A Recap
Footsteps made and the north-star
It has been almost a year — 11 months to be exact — since I have been having a kind of ‘fix daily routine’, the daily 8 hours of working full-time. Out of sudden, I reminisce the 6 months gap that I took after graduation, which was a decision I never regret for. The highlights of this 6 months gap are both on the flexibility of time to explore and running out of money #welcometoadulthood.
The down; I ran out of money #welcometoadulthood.
My monthly allowance was stopped right after graduation and fortunately, at that time I still had some savings that helped me to survive for around two months. I took freelance job as a SEO automotive content writer that paid me Rp 9000 (60 cents) for every English article containing 450 words. I needed to at least write 150 articles to meet my basic needs every month. It was enough, alhamdulillah. #welcometoadulthood.
The up; the flexibility of time to explore and learn things I didn’t get the chance to do when I was in the uni. I had the chance to dive deeply knowing myself and build self-awareness, which was undoubtedly neccessary in every decision I must take in life. To truly understand what I am good at, what I am bad at, what weaknesses I must improve, what potentials I can develop, the hurdles I have, and where I want & need to drive my life. In this process, there are things to learn and unlearn; the later was even harder for me.
I was fortunate that two of my good friends invited me to join their team for investment pitching competition. It was my first experience to directly interact with investors and venture capitals; everyone could tell that we were newbie in the gang. Yet it was truly memorable and we managed to be awarded as best 10 out of 100+ curated food startups joined the program, followed by few investments leads that brought broader learning curve for us. Alhamdulillah.
I was truly grateful that one of my mentors allowed me to join her project. A project whose vision truly aligns with my personal values and I was given the chance to develop its strategic partnerships and business side. We managed to improve our revenue 10x up and develop our product-market fit. Alhamdulillah. I learned so much during my 11 months in this project that I cried and felt soooooo sad when my desicion to do the farewell made. #welcometoadulthood.
This 6 months gap also gave me the chance to get to learn about my own religion as well as to meet amazing people passionate about this religion. I came to realize that I can’t just inheret a religion, I need to choose and in order to choose, I need to truly understand. This was among the most precious things I got to experience.
This 6 months gap taught that money is important, yet for a freshgrad like me, it’s not everything (not the case for freshgrad who has financial responsibility). I found that learning curve is way more important.
I graduated in May 2018 and started my full-time job in December 2018. Up until now, I am always in the process of figuring things out and embracing failures. I failed a lot.
In the process of this endless figuring things out, I aim to clarify my north-star. Bismillah.
