A New Beginning

Today, exactly 30 years ago, I was born into this world. I’m so thankful that I can go through year after year up to this point. Well... it is said that 30 is a new phase of life and also the new stage of adulthood. I’m quite excited about that, but also a little bit disappointed, because I feel like I’ve wasted most of my twenties. There are many failures and unfulfilled ambitions in my twenties, so that’s why I will do a “revenge” in my thirties.

Honestly, my biggest unfulfilled ambition until now is about traveling. I admit from my late teens until mid-to-late twenties, I’d wasted so much time. When I was invited by my friends to travel, I often refused or made excuses, whether “lack of money”, “no time”, or “didn’t get permission from parents”. And it lasted for years, until I realized that most of my friends were getting busier with their jobs or even got married, meanwhile I was still stuck at the same point. Yes, I had missed a chance in my youth.

As the proverb says: “regret always comes in the end”, that’s what happened to me at that time. I was stunned in my room and only could ponder to myself “Where had I been after all this time?!”. It was 2015...I’d been 28 years old and still had nothing to be proud of. I remembered then Albert Einstein’s quote: “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result”. So, in order to make a better future, I had to make a chance!!

My turning point came around February 2015 when I was randomly scrolling down my Facebook timeline, I saw an international parkour event in Singapore called “Lion City Gathering (LCG)”. Some of my Indonesian friends came to that event, including Andreas, my current business partner. Suddenly... a strong desire to attend LCG arose in my heart, don't know why. I’d never felt this kind of urge in my life before. But unfortunately, I had not enough money at that time, plus I was still stuck with my old job.

In short, I made a quite radical decision by moving to another city (Surabaya) in mid 2015. I wanted to start a new life with a new social circle. And thankfully after saving some money I could attend LCG 2016. Right after that, my desire to travel became more and more again. Like I said before, I want to “revenge” my wasted twenties. I promise to myself that my thirties will be much more meaningful, adventurous, and unforgettable. That’s why without any doubt I made a VOW that I won’t get married (or even have any romantic relationship) before (at least) traveling ALL South East Asian countries.

        

Why only ASEAN? Because I know my place, and also know my financial limit. Although I have an exorbitant ambition, but honestly I don’t come from a rich family. And also my country, Indonesia, is a third world country, which has weaker passport power and lower currency value compared to most of the developed ones. Without any intention to doubt miracle/luck, I will start with ASEAN first, because they’re all visa free for Indonesians and quite financially affordable. And as the time goes by, I’ll try to find any opportunities for traveling the first world countries. Let’s see how it goes then.

      

So far I’ve already traveled 3 ASEAN countries: Singapore, Malaysia, and Philippines. There’re still 7 more: Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, and Timor Leste. Btw, talking about Timor Leste, although it hasn’t officially become ASEAN member, but I add it to the list due to its status as ex-Indonesian province. I don’t know when my vow will be 100% fulfilled in the future. Maybe when I’m 35, 40, or even 50? I don’t care, even if I have to sacrifice marriage... seriously. A vow is a vow, which must be done, no excuse.

           

By doing this, I know the risk that I’ll be faced. Most likely I will miss the chance of having a romantic relationship or even the marriage itself. But, I’d prefer being like this rather than having a forced relationship just because I have to carry out other people's expectations. Like a proverb says: “everything has a price to pay”, I don’t mind staying single forever in order to “extend” my youth.

        

So... in my thirties, I will still keep the twenties lifestyle (of course in positive way). From now on, I will live my life to the fullest and just totally focus on three things: career/financial, parkour, and traveling. Forget about love, maybe after everything I’ve been through, I come to a conclusion that marriage/romantic relationship isn’t for everyone. Now I think marriage is just one of many life choices, not an achievement, let alone religious obligation.

Another reason why I take this decision is actually I’m interested in Voluntary Human Extinction Movement. I don't like baby/children honestly, in my opinion the world is already too overcrowded, I wish human population will slowly decrease in the future, starting from me not to reproduce. I’m not saying that I'll be 100% strictly committed with it, I could change my mind anytime in the future (of course after ASEAN traveling). But at least for now, I totally agree with this movement, you can check it out by yourself if you want.

Okay... I think that’s all for now. You don’t have to agree with me, this is just my personal thought and opinion. For anyone who reads this, hope you use your time well, don’t repeat my past mistakes. You only live once!