24 x 24: A Survival List Based on my 24 Years Of Existence

Since last month, I was thinking of making a list of random things that helped me enjoy my 24 years of existence as my birthday entry. Yup, September's my birth month so it means more to me than just Jose Mari Chan invading the shopping malls and gloomy weather that makes it harder for some or most people to go to work for the bed is extra cozy this season.

2017 is an awesome year full of unexpected turn of events in my life and this sort of survival list of 24 random things I did in my 24 years of existence that were vital parts of where I am now.

I have a quite number of fun experiences in life because I always say yes, mostly out of curiosity. Sometimes, you just have to try things clueless in order to have a clue. Whether you fail or not, remember that experience always results in a great story to tell.

I've done things this year that I actually enjoyed doing alone. It's not as big as spontaneously packing your bags heading on a big adventure type of thing, but you know...baby steps. I started watching movies in cinemas alone just to find out that it was equally enjoyable watching movies with a companion. I also enjoy watching local gigs with no one but my camera..or maybe a drink on my hand. I always find it fun to watch people around me instead of lurking on my phone scrolling people's bullshit on social media. It's a raw experience. Getting lost in your local thrift bookstore. It may sound boring for some but it's a liberating feeling when you actually enjoy your own company. It's one way to know yourself more.

For me, ranting once in a while doesn't make you a toxic person. Even water makes kettle whistle when it reaches its boiling point. When people make me really uneasy, I believe there's no reason to not point it out.

It's healthy to have this kind of intimacy with yourself. Not everyone can decipher a perplexed mind at times so better to keep them off the grid.

Humans are lucky to feel pain because the amount of happiness that will engulf you once the suffering's over would be priceless. You wouldn't appreciate stars without darkness.

Know when to say it's your last shot of tequila. Know when to stop giving endless chances. Know when to stop trusting again. Know when to say "NO." Even Globe network has 8gb limit per day for their "unlimited" internet surfing, right?

Know when to say "Let's give it a shot." Know to give second chances. Know when to say "Why not?" Live outside of the box.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." You may not get what you want, but God will give you what you need. It might not make sense for now, but trust me, life, God, universe have their odd ways of leaving you #shookt.

Have you experienced trying and falling and it seemed like it was an endless cycle? It was hard. It was disheartening. It was frustrating because all you did was to give your best but you don't see any progress at all. But once you stop stressing yourself up, you'll just get the best result in the least expected moment.

There's a bliss in silence as there's a peace in a calm sea. Hear nothing but the sound of your heartbeat-- that repetitive sound that keeps you feeling, that keeps you alive.

Same as you don't have to please everyone. Let go of toxic people. Let go of people who are hurting you. Let go of people who hold you down. Let go of people who make you feel alone. Quality over quantity.

As you grow old, there are choices you have to make and sometimes, it's between both good things. This will test your morals, your emotional stability, and how you know yourself well.

Learning doesn't stop when you get to hold that diploma. It doesn't even need to be curricular. Learn to adapt culture. Learn different things apart from what you know; what you've already mastered. Don't be afraid to be an amateur again. Don't strive to be the best, be better for there's always a surprise, a possibility, a hope when you know there's something more out there.

Laugh till you can't handle it anymore. Laugh till you snort, feel embarrassed about it for a second, then snort again because it feels good. Laugh till you feel that abs hidden inside that layers of fat sprouting.

Crying is a symbol of life. A doctor spanks a baby after his birth to know if he's alive. Cry for a movie. Cry for an overwhelming performance. Cry for hearing a kid's dream. Cry for hearing a 90-year-old man's dream. Cry for something laugh cannot give justice for. Crying doesn't make you weak, crying makes you alive.

C'mon, just for the hell of it. Give it a try and laugh after, or cry after perhaps. It doesn't have to rhyme or to have to make sense. You don't even have to publish it. Again, just for the hell of it.

Self-reflection is one of the keys to know yourself. According to one of the articles, it makes a person wiser when he talks to himself more often. It makes a difficult decision-making more bearable. Realizations happen when you address the voice inside your head.

Let go, let God. You don't have to carry your burden all by yourself. We all have limits and sometimes all we need is a constant companion. You don't need to be religious to believe in higher power. Life is easier when you know you're not alone.

Sometimes, people utter things beyond the valley of our comprehension. They do things different from what is "normal". We may not understand how some people act unusual but we have to accept how every individual is unique.

It's exhausting. What's up with people nowadays craving for everyone's attention? Stop doing things you're not happy with just to please people around. 80% of them don't care. The only validation you need is the validation from yourself. Own it, dear.

Indifference doesn't make you cool. Don't be off the grid. Know the current news. Stay relevant.

May it be with the security guard while waiting for your Uber, those street kids that play beside you, or your cab driver. Try to know them and their stories and you'll be amazed how they're more entertaining than your predictable teleseryes.