Three years ago, I began a journey to start a new life and redefine myself. Right from the time I could differentiate right from wrong, I had always been protected by my parents, leading me to wonder if I could ever make it on my own. So leaving the warmth of their home was both exciting and terrifying for me. It was the first time I had to face the world head on, on my own, and I was so determined to prove that I could succeed. Of course, I knew it would be difficult, but I was ready to take on the challenge.
What actually made this transition especially significant was the realization of how lucky I was to have such loving parents. They were great at caregiving. Not just for me but for my other siblings too. They had always given us everything we could possibly need. That was the reason I wanted to feel independent and create my own path in life.
To be clear, it wasn't that I was ungrateful to my parents. No, I wasn't; I just felt the need to explore life on my own terms. I felt it was time to become my own man and provide for myself. So I decided to take that leap of faith with the clear knowledge that it would be scary, but deep down I knew it was what I wanted to do.
For a long time, I'd thought about what it would be like to start fresh, far from home, far from the comforts of my parents. A new life with just me It was a mixed feeling of excitement and terror.
I can't forget that day—the first day of living alone. It finally came as I stood on the cusp of my new life. I had left the familiar comforts of home behind and was now facing the daunting reality of a new place. New people, new streets—everything was unfamiliar. A surge of emotions swept over me. Joy at the chance to build a new life, with sprinkles of fear at the unknowns that lay ahead. It felt like a storm had taken hold of my mind.
The first few weeks were a little blurry for me. A mix of new experiences and challenges. The easy rhythm my old life had was quickly replaced by the chaotic unpredictability of life in a new environment. Everything was literally unfamiliar, from the noise and bustle of the city to the faces in the crowd. The first time I went grocery shopping on my own in a busy market, it was like I was being thrown into a sea of chaos, struggling to stay afloat. 😂
But amidst that chaos, there was this liberating sense of responsibility I got, which I've so craved for. I made every choice for myself; the triumphs and setbacks were a direct result of my choices. And I loved every bit of it.
I also realized that one of the biggest changes in my new life was loneliness. Yeah, I always thought of independence as something empowering, but I never knew the isolation it could bring. The days of the familiar sounds of family life were gone. The early morning prayers we did together were gone. Instead, I was faced with my own thoughts and the silence they created.
I also felt that feeling of self-reliant; it was an empowering and eye-opening experience. I realized what my parents felt whenever they said we had to manage because there was no money. I got to understand what Dad meant by always saying:
"Son, being economical is no disgrace" .
But despite the many challenges, there were also moments I had undiluted joy. I made new friends, each one with a unique and beautiful personality. People who helped me through the difficult times. People I shared experiences with. Experiences that gave me a sense of connection and belonging. They were like the lifeblood of my new life—my direction in a new world.
One other thing I learned is that time has a funny way of distilling life's most important lessons. Three years have passed since I embarked on this journey to a new start, and it's been an adventure. I've learned so much about myself and the world around me. I've also discovered that family is more than just a physical location; it's our state of being and a bond that cannot be broken by distance. It's a deep sense of connection that can't be broken by space, a love that knows no bounds.