ON BEING 24

Since my last proper entry before the hiatus was On Turning 24, I thought I'd come up with a post about being 24 since a) I've been MIA for the most part of the year and b) I'm turning 25(!!!) in a couple of days.

Aside from gaining a few lbs, I was also able to gain some major mileage on my passport. In 2013, I was able to visit 10 cities, including my dream city - Paris. Traveling on your own (not necessarily alone) makes you feel grown up.  Be it saving up for your holiday, or creating an itinerary for your exploration, or simply actively participating in the day to day decision making slash itinerary revising; traveling gives you a sense of independence that can only be achieved by a certain degree of maturity.  At the same time, travel refuels your youth. As you expand your horizons, you begin to see more and more wonders, curiosities, possibilities. Traveling reminds me that there is so much beauty in the world - in places and in those who inhabit it - and that there's still so much to see. That idea alone is enough invigoration for me, especially right after hitting some major bumps. 

Needless to say, 2013 was also the year I faced a bunch of curveballs. I thought I'd be prepared for "waves, both big and small" but if there's one thing I should've learned by now is that life will always surprise you. Yes, I knew as a fact that things wouldn't always go my way, but the way it did/not was just, well, surprising. If you're curious, I've documented most of last year in my side project: The Singleish Diaries.

24, like all the years that have been and that will be, had its fair share of highs and lows. At the end of the day, it always depends on which side we choose to focus on - the greys or the silver linings. I choose to see the silver lining in the year that was. :)