As the decade inches towards its inevitable end, it presents an interesting opportunity to put some of my thoughts down. The 2010’s have been a wild ride for me, I literally lived through at least one Apocalypse scare (anyone remember 2012? That was a load of fun). I’ve had so many kinds of experiences that looking back, I have no idea how it all happened. Admittedly there were as many sour memories and experiences as there were great ones, but I don’t really have anything that I really really want to go back in time to change. I feel that all these experiences have been enlightening to me regardless of their intent and impact.
In the 2010’s I went from a teenager who didn’t quite have a clue as to what he was doing when he decided to pursue his higher education and was pretty much winging it the whole way, into the middle(ish) 20s young adult that I am today, and really, I still don’t think I have the foggiest idea of what I am doing at times, just that I got better at going with whatever happens I suppose.
In the 2010’s I learned a lot more about myself, and I feel that was the biggest takeaway for me. I also managed to push myself and achieve things that I never imagined I would have been able to do. I managed to train and commit myself to play rugby at one of the higher levels of the game in Malaysia, I managed to play the game in Indonesia as well. I’ve met so many great people while playing the game, and I’ve learned so much from it. Rugby has been one of the most important teachers I’ve had in my life especially when it comes to heart. In the 2010’s I’ve come back from injuries big and small and I really honestly think that it has helped shape my attitude towards coming back from setbacks and failures.
In the 2010’s, I also have done quite a number of things that have helped formed the way I look at things. I’ve been an insurance agent, a door to door salesman, I’ve tried running my own business, I’ve had a go at my own clothing line, Organized some slick events, Debated my ass off, Split myself into many pieces trying to juggle a personal life, a social life, my studies, and all the other things I wanted to do. I’ve tried out things and figured out that I am not too great at some stuff (or rather, pretty horrible at them), and also found some things that despite not being too great at doing, I just enjoyed my time doing it.
Of course, no decade is complete without romance, drama relating to the people around you and other people matters. Hey, I discovered how it was like to be loved, cherished, appreciated, and of course I also had the opportunity to experience heartbreak, being cheated on, being under appreciated and taken advantage of. When it comes to friendships, I’m blessed to have a solid network of friends around me, who seem to have no problem with the stop start nature of how I socialize and I am glad for it. I am really appreciative of them and all my other friends who have been around me and helped prop me up when I was down. I’ve also been let down and disappointed in the people around me, ranging from those that never keep their word, to those who borrow money and put off paying it back with no guilt. And all that jazz.
I can’t talk about relationships and the people around me without mentioning the fact that I have learned so much from my peers, my bosses, the people around me who have the same pains and the same passions. This is especially true when I made the transition from all that I did prior into a pathway which was primarily to do with data and technology. I didn’t have the same starting point as a lot of people, and I am really glad for the people around me to have helped me grow along the way, as much as I am conscious that without my own effort, nothing could happen, I am also aware enough to say that without these people, I would almost definitely not be near my where I am, and I am glad to say that with them I will continue to grow fast.
I’ve also discovered throughout the decade, that sometimes it’s just about incrementally growing. It’s crazy how little I realized its impact when I was younger. It doesn’t matter in what sense you make the incremental gains, if you started saving and investing at the start of the 2010’s, you’d have seen a little mountain at the end of it. If you focused on learning and growing your knowledge, just compare yourself to the you of 2009/2010 and you’d realize so much has changed even when you didn’t feel anything change. Even when it comes to fitness (this one I fail regularly), if you make incremental progress, it’s still progress. You get better, you get stronger, even in small increments. It doesn’t matter how small a step you take, as long as you take it, as often as you can. Time will show you what you deserve.
I honestly think the decade has gifted me with so much to take away, so much for me to look back and learn from, things to do, and things to make sure I never do again. I found out more about the people I can put my trust in, those that I should never turn my back to, and the people you can only trust to do certain things, and expecting too much is just a pain on yourself.
Honestly, I could go on and on about the past decade, but as we enter the new decade, I’m happy to say that I am in a loving relationship. That I have sort of found a direction. That I’ve committed of growing a bit better every day in one way or the other. And that I really should get back in shape.
Thank you everyone for being a part of my life this past decade, whether you have given me great memories or horrible ones. I hope that the future brings the best for both you and I, whether it may be for us to stay in touch or for us to never speak again.
Thanks 2010s, Let’s see what the 2020s has to offer !
