A few months ago, I graduated from Stony Brook University with a BA in English. With no intentions to attend graduate school and no idea what kind of career to pursue, I remain stuck. Family members, friends, acquaintances, coworkers were always asking me after learning of my graduation, what now? What’s next?

To that, I would simply shrug my shoulders and carry on my way. I’m not sure why everyone cares so much as to what’s next in someone’s life after graduation, and why everyone is so astonished when I don’t have a plan.

The way I see it is that I’m using my unsureness for my own benefit. This gap between my academic life and my professional life is giving me some freedom that I deserve and need. Why rush from one huge chapter to the next? I was tied down to college life for five and a half years right out of high school. I don’t want to be tied down to a job right away.

I need a BREAK.

Why is that so hard for people to understand? Truth be told, I haven’t even started looking for a full-time job yet, nor do I want to anytime soon. Just because I have earned my degree, that doesn’t mean I have to put it to use right away. I see the way adults go about their lives. It’s always work, work, work. Where’s the fun? Where’s the freedom?

I understand that I am going to need a full-time job soon in order to accomplish the goals that I want: travel, move out, start a family of dogs and pigs; but why not enjoy the freedom I have now while I have it to do things I’ve always wanted to do, but couldn’t because of the other commitments, i.e. school, that didn’t allow me the time to accomplish them?

For instance, I finally have time to go to the gym, read books I’m interested in, learn about feminism, and write. I have the rest of my adulthood to work, so I decided that I am going to abuse the time I have off now while I have it.

And it’s not like I’m not working. I still think it’s important to have a job that will support you in whatever phase of life that you’re in. I do think jobs, even part-time ones, are important to every young person’s life because it teaches responsibility and gives you the opportunity to make your own way by not mooching off your parents’ funds forever.

Not only do I have all this pressure from outsiders to pick a career and to start looking for what is considered a “real” job, but I recently have received some interesting and intriguing news at my current part-time job. I was told that if I stay in my position through the summer and into the next school year (September), I could be offered more hours (still maintaining a part-time position) and ask for a raise which I will more than likely be granted. That would put me in a position of making decent money.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my job and the work that I do, but I’ve been a gymnastics coach for seven years now, and it’s not what I envision for my future; however, I would be making more money by staying than I probably would at a full-time entry-level job. But the question is, do I really want to revolve my life around money?

I always thought I wasn’t that girl. I would always choose happiness over money. And I am happy at my job, I really am; but do I really want to be a gymnastics coach my whole life? When I really think about it, the answer is no. So when is the time to end my freedom and start a “new chapter?” When is the time to commit my days to a career? When is the time to do something more with my life?