I Graduated. Now What?

My boyfriend took my graduation photos with my iPhone. Saved me $600 I didn't have. Thanks, Joel!

Guys, I did it.

On Saturday, May 10th, 2025, I walked across the stage (without falling, might I add) to receive my undergraduate diploma. Well, the cover for my diploma. I think they mail the paper to us in July.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Film/Digital Media Production) from Georgia College & State University. Summa Cum Laude AND Honors with Distinction. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty dang proud of myself. I had an incredible four years.

During those four years, I accomplished a lot of things I never thought I'd be able to accomplish with mild-cerebral palsy and high anxiety. I lived independently and thrived at doing so, maintained a rigorous workload and stellar GPA, made lifelong friendships, and was President of a student organization (shoutout Bobcat Multimedia!).

I also hosted a weekly radio show and, perhaps the most miraculous thing of all, met my first ever boyfriend. Yes! More on that later.

But now it's over.

Just one day later on Sunday, May 11th, I packed up most of my things, said goodbye to my friends and boyfriend, and moved from Milledgeville to Pensacola to live with my parents. With no job secured or plan in place, it's back to the nest until I find something.

While I'm extremely grateful to have such a loving and supportive nest to go back to, I can't help but already feel trapped. Four years of autonomy and building my own life. Gone.

Follow along as I try to answer my titular question:

Now what?