I graduated from college in May of 2016 at 24. Now that I have some distance on this, I have no problem with that at all, but at the time I felt like I was already behind. I felt guilty and a bit ashamed that I hadn't graduated at a fresh, young 22, ready to take on the world. Now, though, I realize that tons of people don't graduate at 22, and to be honest, I was not ready to be thrown out into the real world at 22. Not at all.
I graduated with a degree in elementary education. I wanted to be a teacher so much. I was just sure that it was my calling (eye roll). Getting a teaching job fresh out of college isn't exactly a breeze, though. I went to fifteen interviews before I landed a job. Here's the thing about this job - it was in a title one school, in an extremely rough neighborhood, an hour away from me. And to clarify, I live in a big city, so I was driving an hour to a smaller neighboring city to work in this extremely tough school. Oh, and here's the kicker, I taught sixth-grade. I never wanted to teach sixth-grade. Ever. It was hard (that feels like the understatement of the century).
This began what has been by far the worst year of my life so far. For the whole year I could never really relax. I dreaded going to work. I cried all the time, pretty much anything would set me off. My house was constantly a mess, I was constantly cranky and exhausted, and I was so rude to my fiance (now husband). I really don't know how he put up with me. So when spring came and I mentioned quitting, he was fully on my team.
SO I QUIT MY JOB.
I didn't have another job lined up. I didn't have a particular plan, except that I was going to get another teaching job. Of course I was. And I went to a lot of interviews. Probably 10 or 12. And somewhere along the way, I stopped wanting to get another teaching job. I felt extremely guilty about this and tried to tell myself I was being silly. No other teaching job would be as bad as the one I had just left. I've wanted to be a teacher for so long! It's my dream! My calling! But eventually just the thought of getting another teaching job nearly sent me into a panic attack, so I resolved not to think about it for a while.
Guess what else I was doing during this extremely stressful worst year of my life? Planning a freaking wedding. Because I'm crazy. So in May of 2017, I got married to the best man in the world. And then we took a honeymoon to Canada. And then three days after we got back we moved across the city. So by the time that was all over I felt pretty... lost.
Now I've had a few weeks to think about things and instead of feeling lost I'm actually feeling inspired. I have a fresh start. I can do whatever I want. I can spend a whole year just finding out what makes me happy.
But what about money?!?
Oh yeah. I decided to be a substitute teacher this year. I subbed all through college and although it's less lucrative than teaching (you know, the big bucks) it's also wayyyy less stressful. And less time consuming. And I can work closer to home. The benefits go on. And while I'm doing this, I plan to explore the idea of having a side hustle or two. My first side hustle? This blog.
Stay tuned!
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