A month of summer has passed, and as I speak to my friends, they have been sharing their exciting college visits, prepping for college applications, and making decisions about their majors. Meanwhile, I am on an “extended” break, engaging in various activities. After school ended, I had the pleasure of going to both Pismo and Yosemite with my family. Following that, in early June, my family and I traveled to India for our annual trip. During this time, I helped my mom set up my grandma’s home and took the opportunity to visit our relatives in other cities. These were all activities I had planned for the summer.

While I genuinely enjoyed learning from all these experiences, doubt has crept into my mind over the past few weeks. I wonder whether this doubt stems from procrastination or a fear of the unknown outcomes related to college selection. Despite this doubt, I choose to ignore it. Every day, my mood swings unpredictably, and each night, my mom reminds me in various ways to be in the present moment and to not regret the decisions already made.

Today, I find myself back at my desk after concluding most of my social visits and travels, embarking on the next chapter of my professional career—college. It has become evident to me that life is not solely about adhering to the timelines set by school or work, nor should it be heavily influenced by the actions of others. Instead, we must trust our plans and believe in them. While we can consciously make corrections, we should not allow external influences to completely alter our decisions reactively or emotionally, as doing so would only amplify our doubts and drain our energy.

The core lesson learned is that much like a car consumes the most fuel during frequent stops and starts, we expend unnecessary energy when we constantly interrupt and restart our progress. Instead, we should strive for a steady rhythm, embracing flow of life’s journey.

With this newfound perspective, I am beginning to understand that each step forward in life holds significance. By appreciating the present moment and finding meaning in each stage of our journey, we can prevent the constant stops and starts draining our energies unknowingly. The focus should be on continuous movement toward our personal goals and aspirations, which propels us forward. I wholeheartedly embrace the understanding that life is not bound by typical timelines but fueled by our continuous drive and determination to forge our unique path. Hope everyone is having a good summer and thank you all for helping me bring my life into focus.