Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
After experiencing the instability of these past three years, many Malaysians find themselves struggling to catch up to lost times.
Lekiu is one such Malaysian who felt that he was robbed of his best years due to the pandemic. He is one of the many students who spent his university years cooped up at home and stuck with online learning.
[source: cottonbro studio on pexels. Com]
Still, he also hopes that he is able to catch a break to prepare himself for any adversities and to heal from the exhaustion that came with the endemic.
This is his story!
I think I speak for most Malaysians when I say that we just don’t want the pandemic to make a comeback.
However, the one thing that the pandemic brought that benefited a lot of us is the much-needed break that allowed for more holidays. I believe that part of the pandemic should return, but of course, without the accompanying hospital days.
“I feel like it’s only fair that we get to take back what was taken, you know?”
Those two to three years were supposed to be the best years for some of us to live and discover ourselves better. Instead, I had to spend them at home in front of a laptop…
[source: cottonbro on pexels. Com]
My Hopes For 2023
Personally, I could always use more breaks, even though I’m currently in one… But I feel like I could use a bit more without the everlasting pressure of expectations from different parties.
I’m at an age where the world is moving so fast around me. Whereas during the pandemic everything halted to almost a standstill and now it feels like everyone is going at a faster pace than I can keep up with.
Some people are getting married, getting good-paying jobs and generally moving on to the next stages of their lives.
I don’t think I’m ready for any of those but at the same time, I feel like I’m left out.
[source: min an on pexels. Com]
“They say your biggest critic is yourself.”
That made me realize I need to love myself more and I would use the break to work on that.
Of course, I would also love to spend more time with friends but that would imply they get the same hypothetical break that I’m getting. Honestly, they deserve it.
What Lekiu Needed To Hear Back In January 2022
If I could talk to myself back at the beginning of 2022, I would tell myself to take more videos of moments with my friends.
[source: min an on pexels. Com]
Lekiu, you will find yourself looking at them on lonely nights.
This will get you through so many days just to see them again.
Also, this sounds typical but please love yourself more too.
Even in 2023.
Do you know anyone with an interesting story to share? Drop us an email at ym.efillaerni@olleh and we may feature the story.
For more stories like this, read:
Part and Parcel of Life – How Malaysia’s University Admissions System Broke Me
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