult today.

During young adulthood , change and transition can feel constant and nonstop. The decision making process is not always easy. This is especially true when you are faced with changes that you didn't expect or choose for yourself; the ones that are completely out of your control. Things like: a new diagnosis; the death of a loved one; an unexpected ending of a friendship/relationship, changes in your family situation, or another traumatic event that deeply impacts you. These changes can create so much pressure.

Many times, even the changes we intentionally choose can come with big questions, such as: Do I begin a serious relationship right now? Do I end my current relationship? Do I change my major? Do I hold onto the same religious beliefs from childhood? Do I express my gender in new ways? Do I apply to graduate school or enter the workforce? Do I pledge a sorority or fraternity? Do I reach out for help for anxiety & stress, or do I continue to push through burnout? Sometimes the next step is not always clear.