Happy college graduation, and welcome back home! It happens. These days, more than ever: "5.9 million Americans between 25 and 34 years of age-nearly a quarter of whom have bachelor's degrees-live with their parents, a significant increase from 4.7 million before the recession," according to the WSJ.

But hey, there's no need to let this "get you down" or "cramp your style." These are ostensibly the best years of your life! You can enjoy them no matter how depressing the circumstances.

  • Remember, macroeconomic forces far beyond your control are limiting your employment options and saddling you with crushing debt. Having to move back home was not your fault. Unless it was.
  • Set clear boundaries to protect your privacy. Don't let this new living situation interfere with your ability to have fun when and how you please. We're speaking to your parents, here. It's their house.
  • Keep yourself busy, by building your own entrance and exit to the house as well as an elaborate facade outside of your room sufficient to convince potential romantic partners that this is simply an odd little apartment that you're renting.
  • It's tempting to drown your sorrows in drugs and alcohol. Just make it all disappear for a little while. Sounds nice. Real nice.
  • Don't despair, no matter how warranted that feeling may be.

The good thing is that, in a very real sense, you and your parents are in this together. You both have a common goal: to get you, their pride and joy, the hell out of their house. Having you at home is no fun for them or their bank account either, no matter what they say through a forced smile!

So grit your teeth, tolerate it as best you can, and get out there and find yourself a job! I hope this has made you feel just a little bit more positive about your predicament. Before you ask, we're not hiring.

[WSJ, photo via Shutterstock]