What’s next?
Until then, breathe. You're doing just fine.
‘What’s next?’
This question often creeps in quietly at the end of a chapter (oh, it’s the last day of the month); after a graduation ceremony, a job contract, a long project, or even a relationship.
It doesn’t shout. It whispers. And yet, its weight can feel enormous.
As children, transitions had clearer signposts.
After nursery school came primary school. After that, secondary school. The journey felt structured, almost automatic. But as we grow older, those signposts become fewer and farther between. After secondary school, it’s no longer so straightforward. University, at least in Nigeria, comes with its hurdles: external exams, JAMB scores, the risk of strikes, and funding uncertainties.
Then comes the transition after university, which is a different kind of unknown. Some people have jobs waiting. Many don’t. Some pursue postgraduate studies, but even that comes with questions: Can I afford it? Is it the right step? What if I’m just buying time?
The truth is, there’s no single answer to “what’s next?”, and not everyone is meant to follow the same path. But because we live in a society that prizes constant motion, it can feel like a personal failure to be still.
To say, “I don’t know yet,” can sound like weakness, when in fact, it often takes great strength.
This isn’t a how-to guide. I’m not here to give five steps to figure out your future. What I can offer is honesty: sometimes, you’re allowed to pause. You don’t need to rush into the next thing just to prove you’re making progress. There is wisdom in waiting. There is courage in resting.
When I approached the end of my postgraduate professional studies last year, I felt the same pressure. People asked me what was next, and while I had a few options, none of them felt like the right fit, at least not immediately. So, I chose something different. I gave myself two quarters to slow down, to breathe, and to live out what I had learnt, instead of immediately chasing what I hadn’t. During that time, I found joy in helping younger professionals navigate their journeys, connecting them with opportunities, and encouraging them in their growth. It wasn’t part of a grand plan, but it ended up being deeply fulfilling, and surprisingly fruitful.
Living out what I had learnt gave me clarity and confidence. And as it turned out, it didn’t go unnoticed. I got promoted to a more senior role at work. My boss credited this decision to the experience I had built, not just on the job, but through my time studying media innovation and exploring the Nigerian and South African media landscapes last year.
That season of rest and reflection, where I focused on applying what I’d learnt, played a vital role in preparing me for this step.
So, if you’re in a space of transition, between jobs, between seasons, between dreams, you are not alone. You are not lost. Not knowing what’s next isn’t a dead end; it’s just part of the journey.
Take the time you need. Reflect. Rest. Rediscover what matters to you. Sometimes, the most transformative seasons are the ones where it looks like nothing is happening on the surface, but beneath, you are rebuilding, rethinking, and realigning.
Recommended Read: The Framework of Intention
You don’t need to have all the answers today. The pressure to figure it all out can wait. What’s next will come, in its own time. And when it does, you’ll meet it with clarity, not just busyness.
Until then, breathe. You're doing just fine.
🍿 Things that I have enjoyed recently:
I read a brilliant article, “The Crane Wife” by CJ Hauser, which shares some experiences from Hauser’s life, including navigating infidelity and getting herself back. It was a recommended read during a recent editorial meeting.
"To say, “I don’t know yet,” can sound like weakness, when in fact, it often takes great strength."
These words serve as a reminder for people like me who always want to have everything figured out that it's okay not to. Just like they say, "Read your Bible; you might not know when you’ll need the scriptures in it," I’m thankful I read this today because I know I’ll need this reminder soon.
I always look forward to your newsletters; they are a delight to read. Please continue sharing God’s touch in your life with us because, through your words, I’ve felt His touch too. Thank you, Coz. 🙏🏿
P.S. Feel free to revisit this comment whenever you feel like stopping.
You don’t need to rush into the next thing just to prove you’re making progress. There is wisdom in waiting. There is courage in resting... These words are so profound.
Thank you for this, Johnstone. I'm concluding my Master's degree and this post resonates deeply.
My response now to what next is... I'm trying to catch my breath and figure out the next steps.