I finished my exams today. It felt great, having studied consistently for half a year now, but afterwards a part of me asked what now?

When you focus so much energy on something, it does some interesting things. It might bring stress and anxiety, sure, but it also gives provides guidance and a mission. The worst parts of a journey beat not having it at all.

When it’s over, it’s easy to feel lost. Empty.

From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows:

etterath

the feeling of emptiness after a long and arduous pro- cess is finally complete—having finished school, recovered from surgery, or gone home at the end of your wedding— which leaves you relieved that it’s over but missing the stress that organized your life into a mission.