Are you looking for things to do after college graduation to find your true self?
These are some slightly unhinged but fun things to do after graduation that will help you move through this transition period towards self discovery.
“I just graduated from college; now what?” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. You are one of many recent graduates looking for things to do after college graduation that feel meaningful and give your life direction.
This time of life after earning your bachelor’s degree comes with uncertainty. You may feel tempted to decide if you should take a gap year, find your first job, join the peace corps, start grad school, or something else equally ambitious. But what if I told you that solely focusing on your career path and hard work are an excellent way to lead yourself straight to Burnout City (if you aren’t already there like most college students are!).
If you use this next step to explore life beyond traditional expectations and embrace your true authentic self, this transition can be the perfect time for self-discovery and personal growth.
In this post, you will learn about what to do after graduation from university. After learning these tips, you will be led on the right path during your post-grad life to new experiences and feeling comfortable stepping out of your comfort zone.
This post is all about things to do after college graduation that are a little messy, but still effective!
7 Unhinged Things to Do After College Graduation
Confused After Graduating College?
1. Travel, Visit, or Even Move (!) Somewhere That Makes Absolutely No Sense
Pick a place at random and just go. No friends? No plan? Even better.
Travel is great for self-discovery. But I know, I know, we don’t always have the budget or means to just pack up and move somewhere or head off to Europe. So even if it’s as simple as a trip to a new store, driving somewhere random, booking a cheap AirBnB, or taking a walk in a new park, go somewhere you’ve never been before. A completely new place with maybe even a completely new culture.
Reinvent yourself for the time you’re there. Be the main character in this new story. Try wearing funky hats. Try calling everyone you meet “darling.” Make a dramatic appearance change. You can even introduce yourself to new people with a new name!
You’re not lost—you’re experimenting with your future memoir material.
Worst case scenario? You hate it and know that this character is not for you and you go home. Best case? You find a new you to embody and things that feel right.
2. Say Yes to Something So Wild It Makes Your Friends Concerned
Someone invites you on a cross-country road-trip? GO. Join a circus. Audition for a reality show. A stranger asks you if you want to join their new startup? SAY YES.
Ok, ok, be discerning about how you invest (unless you have that much money, then by all means!), but just remember that the best way to find yourself is to throw yourself into something so weird you have no choice but to grow.
Stepping out of your comfort zone helps shape your identity and grow. If you stay in that same comfort zone forever, you will have no room to grow.
Will you regret it? Maybe. But will you discover something new about yourself? Definitely. Either way, you’ll have stories to tell and lessons learned.
3. Take a Break from LinkedIn Before It Gives You a Quarter-Life Crisis
Nothing triggers imposter syndrome like seeing your classmate post, “Just became CEO at 22! #grateful #hustle.” Here’s a little secret: 90% of us are just winging it. The other 10%? Probably lying.
Instead of comparing yourself to people who list “Excel Wizard” as a skill, focus on what actually makes you happy. You don’t need to hinge your self worth on starting your own business and being your own boss like you might see other people doing on social media.
Let go of the idea of who you “should” be because of societal expectations, and embrace who you are. Self-acceptance and authenticity are the keys to confidently step into your next chapter as your true self. Find the strength to define success on your own terms. Slow down and listen to yourself to find what matters the most to you, and it will set you in the right direction of your own, personal brand of success.
Learn More: 5 Simple Steps to Finding Your True Self: Core Values
4. Try Something Completely Random for No Reason at All
Take up pottery, learn to juggle, start a very niche blog—who cares? This is an excellent opportunity to experiment without the fear of ruining your five-year plan.
Try something you’ve always been curious about! Learning a new skill, hobby, or craft that excites you. The key here is exploring yourself – one of the best ways to develop your self identity. Overcoming fear of failure and embracing curiosity isn’t easy, but it’s a key factor in self discovery.
Worst-case scenario? You have a mildly amusing story about trying new skills that were just not for you. Best case? You accidentally become an expert in candle making!
5. Write a Deeply Unhinged, 10-Year Plan Just for Fun
- Step 1: Live in a treehouse.
- Step 2: Date an emotionally unavailable artist you met in a bookstore in Paris.
- Step 3: Buy a haunted mansion and start a ghost-hunting podcast.
- Step 4: Open a cat café in Portugal.
You might be like “BFFR,” but honestly, just try being delusional for a bit! What’s that quote again? “Reach for the moon. Even if you fall short, you’ll land among the stars.” It may be cliché , but that’s because it’s true.
Want some more realistic examples? Try applying for jobs you have no business applying for. CEO? Astronaut? Luxury Resort Tester? Apply anyway. Confidence is 90% of job-hunting. The other 10% is hoping no one checks your references. What’s the worst that can happen? They say no? You know you’ve been ghosted harder before.
Add even more delulu steps to your plan, just make sure you don’t allow yourself any limitations. You might not end up actually following the plan, but writing it down makes you realize what you actually want.
6. Romanticize Doing Absolutely Nothing
Hustle culture wants you to be productive 24/7. Ignore it. If you dig deep, you’ll notice that not many of these #hustlers are living happy, authentic lives while they #riseandgrind. It’s pretty toxic, to be honest.
So screw that! Find success and happiness by sitting in a cozy blanket, sipping tea, and staring into the void for relaxation. Call it self-care. You’re not “wasting time,” you’re recharging your creative energy. (Or just procrastinating. Either way, it’s a great way to feel good.)
The Happiness Research Institute CEO, Miek Wiking, wrote a book about a huge contributing cultural factor that makes Denmark the happiest country in the world – the concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). The Danes embrace this atmosphere of comfort, coziness, togetherness, and well-being, leading to them being the happiest people. So if you want to be happy, true to yourself, embrace hygge, get comfy and cozy and focus on being relaxed and at ease for the sake of happiness and self care!
Learn More: Hygge Lifestyle Tips (and How to Actually Do it)
7. Accept That No One Actually Knows What They’re Doing (and That’s Okay)
The unspoken secret to adulthood? We’re all just making it up as we go.
Some people fake it better than others, but at the end of the day, no one has it all figured out. Give yourself permission to explore, mess up, and laugh through the chaos—because that’s what makes life fun.
I know from personal experience that you’re probably constantly feeling pressure from family members and friends asking you, “what are your plans after graduation?” But just remember: It’s okay not to have a long-term plan right away.
A college degree ≠ having all your personal goals and professional life mapped out.
Try out different jobs, interests, or lifestyles to see what resonates. If you want your life to be full of happiness and life satisfaction, make sure to always prioritize personal growth over perfection.
Learn More: 9 Bold & Unexpected Ways to Respond to ‘What Are Your Plans After Graduation?’ With Confidence
You’re Doing Fine, I Promise
Higher education and the college experience is an extremely valuable time in life. But graduating isn’t just about the next career move, finding your first full-time job, or giving your resume some kind of competitive edge—it’s about discovering yourself.
So it’s totally okay to put a pause on that job hunt, that graduate school application, that student loans budgeting sesh, or dream job search!
There’s no one right way to navigate life after college. So stop Googling the “correct” answers to what to do after college for recent college graduates (I see you!). Use your free time to try weird things, take naps, ignore social media, and embrace your journey with an open mind and heart. Remember: you don’t need to have it all figured out to live a happy, meaningful life.
Now go forth and embrace the beautiful mess that is life after college.
I believe in you! Gather yourself more invaluable experiences and find your true passion in life, which is a great place to be to find ultimate happiness and authenticity. These are awesome things to do after college graduation.
