The 2024 is halfway over!
As we reach the midpoint of 2024, I find myself reflecting on the past six months with a sense of gratitude and joy. It’s been a rollercoaster experience, each contributing to the making of beautiful memories. Here’s a glimpse into some of my best moments so far this year.
January: Embracing New Beginnings
The year kicked off with a trip to Turkey and Dubai for an annual project from one of my jobs. It was a refreshing start, surrounded by the beauty of historical places related to my religion and also working with beautiful faces who come from different nationalities. Aside from that, I also finished reading one book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck” which I know is a very cliché book. I just can’t help myself with the procrastination that I have as I bought the book ages ago. But I am happy that I learned something new from the book!
For those who don’t know, I have OCD. Talking about the end of life makes me anxious and triggers a lot of intrusive thoughts. But, from that book, I learned “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully, prepare to die at any time” — Mark Twain
February: A Taste of New Habits
February brought an unforgettable new step for me as I started a lot of new things. As I finished my working trip, I came back to my country and lived at my parent’s house. I started to read more books, work with more puzzles, start working out, and take care of my health by visiting the doctor regularly (again).
Nothing very specific happens in the month of February besides me getting my peak of sickness. The doctor said I worked too much and therefore I have no proper rest. Leading me to a realization that the best investment is to invest in your health, and do something that is encouraging and avoiding rather than fixing.
March: Personal Growth and Religiously Happy.
March was a month of introspection and growth. I enrolled in a mindfulness and meditation retreat, I changed my reading habit to reading the Holy Qur’an. Besides the Ramadhan started that month, I feel like I wanted to experience the best Ramadhan every year starting from 2024.
I can say that March to April from Ramadhan to Eid Al-Fitr was the best era that I really enjoyed. From having much more quality time with my family, understanding more about my religion, and doing some things that is impactful to society again. Not only bringing up the spirits of Ramadhan but also the sparks of feeling heroic and youthful. The best yet the most beautiful outcomes… I recovered from my health conditions 🫶
April: Professional Milestones
Starting April with the most beautiful event we have in our religion, which is Eid Al-Fitr. April was marked by significant professional achievements. I completed a major project at work that I had been spearheading for months.
In the past year, after I finished my journey at one of the youth-led organizations, I initiated a project to build a non-formal school foundation in a rural area in Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia. It is with great pride and immense gratitude that I share the news of our recent achievement: receiving a generous grant of 370 Million Rupiah from Kementerian Pendidikan, Kebudayaan, Riset, dan Teknologi Indonesia for our non-formal school foundation. This monumental accomplishment marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide quality education to underserved communities.
The project’s success was a testament to the hard work and dedication. Celebrating this milestone with parents by having a holiday with them to another island in the country was a highlight.
May: The Healthiest!
In May, I don’t have a very big traveling moment or vacation. I just spent the whole month working from home and constantly exercising every day. Oh, I quit one of the jobs that I have. After a year of having 4 jobs with different times and different working hours, Now I only have 3 jobs which creates a lot more balance in my daily life 🫶
Talking back again with the “healthiest” ideas that we have for May, I went from 48 KG (this is a side effect after a major health problem) to 58 KG, once again 58 KG!!! I love how I made things that I have started constantly and achieved even exceeding what I expected. Now I really love my body, all my pants are now really choking my belly and my jawline is not jaw lining anymore. But anyway, I keep it up until now with that weight and I am super happy about it!
June: Celebrations!
The window is open!
So’s that door!
June has been a month of travels and celebrations! I finally have my trip to Bangkok, Thailand again but of course still working there. Besides celebrating many accomplishments and loving myself by enjoying the beauty of Thailand, meeting the most beautiful South Korean Singer (IU), and spending time + creating good memories with my best friends. Indeed, it was the best moment I have ever had.
End the beautiful month of June by receiving an inspiring recognition of dedication and impact. Amor Matris Indonesia, a non-formal school foundation that I have been building has been honored with an award from the Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia (the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia). Awarded in June 2024, highlights Amor Matris Indonesia as the most progressive and best-developed non-formal school in a rural area. Alongside this recognition, we also receive a special fund of 45 million rupiah to further its mission.
Looking Forward
As I reflect on these past six months, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and lessons they have brought. Each month has been a chapter of growth, joy, and connection. Looking ahead, I am excited about what the rest of 2024 holds. Here’s to more adventures, achievements, and cherished moments!
Thank you for joining me on this journey through my best life of the first half of 2024. I hope it inspires you to reflect on your own moments of joy and growth. Here’s to making the rest of the year just as memorable!
Oh! I received this letter from the past that was written by myself to my future self. This is what keeps me accountable to always be grateful for what I have right now and keep surprising myself.
To end this writing, I have one learning from the Holy Qur’an.
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives. And that his effort is going to be seen — then he will be rewarded for it with the fullest reward”
An-Najm: 39–41
Do everything that makes you positively fulfilled with the most beautiful ways of process, work on it, and give your best to exceed what you want to achieve. The effort will never betray the result. Remember, exceeding means that the result might come in a different path, different way, or even different form. Enjoy your life by always seeing the good side of what you give, get, and have right now. Surprise yourself and do not just do the things that are relevant,
MAKE THINGS RELEVANT!
