The first thing I want to say is that this entire argument stems from social pressure and the word “wanderlust.” Don’t get me wrong, I want to travel around aimlessly and score an amazing job by age 25 as much as the next girl on the cusp of adulthood, but I’m a realist who doesn’t sugarcoat anything. You are going to graduate from college most likely in debt, searching for a job or paid internship while simultaneously balancing your social life and staying on career path that should take you through the next 30 years. Sorry.

I’m not trying to be a smart aleck, because I’ll admit that life after college is also a life that is unbeknownst to me and the two other people writing for this. But from my standpoint, the best and most sensible option after graduating college is to move back home.

As I was getting at before, only a small percentage of people (maybe you’re one of them) are able to graduate and then immediately settle down in the city. I haven’t even gone to college yet, but I feel like I would rather live a more mediocre life in a place where I’m comfortable rather than be struggling just to live in an “exciting” location.

What a lot of people don’t realize is that life is expensive. Staying home after you graduate gives you the chance and all the time in the world to get back on your feet, all while living rent-free. Sure, your social life may be a little less exciting, but you’ll be saving (while possibly bringing in) a lot more money.

Of course, being able to live in the city or move away and experience all those gorgeous sights is incomparable, but you have the rest of your life. There’s a lot of social pressure for young adults to be thriving somewhere, traveling, making money and living it up at the same time. There will be people like that, and you will see them through the filtered view of social media and it will make you feel like garbage. Don’t get caught up in that. If you move to the city or move away, you will most likely end up trying to work a part-time job to make ends meet on top of doing additional work for your “dream career,” trying to have a social life all while trying to fit in time to eat. Plus, you won’t have a yard for a dog.

Take a year, or five after you graduate. You’re not missing out on opportunities, because you still have decades ahead of you and plan out the rest of your life and reunite with old friends, all from the comfort of your own home.  In addition, there is nothing embarrassing about moving back home. What’s wrong with wanting to be comfortable and not mentally and physically drained every single day? Move back home, and by doing this you will be making a smart, long-term financial decision.