To the Class of 2025: Work with Purpose. Live with Heart.

Dear Graduate,

Whether you're throwing your cap in the air or quietly exhaling after years of hard work, I want to take a moment to say: Congratulations. This is a big deal. You made it. I remember the feeling even if it was too long ago.

You might be feeling all the feelings right now—pride, excitement, uncertainty, even a touch of sadness. That’s normal. You’re standing at a doorway between who you’ve been… and who you’re becoming.

So as someone who’s walked a few more miles down the road, I’d love to share a few things I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes.

Consider this your Life & Career Survival Kit—from my heart to yours:

🌱 1. Your path doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Detours, mistakes, confusion—they’re all part of how you find your way. I see too many young people judging themselves too fast. It is OK if things do not line up as you want. Patience is the key.

💡 2. Use both your heart and your head. Some of your best decisions will come from intuition, not logic. Learn to trust that inner knowing. Check the reality and the forecasts for the jobs yet know there is always another way to make it happen even if others do not see it.

🚫 3. Stop seeking permission. You don’t need anyone’s approval to live a life that’s true to you. Really.

❤️ 4. Take care of your emotional and physical health. It’s the foundation for everything else. You are a generation who knows how critical mental health is so keep making it a priority.

🎯 5. Don’t settle for “just a job.” Yet that might not be the first job you get. Get experience. See what you love and don’t love at every job. Every new job will bring you closer to who you want to be and what you really want to do in your lifetime. You’ll spend thousands of hours working. Make it count. You don’t have to figure it all out today—but never stop looking for work that gives you life, not just a paycheck.

🎉 6. Make room for joy. Even when things are uncertain or hard, seek out what brings you energy and play. Even at work.

🧠 7. You are not your fear. Your brain will try to keep you “safe.” That’s its job. Thank it… and then go do the bold thing anyway.

🌍 8. Dream big. Every single thing in this world started as someone’s dream. Why not yours?

✨ 9. Find your why. It’s okay if you don’t know your purpose yet. Just stay curious. Follow what lights you up, and purpose will start to reveal itself.

There’s no one right way to “launch” your life or career. You don’t have to follow someone else’s blueprint. You get to create your own.

Just keep moving toward what feels meaningful, true, and alive for you. And know that you’re never alone. We’re cheering you on.

With heart, Brooke

To download a Career and Life Launch guide with some of the best commencement speeches that may inspire you go to: https://www.yourbestlifeinc.com/careerandlifelaunch

Also this is an article I wrote when my son graduated from college: that you may also enjoy: https://www.yourbestlifeinc.com/post/2017/06/05/letter-to-my-son-with-life-tips-for-all-graduates