I’m a millennial who is reflecting on 6 months of wonder and adventure.

Re-reading my intro blog, you may notice how strongly I felt something was amiss. I needed a new chapter, a new direction. I wasn’t thrilled about life as it was. But I wasn’t sure of what exactly I did and didn’t like about it. I just knew that I wanted change, and that I wanted it now.

Today I’m in a different place. Radical rest has muted past doubts, anxieties, and grievances. I’m now more mindful of what I see as joyful and what I find saddening. What’s welcoming and what’s deceitful. What’s righteous and what’s condescending. What’s hopeful and what’s dispiriting.

But let’s save the deep thoughts for a future post and reflect on the moment at hand. I dedicated this year to exploration, service, and creativity. What has come of this gap year in the first 6 months? Here’s what I’ve done—

How have I explored new places and made lasting memories? The places I’ve gone this year are nearly countless, with trips to Singapore, SXSW (Austin + Albuquerque), Minneapolis, and Southern Europe. I ate delicious food and toured awesome sights, and I learned more about the stories of far away lands and peoples. I really liked a swing through the East Coast too (pictures below).

I’ve been back in the States since June, but I’m still frolicked around place near my Oakland home. On a perfectly cloudless summer day, a few weeks ago, I ventured to Sausalito on the ferry and then walked back to San Francisco via the Ridge Trail (pictures below). It’s definitely on my to-do list to do more treks just like this one, discovering the wonders of neighborhoods and landmarks in my own backyard.

How have I served the community? I’ve written letters and made calls on issues I care about. I’ve called my congressperson (for like the first time in my life). I even volunteered to research public safety issues in rural Minnesota, educating myself—and politicos—about the addiction and mental crisis that’s enveloped much of America.

And yet, I admit that I could do more service, especially here in Oakland. The possibilities are kind of overwhelming—politics, homelessness, environmental justice, immigration, healthcare, education, and the erosion of freethinking and freedom. I’d be grateful to lend myself to a local cause in the coming months.

How have I created works that make me proud? I’ve become more crafty, packing luggage more efficiently, writing conversationally, working WordPress, snapping pictures, rediscovering Polaroid, and drawing realistically. It should be no surprise that drawing has been the most satisfying.

I’ve learned, unlearned, and relearned about shapes, edges, angles, negative spaces, perspectives, proportions, and luminescent shading. It’s given me peace, and opened my eyes to the vibrant surroundings all around us. I get such a pleasant feeling of accomplishment after each piece is completed. You should try this out, seriously!!

What else do I have to say about this year? And then there’s making new friend and keeping the old. Nurturing and guarding relationships is no easy feat in this world—where people instinctually throw things away, and throw people away almost as readily. I’m thankful to have made a few genuine friends throughout this year.

In the intro blog, I told you I’m finding my voice. Friends have helped me do that—I now realize I always had an inner voice, but that voice was too often stifled or dismissed as not conforming what others wanted said or heard. And so, I switched into an inauthentic voice. When enough people do this, this is how gaslighting happens.

After talking with many friends in real life for the first time in years, I heard similar stories about the despotic vice of conformity. In fact, many peers are questioning the path that’s well taken, and deciding to plot their own course. Knowing that not everyone colors inside the lines has empowered me to find my voice—and better embrace my authentic self. Thank you friends.

What next? I’ve been wrapping up my self-paced drawing lessons. I’ll present you portfolio of pictures from this wondrous project in the next post. Don’t miss this one!!