What to Do as a Post-Grad When You Don’t Have It All Figured Out
- Meg Anderson
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Graduation is supposed to feel like the grand finale. You’ve spent your entire life moving from one grade to the next in school, all culminating in this grandiose moment symbolizing the start of your journey into the "real world." Some of your friends might have job offers lined up, others are moving to new cities, and a few might already be in grad school. And if you’re sitting there wondering, “Am I on the right path?" - you're not alone.
The truth is, nobody has it all figured out, even if it looks that way on Instagram or LinkedIn. And even better news: you don’t need a perfect plan to move forward. What you need is aligned action.
Why You Don’t Need the Perfect Plan in Post-Grad Life
If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent a lot of time overthinking the “right next step.” After graduating, I accepted a finance job in New York City that I had lined up at the start of senior year after my internship. On paper, it was everything I was supposed to want: stability, prestige, and a clear career path. Everyone told me I had a “bright future ahead.” But the moment I walked into that big shiny skyscraper on day one, I knew deep down this wasn’t the path meant for me.
My first two years out of college ended up being some of the most difficult of my life. I was far from home, living in a city that felt too big, working in a job that didn’t feel aligned. I kept waiting for clarity to arrive, trying to plan my way out through constant networking, job applications, and even researching grad schools (at one point I wondered if I should have even gone to college at all!). But the more I planned, the more stuck I became.
The real shift happened when I stopped waiting and started taking small, aligned steps toward the life I actually wanted: becoming a NASM-certified personal trainer on the side, posting fitness content online, building Pink & Powerful, and eventually taking the leap to leave corporate America entirely.
The lesson? Over-planning can keep you in place. Action, even imperfect action, is what moves you forward.
What Aligned Action Actually Means
Aligned action isn’t about throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what sticks. It’s about tuning into what excites you and then doing the next small thing that matches that energy.
If you want to explore a new field, set up one coffee chat with someone working in it.
If you’re drawn to wellness, sign up for a local yoga class or start a fitness challenge.
If you have a business idea, jot it down in your notes app and share it with a friend.
These steps might feel small, but they add up. Aligned action is less about the scale of the step and more about the direction. You’re showing yourself that you’re willing to start, even when you don’t have the entire path mapped out.
Why Action Builds Clarity
A common myth is that you need clarity before you act. In reality, clarity comes from action. You learn by doing, not just by thinking.
When I first started Pink & Powerful, I didn’t know it would become a women’s empowerment community with coaching programs and events. I only knew that I wanted to bring women together and create a space for post-grad growth. One step led to another: a small event became a series, coaching calls turned into group programs, and eventually, my own group coaching program, 77 Aligned was born.
Had I waited until I had the entire plan figured out, I’d still be waiting. Instead, each step revealed the next.
Self-Discovery Prompts to Guide Your Next Step
If you're like me, you might have spent your entire life and college years studying, applying for internships, and moving from one semester to the next step without ever pausing to reflect on what you actually want or enjoy. That's how I ended up in a coveted NYC Finance job that felt completely wrong for me.
Before you dive into action, it can be very helpful to take a moment to reconnect with yourself. These prompts can help you rediscover what truly excites you:
What were you like as a kid? What games, hobbies, school subjects, or TV shows made you happiest?
What activities make you lose track of time because you’re so absorbed?
If money and obligations didn’t exist, how would you spend a perfect, carefree day?
What do people consistently compliment you on or come to you for advice about?
What parts of your current job or studies bring you the most fulfillment—the actual tasks, mentorship, learning, your teammates, creating, something else?
Name 1–3 people (celebrities, historical figures, or people you know) whose lives inspire you. What about their path excites you?
From Lost to Aligned: How to Start
If you’re in that “lost after graduation” place, here are a few simple ways to take aligned action:
Journal about what excites you. Use the prompts above and circle 2–3 themes that show up again and again.
Say yes to one opportunity this week. A class, an event, or a conversation that matches those themes.
Move your body daily. Physical momentum fuels mental momentum. My own self-discovery journey started by first prioritizing my physical and mental health.
Find an accountability partner. Progress is easier together, and who you surround yourself with really does matter.
Choose progress over perfection. Focus on taking consistent small steps each day, rather than worrying about making perfect or massive strides.
Community Makes Aligned Action Easier
Taking action is powerful on your own, but it’s even stronger with a supportive community. That’s the heart of 77 Aligned, my 77-day group coaching program. It’s designed to help women stop waiting for the perfect plan and instead take consistent, meaningful steps toward the life they want.
Each week, we focus on building aligned habits, exploring new possibilities for what our lives may hold, and supporting one another through the ups and downs of the post-grad journey. It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about choosing one step at a time and trusting where it leads.
Reframing Your Post-Grad Years
Your first few years after graduation don't need to be about nailing down a five-year plan or finding the perfect job. Instead, think of it as your practice ground for aligned action. This is your chance to try new things, learn about yourself, and move closer to the life you want.
So if you don’t have it all figured out take a deep breath. You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Your dream life won’t come from waiting for the perfect plan. It will come from showing up, taking one aligned step, and trusting that clarity will follow.
And when you’re ready to take those steps with other women who are just as committed to growth, check out 77 Aligned. Together, we’ll turn your uncertainty into action and your post-grad year into a launchpad for your future.
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