Last week, I had a chance to catch up with Peter. Finding a time that works for both of us was very hard (yes, one that doesn’t interfere with our important lie-on-bed-doing-nothing me time & conserve-our-energy evenings. Adult friendship is hard, man). But our banter turned out to be very nice and fulfilling.

One question that popped up in our conversation was, “what’s next?” And answering that was not a piece of cake for me.

Love life-wise, I just moved in with my partner, and it’s quite a big thing for us. For now, I think unpacking the layers of living together would be enough in our hands. It is, truly. First, we are currently learning how to feel comfortable doing our own things in the presence of each other. It was quite a challenge since we are so used to the concept of dedicating our time to one another when we meet. But ultimately, we have to be able to sit comfortably in the background of each other’s lives when time calls. It feels nice, sharing the same space while focusing on our things- but also weird just because we still feel like we’re abandoning the other person (I know, call us lovebirds all you want). I think this is something we’re currently learning in terms of cohabiting. Pretty sure there are still billions of layers to unpack.

Dance-wise, I feel like I’m starting to get into the groove of teaching and doing more with my dance again. I took a step away in the middle of the year because I wanted to focus on my new job. Now that I’ve settled in and have more energy, I could do more with my dance. That being said, however, I haven’t really sat down, reconnected, and recalibrated with myself regarding my next steps or what I want to focus on. I only know that after my tiny reroute, I still want to pursue growth and explore more avenues in dance.

I think part of the reason why this question is more challenging for me to answer now is because of a shift in my view towards life. I do acknowledge that, albeit still having the drive to pursue milestones and thrive in the different aspects of my life (and constantly not feeling enough in the process), I have been learning to calm down a little bit – thanks to Edwin. Edwin’s being and presence in my life have been teaching me that I am enough just as I am. That it’s okay for me to just be. As hard as it is for me to digest, I think I am slowly getting better at believing that. I hope I make him feel the same way too.

I want to emulate this and keep my fire going at the same time so that, at the end of this whole journey, I can say that I’ve given my all- and whatever the outcome is will be irrelevant because I am, have always been, and will always be enough as I am. Such a beautiful gift. I feel so privileged to have this man in my life.

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I tried using WordPress’ new AI feature to alter my writing above and holy-moly, I feel like my writing above is a baby’s scribbles compared to the AI-generated one below. LOL. Very interesting. I want to cry. However, it is not me so I will stick to my baby scribbles, thank you.

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Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with my dear friend, Peter. It had been quite a challenge to find a time that worked for both of us, considering our busy schedules and our mutual desire to enjoy some much-needed relaxation time. You see, as adults, navigating the realm of friendship can be quite tricky. We strive to strike a balance between our personal interests and responsibilities while also cherishing the moments spent together. However, despite the initial hurdles, our meeting turned out to be incredibly pleasant and fulfilling.

During our conversation, a question arose, one that often lingers in the minds of many – “What’s next?” Suddenly, I found myself pondering the answer, discovering the complexity that lay within.

When it comes to matters of the heart, life has recently presented me with a significant milestone. I have taken the leap and moved in with my partner, a decision that holds great significance for both of us. At present, our focus lies in unraveling the intricacies of cohabitation. It may seem simple on the surface, but there is a depth to it that demands our attention. We are learning how to find comfort in pursuing our individual interests and passions while existing harmoniously within the same space. It is both a challenge and a beautiful journey, as we explore the delicate balance of sharing our lives while still feeling the need for personal freedom. Surely, there are countless layers waiting to be unraveled as we embark on this adventure together.

When it comes to my dance, I feel a sense of rekindled enthusiasm. In the earlier part of the year, I temporarily stepped away from my passion to focus on a new job. Now that I have settled in and regained my energy, I am ready to dive back into the world of dance. However, amidst the excitement, I find myself needing to reconnect with my inner self, to rediscover my aspirations and chart my course for the future. I have a burning desire for personal growth and a hunger to explore new avenues within the realm of dance. It is an ongoing process, a continuous dance of self-discovery and evolution.

Yet, as I pondered the question of “what’s next” in various aspects of my life, I realized that there has been a shift in my perspective. The presence of Edwin, my beloved partner, has taught me a valuable lesson – the importance of self-acceptance and contentment. Through his unwavering love and support, I have come to understand that I am enough just as I am. It is a concept that sometimes challenges me, as I have always strived for perfection and often felt the need to prove myself. However, Edwin’s mere existence in my life has shown me that it is okay to simply be. This realization, although not always easy to digest, has allowed me to embrace my own worthiness. And just as I hope to make Edwin feel the same way, I aspire to emulate this mindset while maintaining my unwavering determination and passion. I want to continue nurturing the flame within me, giving my all to every endeavor, and reaching the end of this journey knowing that I have truly lived. Regardless of the outcomes that lie ahead, I understand that my worthiness is not contingent upon external validation. The gift of self-acceptance is truly a remarkable treasure, and I consider myself immensely fortunate to have Edwin by my side, guiding me on this incredible journey called life.