(Save and) Spend —
Allow room to indulge in a bit of materialism: save up for the beautiful tangible things in life - especially the ones that stir up intangible feelings in your heart, like a Yamaha R15, a spontaneous travel ticket bought on the day of the flight, a picture book, expensive wine just because you can, a shimmery glittery dress you’ll probably only wear once, a ‘leap’ tattoo near the left scapula in calligraphy font, but remember that living life in excess is so often misconstrued as living life to the fullest.Learn —
Start on my sociology major, dabble in a bit of philosophy and literature, pour myself into essays and research and allow myself to be consumed by my occasional (but fond, nonetheless) love for academia and structure, listen with interest and passion, self-declare breaks on the days I know I’m not in school for the right reasons (aka, simply to get ahead of the rat race), consult professors and tutors, try to bridge the cold indifference of university by looking for warmth in people who are known for their zest for teaching, “don’t let the bastards get you down”.Grow —
Find time: for a cup of coffee at the perpetually packed Starbucks, to discuss love, philosophy, morals - anything unrelated to studies, to regain that hint of faith in Faith, to read both classics and contemporary literature, to do a copywriting internship and allow my abilities to flourish under supervisors, to communicate with people I’ve shut off for long enough, for an independent travel trip to lose myself (and if I’m ever so lucky, to find myself).Appreciate —
The smallest of details in the fabric of life: the caress of the morning breeze, the generosity of the occasional stranger on the public transport, the time a friend stays back with you just so you don’t have to study alone, the pat on the back when words aren’t enough, the simple but beautiful fact of waking up every morning knowing I have another day to go (even if I might suffer from bouts of wanderlust, know that I cannot be more thankful to be in this country right now), the family who is always there despite being blocked off by the walls I put up, the handful of people who make school, life and love everything the books describe as magic.
