In college you worried that your GPA wasn’t high enough, wondered why you were still single and dissected every text message sent or received. Worrying is the worst. Now you’re in the real world learning how to juggle a fulltime job, budget your money and transition into adulthood. Although it’s true that there are more responsibilities (and anxiety-provoking situations) in the real world, it’s time to put your worries aside and start enjoying life. Read on to learn 20 things you need to stop worrying about after college.
1. Being judged for living at home with your parents.
Think of all the money you’re saving by not paying rent. And if you’re lucky, your mom will still do your laundry and make you dinner.
2. The small stuff.
Forget to write on your friend’s wall for her birthday? Show up five minutes late to a party? Spill a little coffee on your shirt? There’s no point in worrying about these little things. It’s all going to be okay.
3. Keeping up with the Kardashians.
It can be difficult to focus on your own life when everyone around you is constantly bragging about how awesome their lives are. But remember that your life is awesome too. Stop comparing yourself to others or turning life into a never-ending competition.
4. How many likes or retweets you get.
Remember that life exists outside of social media and just because you only got seven likes on your Instagram post doesn’t mean your life sucks and you have no friends.
5. What that text message really meant.
Skip the all-day text deliberation and ignore any underlining meanings. Yes, it is possible that he already has plans for Saturday night. This doesn’t mean he never wants to see you again.
6. Staying in on a Saturday night.
Going out is fun, but so is watching Netflix and eating ice cream out of the container.
7. Skipping the gym to meet a friend for happy hour.
Eliminate the guilt of missing a day at the gym and enjoy a few laughs with a good friend. A yummy cocktail with your bff might be all you need to feel energized and relaxed.
8. Still needing a calculator to figure out tips.
Mental math is difficult. Use your phone calculator. No one’s judging you.
9. Sleeping through your yoga class.
Sometimes we need a little extra sleep so don’t feel guilty for hitting snooze. Yoga can wait. #namastayinbed
10. How many friends you have.
It’s suddenly harder to keep in touch with old friends or make new ones after college. It seems like everyone around you has found their lifelong cliques and you are in it all alone, but this is definitely not true. Would you rather have 20 fake friends or two true friends who are there for you no matter what?
11. Your relationship status.
Single? Dating? Engaged? Married? Remember that your relationship status doesn’t define you. Who cares if you’re in your mid-twenties and still single? Own it!
12. Being married by 26.
Or whatever age you put on your life timeline when you were younger. Let it happen when it’s supposed to happen.
13. How much you spent on dinner.
That steak dinner, fruity cocktail and crème brûlée were so worth it.
14. The past.
Still can’t let go of something silly that happened freshman year of college? Nothing positive will come from stressing about something you can’t change. It’s time to move on and start enjoying the present.
15. Where you will be in five years.
You could be a CEO, married with two kids, living in a different country or exactly where you are today. You’ll never know, and that’s the beauty of it.
16. Whether or not your current career is your dream career.
The important part is that you have a job –it’s okay if you’re still figuring out exactly what you want to do for a living. Consider each job a learning experience and know that you do not need to be settled in your forever career right after graduation.
17. Having seven pairs of jeans but wearing the same pair all the time.
It’s okay, we all do it. You never know when you’ll want to wear that old pair of faded ripped jeans that still fit you from junior high, but for now you’ll stick to your go-to pair.
18. How much money you have.
Unless you’re the founder of a crazy successful startup or you just won the lottery, you probably don’t have as much money as you’d like right out of college.
19. Dishing out $5 for Starbucks twice a week.
You know you should save your money and cut down on caffeine, but those PSLs are just so good. If Starbucks makes you happy then we say go for it. There are worse things than being addicted to Starbucks.
20. What people think about you.
As hard as it seems, not everyone you meet is going to like you. But don’t worry about the haters. Focus on yourself instead of worrying what everything around you thinks.
Stop worrying and start living your life!