Chase those Waterfalls

It's been a year since I graduated from University. When I ask people what they miss, it's usually the people, the space, and the ability to choose your schedule for the next 3 months. Thinking about it, I think it's the sense of stability, certainty of outcome, and predictability of what's next. Final destination? to graduate.

Now that I'm one year in, I realized that that was just the prelude of something much bigger, greater and better: reality.

Looking back - I would not trade what I am experiencing right now to 'those days' because this world outside of that bubble is way too raw, beautiful, and exciting despite its uncertainty and challenges. Like what? Well, it can shake your world and challenge several aspects of your life: your worldview, your confidence, your skills set, your knowledge basket to your own identity, personality, belief, and values. Metaphorically, it's a figurative waterfall. Life is a waterfall. Anything can happen.

That's the beauty of it. It can be scary but what you learn after every experience - good or bad - is priceless. So be a sponge & take it all in, my friends.

Chasing Waterfalls 101:

(1) Take the leap

Go beyond and innovate. Challenge yourself and the world around you. Go for the climb whether the trek feels like it is taking longer than you expect it to be - it's all about the journey. There will be many highs and lows because well, just because. Do not forget to look around you and to take your time. It is your pace - no one else's. There will be a time when you will reach a peak of a waterfall by the mountain.. when that happens, you will have the choice to take that leap. Take it.

If not, there are other options: Read (5)

(2) Go with the current

Love what you do - Social media tells us to do what we love but what if you don't know what you love? It's okay, it's most of us. Job hunting can be daunting after graduation but have patience, stay consistent with sending out applications, and be picky at a certain extent. What that last statement means is that if you know where your passion, strengths, and interests intersect, follow that route. Change is the only constant thing as we are told but I also found out that you can get used to change. Not in a way that you will know what will happen next rather it is the art of letting go to what could be to appreciating what is. Go where you feel the most alive.

(3) When you reach the bottom, don't forget to look at the rainbow/s

Celebrate wins and milestones - Time itself is not going any slower as you grow up. Being an adult requires several responsibilities, such as paying your bills, learning how to drive, aiming for promotion, taking extra classes either to increase knowledge or out of passion, moving out, planning out to travel the world, and everything else under that things-to-do umbrella. I hope that does not overwhelm you rather gives you a clear understanding that you must take small breaks to pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you put in. The least you can do is pause and go to that restaurant you have been wanting to go or watch that movie you have been waiting to see. Small things matter. The accomplishments you receive in every journey of your life's many chapters can only feel fulfilling if you have recognized that you deserve it.

For me, I take short walks in the park, read books, write my thoughts, journal what I am grateful for, have meaningful conversations with family and friends, play the keyboards, and listen to acoustic covers. These energize me and allows me to be more productive at work. Yay! win-win.

With that being said, also celebrate the wins of your family & friends. More wins!

(4) Take more leaps

Constant can be good but how can we enjoy the highs if we are afraid of falling. If you are standing by the cliff to wait for the "right time" but your gut is telling you that this is it, just jump! Time will pass and you will end up settling with just observing and not really experience what-could-have. If you have taken one leap, had a bad experience, and decided to just float around then what if your next jump would lead be better? Let uncertainty take you to places. Do not get attached to just one idea because there are many ways to take that leap and different waterfalls exposes you to a many views as well as introduce you to people of all backgrounds and stories to share.

(5) This is YOUR trek

Meaning? This is your life.

The reason why you would want to leap is because YOU want to. Know your intentions in making that change in your life, no matter how big or small that is. The "Why" in your decisions are very important. You know what battles you would want to fight for - so do not use other people's definition of what success (or happiness) means to you. There are other mountains to hike and waterfalls to chase so recognize that. With that being said, here are some general guidelines that help me with my daily interactions and challenges:

When to not make that change: to please other people, to prove your worth to someone, to feel accepted or belonged, or to reach societal standards

When to make that change: if it feels right to your soul, if you are curious to know what will happen, if you know that it will make you a better person, or if you have been thinking a lot about it

At the end of the day, there are several factors to consider but trust yourself and be accountable to the fact that when it feels right, you must go for it.

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You don't know what you don't know so that itself is the answer to your "what if's". The best part is you get share those stories to your fellow human beings so they would know that the waterfall isn't as scary as it seems and well.. that we are all in it together. Enjoy the ride. Life is way too beautiful to wait for whatever it is you're waiting for.

That's just my 5 cents just because they don't accept pennies nowadays. If you have any thoughts, I'd love to hear them! Cheerios.