time and what we should do with it

me when people ask me what I want to do after college

In a place like NYC, time moves fast. It’s the name of the game. Everyone’s racing to their next meeting, dinner reservation, or appointment, and it creates this constant, underlying panic. The man I see sprinting down the subway stairs? I start running too. I could have 20 extra minutes to get to work, and whether or not I make this train truly doesn’t matter—but somehow, I have to catch it. Waiters rush you through meals to squeeze in another reservation. My barista moves like lightning and doesn’t care if I asked for iced instead of hot—at this point, I don’t even bother correcting her. I blaze past people on the sidewalk at all hours. But that’s not New York’s fault. If you want to stroll, head to the park.

And yet, in the most fast-paced place I’ve ever been, I’ve weirdly found peace with the concept of time.

As summer winds down, I keep getting the inevitable NY intern question: “So... are you coming back?” If you’d asked me that in May, I might’ve cried. I was drowning in anxiety over what’s next. Tabs open for apartments I couldn’t afford, job listings I knew I wouldn’t hear back from, budget trackers that made post-grad life look impossible. Rent, car payments, furniture, the dog I’ve always wanted—it all felt like too much. A simple “Where do you want to live?” or “What do you want to do?” could send me into a full-blown spiral.

I wish I could pinpoint the moment that changed things, but it wasn’t one moment. It was a slow burn. Somewhere in the chaos, I realized no one really has it figured out. Not even the CEOs—they’re winging it just like the rest of us. In a world obsessed with the next thing—the next raise, trip, purchase—I’ve never wanted more for time to just slow down.

And finally, I have an answer to the classic post-grad question: “I have no clue, but I’m going to figure it out.” It’s simple. It’s awesome. And it’s true. Somewhere along the way, I realized I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. That thought alone made time stand still for a second. I can’t believe I’m heading into senior year— I definitely can’t think about what comes next. But letting go of the fear? That’s been healing.

Time isn’t meant to move like this. Social media has wrecked our attention spans. Planes, cars, even our to-do lists are all designed to get us somewhere faster. Of course we’re all in a rush—the world is built around doing more in less time. Money, success, visibility—it’s all exhausting, more than it is glamorous.

Humans weren’t designed to move or consume at this speed. We weren’t meant to know a thousand faces, stories, and influencer routines. We weren’t built to constantly compare our lives to strangers online. In my worst moments of overwhelm, my brain is moving at 9,000,000 mph—thinking about what to post, what book to read, how to optimize my resume, where to go out this weekend, and oh yeah, that 5-year plan I haven’t written.

So when chaos hits, I picture myself in the 1800s. Seriously. It grounds me. If I were 21-year-old Peyton in 1865, I’d be worried about staying alive, finding a suitor, and maybe wondering what Queen Victoria was up to. I wouldn’t be stressed about Parke drops or whether TikTok wants me to put cottage cheese in everything I eat. It's insane when you really think about it.

Time’s going to keep flying. That’s not changing. But what can change is how I react to it. I’ve started focusing on what I do know instead of panicking over what I don’t. So, to all my fellow college seniors hanging onto the last thread of childhood, here are a few thoughts to keep in your back pocket:

• I’m going to figure it out. I always have, and I always will.

• How lucky am I to have so many versions of life to choose from?

• Why stress about where I’ll be in a year and risk missing out on the best one yet?

• You can always change your mind.

• I have no real responsibilities. Just me. And she’ll figure it out when the time comes.

And if you’re still spiraling, here’s what I think we should be doing with our time instead:

• Call your mom (she misses you)

• Read a book under a tree

• Walk without headphones

• Reconnect with an old friend

• Take a nap

• Sleep in and make pancakes

• Wear pajamas until 2pm and don’t feel guilty

• Cuddle your dog

• Watch kids play in the park (heal that inner child)

• Learn a card game

• Watch the sunset

• Try something new—yoga, drawing, anything

Life is way too serious, and time is being dictated by it. No one has it all figured out—I sure as hell don’t. So slow down. Take a breath. Realize you’re living in a world full of answered prayers. And when the time comes to make a decision, trust that your intuition will tell you exactly where you belong.

I love you.

 xoxo,

 P