In Conclusion ...

Let's face it, we've all had moments like this hundreds of times:

and this:

Life's hard, I'm not going to lie. And it doesn't get any easier, but it doesn't mean we should give up at the first hurdle. 

Lately, I've been talking a lot with my friends here about our current lives and what's the next step after Korea. And I've said something that I want to voice on here, because although I wouldn't call it great advice, I do think it's something some people need to hear and think about. It might prove to be helpful. It might also be something some people need to hear although it's not something everyone wants to hear.

Although we (my friends and I that are working and travelling abroad) are doing something exciting and amazing, it's only a short and temporary thing. It's not something we can do for a long time. We need to get back to reality; to our real lives. Unless we are willing to move from job to job, from country to country, and to never properly settle down. I'd be hard to find a partner and ever start a family (if that's what you want to do). I don't particularly want the whole marriage and kids thing, definitely not anytime soon at least, but I would like some stability; a stable job and life.

The fears that we have of returning home, having to go back to no job, probably living with our parents again, and losing some (probably most) of our independence that we've gained while living alone abroad. These are all fears that we had when we left university. Although we're working, we haven't skipped this part. We still have to face it. We still need to transition from graduate life to finding and building a career path for ourselves. It's just something we have to go through. It'll be hard and frustrating, and we'll want to give up a lot, but it is something that everyone has to go through whether your ambitious or just want a simple lifestyle with any job that will get you money.

It's all part of growing up. We have to start from the bottom and slowly build the life we want. You can't skip it. It's depressing, but welcome to the real world.

It may seem harsh and negative but you could also see it as a 'necesary evil', so to speak. It's something we can't avoid and we have to go through the hardships in order to build a life that we are happy and proud of and can call our own. For me, knowing that I've built my life from the ground up is something I can't wait for. To make happy moments and to work hard for everything I have is something I really want. It'll make me proud and even happier. It'll be my best accomplishment. Admittedly, it'll be hard and a long process, but I genuinely think it'll be worth it.

So basically, what I want people to know and realise is that we all have to go through stages in our lives to live and grow as a person. We all live different lives, are from different backgrounds, have different dreams etc... But there are stages that we all have to go through. They're stages that help us grow; in maturity, independence and develop ourselves as people. I'm not trying to be spiritual or deep and meaningful. For the people that know me, you know I'm not like that. I'm just trying to lay out the facts.

Our childhood is important because it gives us a foundation, and whilst it's very important as our starting point, it isn't the only key stage in our lives. It doesn't have to define us. Yes, it's an influential time, but there are many parts in our lives that shape us and test us. And some of those stages are our choice. And how we go through and deal with those stages are a mix of our choice and outside influences. So take charge of what you can. Take the initiative and make YOUR life the way YOU want it. Don't run away from it, because you're more than likely going to fail. Just do it and do what you can. As my parents have always said to me, "Do your best. Nobody can ask for more. You do what's within your capability and that's all you can do."

Like our childhood, there are stages in our life where we have to start from scratch or given a foundation to work from and build up. You can't escape from it. So when you're ready, just turn around and face it and take your time. If you're going to have to go through it, why not do it the way you want? It's your time, your energy and YOUR life.