Looking Back 👀

I’m sitting in the dark with only my laptop screen illuminating my face. I know it’s not great for my eyes, but sometimes, being in the dark helps me think better. Plus, there’s no one around to distract me, so I can concentrate on what matters. But let’s set my point aside for a moment.

Have you ever looked back at old pictures, letters, or notebooks from your youth? I sure have, and it’s easy to get lost in nostalgia, just like endlessly scrolling through TikTok videos. Speaking of which, I used to have TikTok, but that is time I will never get back. Anyway, I started writing about something, but I got sidetracked when I revisited my old Medium posts from five years ago. Yes, I’ve been away from this platform for over a year; it’s tough to juggle so many things with only 24 hours in a day. Ever wish you could do it all? Now, back to those old letters and notes. I couldn’t help but check which article received the most applause. I thought it would be one of my design-related pieces, but to my surprise, it was an article titled ‘Holiday Rush is over, focus on 2018.’ I had to reread it and wondered, ‘Is this a Christmas shopping list?’

Well… no it was not…

This serves as a timeless reminder: never give up, assess your surroundings, and create the right environment. These principles still apply today. I won’t sugarcoat it; it required effort, but it was worth it. There’s a word often forgotten these days, and it’s ‘patience.’ In case you’re wondering, here’s the meaning when you type it into Google:

pa·tience
/ˈpāSH(ə)ns/
noun
noun: patience

1. 1.
2. the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
3. “you can find bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross”

Mahalo Google, can be helpful. It is a noun that means the ability to accept, and indeed that capacity lies within us and determines the direction we choose. As mentioned earlier, it’s about enduring without becoming angry or choosing to get angry. Personally, I prefer not to let anger get the best of me. When we’re consumed by anger, our ability to think clearly can be compromised. Sometimes we just act completely stupid (I know I’ve done it).

Over these past five years, I’ve evolved and become a different person than I was in 2018. I’ve come to understand my superpowers, though they may not be of the Superman variety, they’re still pretty remarkable. Have you ever considered what your superpower might be? I’ve got a few of them, and I use them for good (cue superhero music). I just couldn’t resist!

Knowing yourself and knowing what’s your surrounds will make you a better you, because you know how “you” tick. Since 2018 I’ve learned various lessons about life:

1. Being a parent is one of the most difficult jobs there is
2. Learn to relax or not worry when things don’t go you way
3. I’ve learned to speak up more for myself
4. Have more energy, because I get more sleep (well maybe not tonight)
5. Be happy with what I have
6. Don’t let anyone tell me I can't do something

I believe you understand where I’m coming from. Most of my time has been dedicated to my family and career, but I also earned my second master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). You might think it’s a bit unusual, but it’s something I was passionate about and wanted to pursue to keep learning. After all, the world is constantly evolving, and I want to keep up with the changes as much as possible.

I made it, my HCI degree, took me 3 years

Considering all the changes in my life, I’m pretty certain there will be more to come in the next five years. Who knows, maybe I’ll decide to go back to school for a PhD or perhaps another master’s degree? But for now, I’ll focus on a few more goals I have in mind and keeping my family on track. You know how it goes, especially with those little humans who sometimes think they know everything. I’m content with where I am for now (for the next month). And always remember, take a good look within, because you’ve got superpowers too — you just have to dig a little to find them.

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