It is hard to justifiably capture in words how transformative the past few years have been for me. I can’t say for sure now, but I guess most people feel that way when they look back, regardless of their age and stage in life.
When I look back at the person I was five years ago, I’m overcome by a mixture of embarrassment and amusement. I can proudly say, though, that I have no regrets. Well… that’s not entirely true; I do regret waking up in my bathroom tub with my comforter and pillow one crazy night, I regret some avoidable speeding tickets and surfacing 10 minutes after I had to be at work every Monday morning in the Summer of 2012. But, for the most part I don’t regret the big-ticket items. I was lucky to have loved and lost. Lucky to have worked for the kind of boss I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. Lucky to have been cheated on and lied to. Lucky to have had fair weather friends and stormy days.
The trials and tribulations we go through, the uphill paths that run for miles, do take their toll. They wear you out and tear you down, but, more than anything else, they prepare you for what lies ahead. They teach you to distinguish between good and bad. They reveal those who are yours no matter which way the wind blows. They make you resilient and capable. As I prepare for the journey ahead of me, I feel myself let go of the weight I carried for longer than I should have.
On one hand, being an adult makes life far more complex; in the sense of a strict routine, paying bills and planning for the future. On the other, adulthood makes life simple; in that there is far less of a need to toil and struggle for the social approval and acceptance. Much like a windshield wiper, age and the wisdom it brings along, clarifies who and what is important. I may still never know my eventual destination; but now I can clearly enjoy the journey.
Youtopia 
Hello Pia:
I guess in a way even our regrets shape us continually, sculpting us into stronger beings. Seen from the lens of the future, they may even be a blessing. Regret was undoubtedly one of the the best teachers I’ve ever had – strict and unforgiving, making me stronger with each lesson. I do believe life will get tougher as the hill steepens and new challenges will present themselves, inevitably bringing more regrets – but befriending them and learning them can make them work to our advantage.
Great post – Godspeed on your journey ahead.
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Hello Pia:
I guess in a way even our regrets shape us continually, sculpting us into stronger beings. Seen from the lens of the future, they may even be a blessing. Regret was undoubtedly one of the the best teachers I’ve ever had – strict and unforgiving, making me stronger with each lesson. I do believe life will get tougher as the hill steepens and new challenges will present themselves, inevitably bringing more regrets – but befriending them and learning them can make them work to our advantage.
Great post – Godspeed on your journey ahead.
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Hey Pia, nice post. On hind sight we should regret nothing. As you say, every adversity makes you that much stronger. School, university were bubbles that cocooned you and made you ready to face the world when the wool comes unraveled and the gloves come off. So forge on, explore and remember, that you will traverse this road but once. Do it bravely and don’t forget to write about it again and again. God bless!
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