Graduation day. It all feels so surreal, like it’s not going to happen. The drive to Uni, you feel like you are pretending it’s your day, but really you’re not supposed to be there at all. Not even to watch. Lining up for registration in 32degree heat at 7.30am, you’re still not supposed to be there. Taking that little white envelope with your name on and guest tickets inside. You’re still not supposed to be there. The moment the kind lady drapes your gown over you and the young man places the cap on your head. You’re still not supposed to be there. How does something so real and so meaningful feel so empty and fake? As your name is called and you walk up on stage, the Chancellor waiting to shake your hand and hand you your degree, it still feels like you’re not supposed to be there.

After working tirelessly for years, spending an obscene amount of money and working towards a qualification you always knew you wanted, why is it in that moment you have achieved the one thing you have worked so hard for, you can’t accept that yes, in fact you do deserve it. You earned this…and after all of that, you are supposed to be there.

Remember… you are supposed to be there.

But what comes next? You have graduated. You have your Degree. You go back to your same old office job (that yes, paid for your degree) but has nothing to do with what you have studied. Nothing to do with what you are passionate about. Nothing to do with who you truly are. You go back to work with this empty feeling, this huge gap in your soul. You are no longer required to do what you are passionate about, only what is currently paying the bills. You have this sinking feeling of having to start all over again. 10years building a career that you aren’t passionate about.

Empty.

The trick is figuring out how to turn that empty feeling into one of opportunity. A feeling of starting again can be exciting, starting to work in something that you feel passionate about, something you have spent years working towards, learning your craft. That emptiness is but the greatest opportunity you will have to start again, flourish in what you love.

Post graduation emptiness is the best gift you will receive. Use it wisely.