Turning 21
2017 is the year I will turn 21 and become an adult. A full-fledged adult.
As a sophomore in SMU, this is also the year that I find myself scrambling to apply for a myriad of adult-related things - internships, interviews, and other great responsibilities. These experiences initially did come as quite a rude shock, but which I slowly got used to.
Unsurprisingly, I have realised that I miss my childhood. I suppose this is part of growing into adulthood. I miss the simplicity and innocence of life that came with being a child. I miss walking home eagerly from kindergarten to eat my grandmother’s food, and I miss sitting in front of our TV watching Hi-5. I miss playing hopscotch with my friends, and I miss reading Nancy Drew. I miss swimming with my family every weekend, going for McDonald’s breakfast on Sundays , and cycling around our neighbourhood.
Family outings to the park – a childhood memory
Growing older encompasses many things, and one important part I’m trying to learn is to not beat myself up for past mistakes and accept my journey as it is. I’m one to spend my time thinking a lot (way too much sometimes). And sometimes when I make mistakes and inevitably mess up, it affects me deeply. Even though I am trying my best most of the time, things do not always go the way I want them to. I never feel like I have it all together. But I’ve learnt that that’s okay. Everything is transient, and in life everything passes. Keeping that in mind is helpful when life throws you curveballs.
As much as how things aren’t rose-tinted all the time, I love being alive. There is something about seizing every moment and opportunity, knowing that you don’t have forever. It makes me get out of my seat instead of just waiting for things to happen to me. I want to get out there, discover new and exciting things, explore and have adventures. Personally, it is invigorating and what life is actually all about. An adventure.
TL; DR: Pull your weight, hustle hard, and enjoy the journey of life. The rest will fall into place.