(A writing that has been sitting on the draft for months. Certain writing is write and publish in an instant, but, many are write, read, edit, leave, return, re-read, re-write, until it finally feels right, publish, if it’s not, wait and see without deadline). This one was written in May 2025.
This month is full of new first-time .
The first week was spent finally and officially starting the new voluntary job as a certified listener in a mental health organization. It was quite above my expectations in terms of the work. I didn’t expect a lot of young people really contact the admin to really talk to someone about their problems. I filled out the schedule on Friday, and I was assigned a client in every schedule that I registered. Won’t go into details since I still don’t know much how it will turn out.
The second week was spent with countless meetings and researching for a new project in the tiny business. It still feels unbelievable to finally find the courage and execute what has been on the mind and heart for few years but too scared, too lazy, and prefer staying in comfort zone and enjoying status quo.
The third week was spent by returning to an exercise class after six years. It’s been a while since I feel like I want to return to a group class, but I have been reluctant. I just want the exercise, not really to socialize. A small group which is not loud. Funnily, I really found what I exactly what the heart long for. A small group of maximum six person, no music, or very quiet instrumental one, good instructors with soothing voice, movements that I really need in this old age, and no unnecessary social pressure. Everyone really just come, train, and go. Exactly what I really need.
After one trial, I signed up right away and have been regularly coming.
The fourth and last week was filled with some good news from family. A cousin that I have been working with since last year for the university entrance national exam, sent not only one, but two screen-captured of results with congratulations on the top of the page.
I rant a lot about this in another platform.
The little girl was also attending the Dokter Kecil inauguration as one of the teams chosen from her school. A bit out of topic, but she recently got 10 in her Bahasa Indonesia test, which for me (and us?), was a huge milestone. Coming back from London with close to zero Bahasa Indonesia ability and enrolled in a national school that uses full Bahasa Indonesia, one question keeps lingering over and over again: should we move to another school? when things feel really hard.
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Update : The volunteer has been a good place to learn a lot of new things.
The tiny business new project slowly turns well. Still keep trying again and again as the past eight years have been.
The exercise class suits me well and adapt it into a regular schedules. Alhamdulillah.
A new year doesn’t necessarily mean doing something new. Sometimes what we need is to improve what has been done so that it becomes better.
Longevity doesn’t need constant novelty.
It needs regular maintenance and consistency.
Bonne Année à vous tous!🥳
A Penny for My Pensieve 