23 things I learned at 23.

In a couple of weeks, I will be turning 24. 5 years since I entered University. 3 years since my 21st birthday (and entering adulthood). 1 year till the midlife crisis hits me.

I am not gonna lie. 2020 was an insane year for so many reasons. I experienced most, if not every emotion on the spectrum; happiness, sadness, fear, anger, and dread to name a few.

My internship at Walt Disney World had been cut short because of COVID. My graduation ceremony (the day I was looking forward to since I began University) was cancelled. Job searching amidst a global pandemic was stressful and anxiety-inducing for fresh graduates like myself. Plans to travel with my family and friends were abruptly cancelled overnight.

Despite its downsides, 23 was a challenging yet fruitful period for me.

January and February started off pretty well. I spent time upskilling myself in UI UX, caught up with friends, recorded singing covers, and spent quality time with my family before I left for Florida.

I was having the most magical and amazing time in Disney World, screaming my lungs out on Rock & Roller coaster at Hollywood studios, watching the fireworks at Magic Kingdom, sipping on my favourite Mango margarita at Animal Kingdom (shoutout to my roomie, Alex) and drinking around the world at Epcot (a Disney tradition that I highly recommend, hands down will go for round 2 when I get the chance to head back someday).

best 6 weeks of 2020 with new friends :)

Little did I know that COVID-19 had other plans for me. Disney announced that the program was cancelled and we had to head home, no matter what. With a heavy heart, I packed my belongings and boarded 3 full flights (filled with passengers in full PPE, with a few in transparent plastic goggles that resembled those I wore back in secondary school during our chemistry lab days hahaha) back to Singapore.

The remaining 9 months of 2020 consisted of 2 internships, deciding my career path (dang, this was tough — finally got an answer after months of exploring between client success, marketing, and product), upskilling myself in product design, attending online courses, and webinars on Zoom university, reading articles from senior product designers, building up my portfolio, job searching, preparing for interviews, exploring my newfound hobby in digital illustrations, honing my craft in singing, circuit-baking, exercising to maintain my sanity, trying my hand at writing and of course, placing more emphasis and time on self-care (especially vital during that insane period, for me at least).

April to September’s daily (work from home) situation

Looking back, the time off was a blessing.

It allowed me to recharge my batteries and use the time to stay current with industry/ UI UX trends. I took the opportunity to evaluate my career journey and make sure I was working towards my long-term goal of being a product designer.

Without the day-to-day hustle, I was able to be introspective and distill the lessons I’d taken away in previous internships, and start planning my intentions for the next. I also used the time to read up on the latest developments in design thinking and product design, and even took a couple of online courses in these spaces.

What initially seemed like a frustrating forced break ended up being a very positive period of time for me, and I was able to start my next chapter feeling inspired and refreshed.

Thank you for sticking with me till this point. Learning and upskilling is a never-ending process. Hence, I thought I share 23 things I’ve learned at 23. Still, am a work in progress :)

1. Do more of what you love. Do more of what makes you happy.
2. Nothing comes easy. Come up with a plan and work hard for whatever you want, be it career or personal goals.
3. Surround yourself with good vibes — people who give you constructive feedback and believe in you even when you do not believe in yourself.
4. Learning never stops. Keep upskilling and honing your craft.
5. Appreciate whatever you have. Be grateful for friends and family.
6. Saying no is not selfish. Taking care of yourself is key.
7. Celebrate even the smallest of achievements.
8. Speak now or forever hold your peace. Communication is key.
9. Enjoy the little things in life. Turn on the aroma diffuser before heading to bed. Sing in the shower. Drink soju or grapefruit tiger beer whenever you feel like it.
10. Do not worry about what others think. What matters most is how you view yourself.
11. Quantity over quality. Not everyone in your life is meant to stay, and that’s perfectly okay.
12. Smile more. Practice happiness.
13. Create your own path. You don’t have to conform to societal values or standards. You do you.
14. Not everyone is your cup of tea and vice versa. That’s totally fine.
15. Never ever give up. Tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
16. Time is precious. Respect others and their time as well.
17. Mental resilience is a key ingredient in success.
18. Don’t stop until you are 100% satisfied with where you are at now.
19. Life is a game of patience. Dream big, come up with a plan, work hard and repeat.
20. Be easy on yourself. Give yourself credit when due.
21. Do something you are passionate about. Long term satisfaction and fulfillment over short term gains. “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
22. Take things one step at a time. No point worrying too much about the future. Be present at the moment, enjoy the present.
23. Be kind, always. You never know what someone else is going through.
24. Bonus :)

Here’s to another year of growth, learning, and unlearning.

Thank you for stopping by! :)