In my quest for insights on navigating adulthood, I reached out to numerous women about their experiences after graduating college. What did they wish they had known to help them avoid struggles and ease their transitions in their 20s and 30s? Here’s a notable response.
Name: Sarah Roberts
Age: 32
Location: Brooklyn
Profession: I serve as the features editor at Foodie.com, where I’m currently spearheading the launch of the site’s new narrative and longform journalism initiative. I also contribute as an editor for a renowned food and travel magazine, Flavor, where I previously held the position of executive digital editor. I co-authored Flavor’s cookbook, The Kitchen Essentials, and I pen articles on various topics for platforms like Medium, Refinery29, and The Hairpin.
What wisdom do you wish you had prior to graduation?
I wish I had understood the liberating nature of endings. Before graduating, I had never experienced a breakup or resigned from a job. Yet, within ten months of stepping into the real world, I faced both these significant life changes in a mere two weeks. At just 22, I was convinced that I would marry my college boyfriend and that my job would be my lifelong career. After losing both simultaneously, I was left feeling as though I was doomed to live a life alone and unemployed—it seemed like the end of the world.
However, I discovered that endings can also serve as a form of liberation. A mix of forced self-reflection and some great therapy helped me uncover more about myself than I ever knew. I learned what truly makes me happy and what I genuinely desire.
Fast forward ten years, and those insights continue to drive me. While I have navigated through more breakups and job transitions—each with its own emotional toll—I now face these challenges with less fear. Sure, there are still moments of heartbreak and tears, but I wish I had known that resilience is part of the journey. You retain your identity, maintain your perspective, and often emerge from these experiences even stronger.
This piece is part of a series. You can explore additional advice from women about their twenties here.
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In summary, life is full of unexpected turns, but understanding that endings can lead to new beginnings is key. Embrace the journeys, learn from them, and remember that you are not alone in your struggles.