23 Lessons that Guimaras taught me about Adulting

“New York Time’s Best Selling Author. Graduate of Master Studies. Or survive another Bachelor’s Degree. Own a vehicle. Settle down. This is how I see myself five years from now.”

Sadly, none of these is close to my current state. Poor old self. HAHA. I chanced upon these answers on an overly-used rhetoric question posted by our professor in college about how we envision ourselves five years after graduation. Instead of pursuing one of those teenage dreams, I am now at Iloilo airport at four in the morning, wondering what has become of my life. Several days before my twenty-third birthday I decided to go solo again. This time, with no particular itinerary in mind. No goals. No concrete destination. No expectations.

I found myself getting inside a v-hire bound for SM Iloilo then riding a jeepney going to Parola. By six in the morning, I was at 7/11, hungry, sleepy, and still uncertain of what was installed for the day. Then I bought a ticket bound for the island across the developing city – Guimaras. And for the first time that day, after sitting in between a child playing with a unicorn and an old woman holding dearly her gallons of tuba, I figured out what I wanted to do – to let life take its course. And in that solo adventure, the following dawned to me.

1. Things don’t usually follow according to your timeline. 
2. Some things are meant to be done alone.  
3. Fewer friends, lesser conflicts.  
4. Young enough to make lifetime decisions; old enough to be held responsible for the mess.  
5. The best things in life come free to us.  
6. If you can’t beat them, try harder.  
7. Keep it slow, but steady.  
8. There’s nothing wrong with being single.  
9. Love when you are ready, not when you are lonely. 
10. You don’t know everything. In fact, you’ll never know everything. But make the most of what you know. 
11. Life beats in the same rhythm: you try, you fail, you learn, you change, you grow. 
12. The roads we walk have demons beneath; sometimes, we are the demons ourselves. 
13. Everyone wants happiness. No one wants pain. But you can’t have rainbow without a little rain.  
14. Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go. 
15. Higher altitude makes life less complicated. This is why mountain is love. 
16. Add some chaos to your life. 
17. Bravery is doing something without fear but far braver are those who face their fears.  
18. Not because something sounds crazy it already means that it isn’t true.  
19. No matter what the situation is, never let your emotions over power your intelligence. 
20. You’re free to speak your mind. But everybody is not obliged to hear it. 
21. Sometimes, the best reply is not to reply at all. 
22. There is no assurance that life will get better. And it’s okay. 
23. Have a little faith. Even a small ounce will do. Just have it. 

By two in the afternoon I decided to go back to the port and head to Iloilo to visit Miag-ao Church. I didn’t try island hopping and there were a lot of places that I missed upon visiting the island; but who cares? Guimaras taught me the last and probably the most important lesson to every traveler – to travel not for traveler’s sake. Traveling is not a competition. I am at my own pace. As one of my favorite blogger says it, “The journey to finding yourself and growing up is harsh, painful, exhilarating, heartbreaking and confusing all at the same time. There’s never a certain answer. Nobody’s got life figured out. Sit back. Relax. Enjoy. Be a child. Make beautiful mistakes. Pick yourself up from adversary. Be a person full of love. And live like every day is the first day of your life.”

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Planning for a solo backpacking or group trip to Guimaras? Feel free to contact Kuya Felix 0909-686-5229 or 0909-881-1250. Island land trip range from P800 – P1,500 depending on the package. For details, send a private message or contact me via Facebook or Instagram. :D :D :D