Iamsuperhuman

Friday, November 29, 2024

Four Years of Growth Posted at November 29, 2024 0 comments (+)

Hey Journal,

Wow, time really does fly. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years already since I came to the Maldives. How have these years shaped me? Am I still the same person I was back then? Honestly, I think this place has definitely changed me in more ways than I realized.

I have so many memories, stories, and experiences from these past four years. I’m truly grateful for everything—the ups and downs, and for facing my fears and struggles when I first moved here. It feels like just yesterday when it all began, and in the blink of an eye, four years have flown by.

I feel at home now—Maldives has truly become my home, even though a part of me still longs for Singapore. What’s strange is that I don’t feel the same way about the Philippines, my birthplace. I spent so many years there, but it doesn’t give me the sense of comfort or belonging that I’ve found here.

Whenever I visit the Philippines, I miss my family deeply—my mom, my siblings, my nephews, and nieces. I treasure every moment with them, but I can’t shake the feeling of being a stranger. The streets, the familiar places, and even the memories feel distant, as if I’ve outgrown that part of my life. It’s a bittersweet feeling, knowing I’ll always love my family and the good memories from home, but realizing that my heart has found its home somewhere else.

These past four years have been incredibly significant in shaping the person I am today. They’ve taught me to be tough, to look at life from a broader perspective, and to accept that I’m not perfect—and never will be—and that’s okay. I’ve learned to embrace defeat and failure because that’s how life is meant to be.

Some people might be lucky enough not to go through the struggles I’ve faced, but I feel fortunate in my own way. Those experiences taught me resilience, humility, and the value of growth. They’ve helped me understand myself better and appreciate life, not for its perfection, but for its lessons. I’ve come to realize that every setback carries the seed of wisdom, and for that, I am grateful.

The past four years have been filled with dreams and plans—so many of them—but life didn’t always turn out the way I hoped. At first, it was hard to accept, but along the way, life taught me something invaluable, to go with the flow. That simple mindset became the answer to so many of my worries, sleepless nights, and moments when I felt trapped by overthinking.

Looking back, I realize how much I’ve overcome, and that’s something I’m proud of. Through it all, God was there, protecting me in ways I didn’t see at the time. It wasn’t always obvious, but He reminded me to stay grounded, to keep my faith strong, and to trust in His plan. Those moments of struggle turned into lessons that strengthened me, and I’m grateful for the protection and guidance that brought me to where I am now.

Labels: expat, experience, maldives