Ask a Latina is your advice column offering personal and professional guidance. Submit your question here.
Dear Ask a Latina,
In a little over a month, I’ll graduate from college, take my life across the country, and move in with my boyfriend.
These are steps toward my goals and dreams, and all things I want, but I can’t help but feel like the rug of everything-I’ve-ever-known is getting pulled out from under me.
How should I approach the anxiety that I’m feeling, and how do I know that I’m doing the right thing?
– Unsure Graduate
Dear Unsure Graduate,
Taking those first steps towards your goals sounds important to you, so it’s smart to explore the feelings that are causing you to pause.
Most people feel anxious when the path before them isn’t clear, especially during life transitions. Super relatable.
Try approaching those anxious feelings with curiosity and grace.
Questions to Ask When You’re Anxious
Are you nervous about one specific step?
If so, is there anything more you can do to prepare yourself for that?
Does something feel wrong about what you’re doing? Perhaps you need to explore that.
Take each step a bit at a time, day by day, but take action.
Learn By Doing
Research shows we regret what we don’t do more than what we do. Your feelings will probably get louder the closer you get to accomplishing your goal.
Ignore any irrational feeling of fear that comes up (most steps are reversible) and see what your intuition is telling you.
If all is positive, but you’re just feeling anxious about the unknown — be kind and encouraging to yourself. No step you take has to be permanent and trust in yourself to figure things out.
Take a walk, meditate, focus on healthy breathing and calm that vagus nerve down.
Ask for help or advice from those who’ve made the journey you’re on. They can help you avoid their past mistakes and offer you insights you might not find on your own.
