Take time off

To gain back a better perspective or yourself take time off and do these things:-

1. Mingle with like-minded people

2. Learn to pause and appreciate things around you

3. Disassociate yourself from people with bad influences

4. Read self-help books to help you find your own individuality

5. Spend time alone to get a better idea of who you really are

6. Find out your interest and do it.

When I graduated I take 8 months holidaying. I was not in a rush to find a job because I was mentally , emotionally and physically exhausted. I remember that time; I could not even clench my fist tightly. I basically run out of energy and I have spent my last strength to finish my schooling years up to the end with much effort. To be honest, I found my university years apart from the life outside of studies were quite demanding. In fact, I had contemplated to quit at my third and fourth year with less and less enthusiasm towards the end of my semester. I just wanted to finish it off. I was not proud of feeling that way because I did choose my course. I just thought that I was not playing the game the way I want to. I lost interest and that was the reason my strength and energy drained in alarming rate.

So it was a nice break to be finally home and enjoy my life once again. I figured, it was the right time for me to consider my career path regardless of what major I took at the university. I also needed sometime to organize my thoughts after years of dedicating myself to studying and being away from family.

It was time to lay back and recuperates. But I really liked my time off. I discovered a lot of things about myself that I have long forgotten. Thankfully I met a like-minded friend who reminded me of what were things that once have been a part of me. He tapped that curiosity in me and he let me back to get hold of my fun side. He let me saw the other side of the world that I have passed and he let me enjoyed the beauty of things that I too have passed. I was too invested in my emotional turmoil that I was not experiencing the simple pleasure the mother earth readily offered.

I realized again my love of books, my fascination with arts and the joy of participating rather than being the spectators. I realized that I was not weird and the things that I enjoyed were shared by other like-minded people. It was a relief to know that I really do not need to become someone else because being me was better. I found me in having a like-minded friend. I could not be happier to let go of me who has been trying to create a different individual. I really meant to say that because the first thing I noticed when I looked myself in front of the mirror then was a reflection of a person I could not associate myself with.

It was good to be back and be able to pick up all the pieces of my shredded self. By then I was determined to get back on my own two feet and become more me. All of this realization only came up once I disassociated myself from other people in a sense that I do not want to project a person based on their idea. You know, you tend to lose yourself when you try to fit in with a group of friends or try to please your loved ones when it is absolutely detrimental to your being.

The first thing I do to reconnect with my old self and to gain better insight of my individuality was by reading again books that helped me finding the route. I began to go back to the library and I read books non-stop especially self-help books. It’s only sad I never thought of reading non-academic books way back in university. If I did so, perhaps I would be able to recharge myself ever y now and then. It really helps to read books.

I started to sketch here and there just to remind me that I once admired arts that I liked to create it with my own hands.

I looked at the contents of my wardrobe and packed everything that I thought do not describe me.

I send letters to friend just to say hi and wish them happiness.

I went out, get scared in the process of trying new things and laughed out loud at the silliest mistakes.

I took driving class and this time passed the test.

I found back time to patch things up with all the members in my family and I took time to care for my ailing grandmother.

Needless to say, taking time off is the best thing that ever happened to me. It allowed me to gain a better perspective of myself and the goal I would like to pursue. It also helped me to find and to love myself back.

If you are tired, confused, not sure of who you are anymore, take time off.