Wow, that title sounds so profound. Be warned, I’m not! Haha. But then, there it is, my age. Declared for the world to see. Since I can’t do anything to fight it anyway, I’m owning it! Now, there’s lesson number 1. Let me right that down in a hopefully succinct list.
1. Love yourself. There’s no use trying to be someone else because you’re never going to be the best at it. Stick with yourself. Improve your skills and do what you love to do. That’s just that. And because I’m trying to love myself completely, there goes my age at the title. I’m still a little uncomfortable about it but I’m getting there. 
2. Learn. I cannot stress this enough. I know good looks and hot bods may get people somewhere in this life but in my books, even if you have a bajilion (kids, that’s not a real word, but watch Happy Endings for context 
) amount of money, you don’t get to act like you’re somebody unless you impress me with your wit and intelligence. With so many interesting things in this world, I do not get how one would not want to know some of it.
3. Have compassion and humility. As they say, beauty comes from within, but I believe, so is peace. I strongly suggest watching documentaries or better yet, immersion to the impoverished areas in our country. Learn to be involved, or at least, aware. It’s through compassion that I believe makes people more human. It made me feel like I actually have a significant role to play in this world. And well, humility is good in order to never stop trying and to avoid being complacent. It is good to put in mind and remember that although we are better than a lot of people, a lot of people are better than us as well. Start by being considerate of your helpers at home and servers in restaurants or shopping stores.
4. Don’t get pressured by social standards. I know, we often hear that there’s power in numbers, but for me, that’s just that. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re right. At my age, people left and right ask me when I will get married. Truth be told, I don’t have a clue. But honestly, I don’t mind not being married until I’m ready, even if that will take a while (or really, at all, since I’m not one to have a shot at normalcy anyway ). I would like to think that marriage is for all eternity and I do not want to mess that up. Then again there’s a do-over called annulment, but that makes things messy. What I have to work on is being pressured (by myself) to have kids because I want to have my own. Yes, I know, it’s like getting a rock and hitting yourself with it. I’m starting to think that adoption may really be for me, after all, there are a lot of kids without parents out there (sorry, blabbing).
5. Be independent, accountable and responsible. I’ve had strong opinions about people being independent, particularly women. The readiness in getting married will include me owning my own flat and being able to sustain myself and soon to be kids, alone. Even if I won’t be, I just want that satisfaction that I can do it all on my own. Not meaning to sound like a cynic, but that is also a good contingency plan, don’t you think? With independence comes accountability and responsibilities, which sadly, are parts of being an adult.
6. Learn to prioritize and just make things happen. Time is such a valuable intangible thing that we have in this life. With such a hectic schedule we all have daily, we lose sight of what is really important. Spend time with your family, treasure moments with friends because, this is a cliché but it can not get any more true, soon enough all those will be over. Manage time well and do what you love to do. Do plan but execute more, it’s one of the ways the world can make something out of your contribution.
7. Identify people whose opinions matter to you. If I have listened to everything that people said about me, I would have gone crazy by now (okay, no objections, I’m not crazy! Haha). People will say so many things that will make you go from devastated to excited in a matter of seconds but it is best that you have your core that you know has nothing but your best interest. They are the ones to whom you should listen to. Aside from them, and yourself, no one else’s opinion should matter.
8. Learn to let go. I’m a control freak. There. I said it. I like having a plan. I like knowing what I’ll do next week, tomorrow or even later. I like having an overview of the things that involve me. I’m crazy like that (uh-oh, maybe you guys are right). Slowly, I’m learning on how to just go with the flow because anxiety of not knowing brings stress, thus toxins, thus speeding up the process of getting old (i.e. wrinkles).
9. Friends, come and go… and that’s okay. Just treasure the ones who stuck it out with you. As I’ve read before, people leave and stay in our lives for a reason. Just let your friends be and hopefully, they will let you be. It is just sometimes, people just grow apart.
10. Know your stand, stand your ground. This one for me is difficult as ambiguity exists just about everywhere. We live in a world that’s neither black nor white. Oftentimes, questions are not answerable by just yes or no. But at the end of the day, I learn to decide based on what my conscience can take and what will bring me peace of mind. Once I know my stand, now the second phrase is fairly easy for me to do.
And because this is a travel blog, for those with wandering souls and curious minds, I say, travel far and wide… and with full abandon! I did a semi-abandonment the last time I went on a long haul flight. When I came back, I had no job! It was slightly exhilarating but since I am a planner, I had anxiousness written all over my face. But I’m glad I did it.
Lastly, travel now. Need I say more? Really?
