While I, and many other students, are excited to enter the summer season, there’s still an air of nervousness that follows. For me specifically, it’s the nervousness of graduating from college. The freedom granted is one I’ve never experienced before. It’s where I can freely move through the world without an academic pursuit. Now, it’s time to find myself and go out into the world.

On a personal level, freedom is not something that can be universally defined. What one person finds freeing could feel constricting to another. When working towards finding personal freedom within our lives, first ask yourself what that means to you.

Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is imagine that “crazy” version of life. The one that feels just out of reach, the one we quietly push away because it seems too good, too different, or too uncertain ever to be ours. It’s the life where you are fully aligned, deeply fulfilled, and no longer negotiating with your own happiness. And yet, despite how distant it may feel, that vision often holds who you are meant to become.

Change is necessary and inevitable. Much like our personal lives, nature is unpredictable, yet always finds a way through. Spring is particularly a powerful metaphor for change as we explore a transitional period between the old and new.

When we think of change, it can sound both scary and exciting. While I know from firsthand experience that change can be incredible, I also know how intimidating it can be. Something I believe that everyone should keep in mind is that it is never too late to make a change in your life, whether it’s big or small!

While the nostalgia I feel for the game may be as simple as being a game I played in my youth, there is something deeper about Animal Crossing that evokes this feeling amongst many of its players.

Nostalgia can be described as a sentimental yearning for the past. Many positive things can come from nostalgia, such as boosting our mood and finding motivation. When you find yourself thinking about the past, reflect on the ways you can use these memories as a tool to improve your current self.

Independence is often described as the ability to do everything on your own. For me, independence has never been that simple. It has been something I’ve had to redefine over and over again—learning to hold onto my autonomy while also relying on others for the things I cannot do alone.

While independence may be your default, dependence is vital, and as much as it is important to rely on others, you must reciprocate as well. If someone in your community is in need, you help in any way you can. Remember what they have done for you, and try your best to return the favor.

A healthy amount of independence involves feeling comfortable on your own and being able to support yourself. What people often omit from this advice is that you can go too far in that direction and end up dealing with hyper-independence. But being independent doesn’t mean that you completely cut off any outside support; everyone needs help and companionship from time to time.