Minutes stretch into hours, hours into days.
Time crawls, heavy with loneliness.
The mind whispers: Something’s missing.
Or maybe… someone.

Is it just boredom?
Movies will fix it.
But wait, their chemistry sparks so bright.
Oh, to be loved like that.

It’s fine, it’s just a movie.
Music will soothe it.
But wait, the lyrics weave such poetry.
Oh, to have someone to sing them to.

Books will heal it, surely.
Just turn the first page and everything’s alright.
But wait: “To my wife, my everything.”
Oh, to be seen like that.

Love lingers everywhere — in a scene, a lyric, a line.
Why hasn’t it reached me?

But… what if it already has?

No need to search for Pluto, for Mars, for Jupiter,
Because you are the Sun, radiant and whole.
Your kindness, your courage, your dreams.
Stars trailing in your orbit.

The movie you watched to lift your heart,
The song you sang to brighten your day,
The book you read to light your way,
That’s your love, shining inward.

So watch with passion,
Sing with fire,
Read with hunger.
Until longing has no room to linger.
Until your heart brims with your own light.

The one you’ve been waiting for isn’t out there.
It’s you–
finally seeing you were here all along.

So many times when my friends and I talk about people’s behavior, the conversation always circles back to the same phrase:
“Kayaknya dia orangnya ga enakan deh.”

I hear it in myself too. Like when I say yes to something I don’t want to do because the air feels tense and I’d rather smooth it over, someone will say “Kamu orangnya gaenakan.”

Even my closest friend, after being treated unfairly, shrugs and says, “Aku orangnya gaenakan sebenernya.”

Somehow, that phrase turned into a label. Almost like a stamp: people pleaser.

But when I think about it, I’m not sure that label fits so neatly.

I once had a friend who was the kindest, most capable, most independent person in our group. Because of that, we all leaned on her — where to go, how to split the bill, even which train to catch. She carried everything without complaint.

Back then, I didn’t even realize I was part of the “demanding” side. I just thought she was a good friend. I felt cared for.

Looking back, I wish I had shared the load. Checked the train schedules, suggested restaurants, taken turns paying. Maybe then she could have enjoyed the hangout, too.

That’s when it hit me: not every yes is about pleasing people. Sometimes it’s about love. Sometimes it’s just the easiest way to keep everyone moving forward.

And maybe the real question isn’t how do I stop being a people pleaser?
Maybe it’s how do I stop demanding so much from those who always say yes?

Because relationships aren’t ever perfectly balanced. They don’t have to be 50–50. Maybe they look more like 60–40, with everyone trying to be the 60.

So no one is always giving.
And no one gets too comfortable always receiving.

I took a morning walk today.
The neighbor’s cat seemed to sense I was coming.
I knelt down as she came to me.
I placed my hand on her head as she sat.

I took a morning walk today.
The weather was kind.
Birds were chirping,
perched on branches,
singing melodies I’ll never understand,
but they sounded so beautiful anyway.

I took a morning walk today.
The road seemed a little bit wet.
But the wind was awesome.
Water droplets fell from the leaves.
The light glowed dark orange,
as the sun was still hiding.

I didn’t take a morning walk today.
The sky was dark.
The cat was sleeping.
So I picked up my guitar today.

I didn’t take a morning walk today.
I woke up a little bit late,
regretting that I turned off the alarm.
But I read my books today.
Not a good morning,
but it is still a good day anyway.

When I was a kid, I used to draw the same scene over and over again — two mountains, a paddy field at the bottom, a long road in the middle, birds flying in the sky, and a big sun rising between the mountains.
(You know the one, every kid’s masterpiece)

I loved drawing it. The sun was always there, an inseparable part of the picture. I’ve always loved the sun. It gives warmth, helps me tell the time through the shadows it casts, and paints the sky beautifully, whether it’s arriving at dawn or leaving at dusk.

No matter how heavy the rain, or how dark the clouds, we know the sun is still there, waiting to shine again. And it makes me wonder, “Can I be like the sun?”

But I don’t think I can.

We never blame the sun for only shining on half the earth. But if I were the sun, I might ask myself, “Why can’t I reach more?”

When the rain falls and I can’t give my light, I might say, “Why can’t I do better?”

Maybe that’s the difference between me and the sun.

When I don’t show up the way I usually do, I assume something’s wrong with me. When I can’t give my all, I question my worth.

I may not help everyone, but in my absence, I worry I’ll become a burden.

I treat rest like failure. I treat silence like a flaw.
And yet, I wonder why I always feel so tired.

Sometimes, I wish I could see myself the way I see the sun — essential, steady, never judged for hiding behind the clouds.

And maybe… I’m not like the sun.
But I can light my fire as brightly as I can, so that other candles begin to light themselves.

And if my light isn’t enough to illuminate the world, maybe it was never meant to be mine to carry alone.

Because lighting the world has always been a shared task, a work of many flames, not just one.

And in learning to honor my own flame, maybe I’ll finally feel the warmth I’ve been trying to give to everyone else.

Since I was at school, this question always popped up every time — in discussions, small talks, or even homework. I vividly recall those moments in class when someone asked this, and everybody chimed in with their answers — “Oprah!”, “Superman!”, “Newton!” or other celebrities and scientists, you name it. Little me, who didn’t even know the terms’ definitions, would mention the latest celebrity I saw on screen — “Harry Styles!”

But, what is a role model actually? According to the Cambridge Dictionary, you can define it as a person who someone admires and whose behavior they try to copy. It doesn’t have to be one person for all. You can admire many people at once. It doesn’t have to be a celebrity, of course.

For so many years, I thought I didn’t have any. I kept mentioning the same name, or sometimes switching them to one another — “Harry Styles!” “Taylor Swift!” “Harry Styles!” “Taylor Swift!” (sounded so Swiftie, right? haha) and so on. Later I realized that I actually have ones — I mean, they are a lot. It is never only one person.

I have one favorite hobby — playing guitar (still sounds so bad though) — because I always saw my childhood friend playing it. I studied harder at school because I saw my classmate always eager to be in the top 5 in class. I learned how to be supportive after seeing my favorite badminton athlete smile and congratulate his opponent even after losing. I also learned how to love myself from an influencer’s post that accidentally came to my Instagram page.

Without my knowledge, everybody around me actually has these little pieces that complete the puzzle in my life journey. Every interaction and also some random encounters leave a memorable message. There is always something I can learn from someone I meet, even if it is a stranger, from the smallest thing.

How about you, who is your role model? Maybe the barista who brightens your morning with a warm greeting? The bus driver who navigates rush hour traffic with unwavering patience? The neighbor who always offers a helping hand? Take a moment to celebrate them. Share their stories. Let them know how they inspire you. Because maybe, just maybe, you’re a role model to someone else too.

”The world is too big to stay in one place & life is too short to do just one thing”
-anonymous

Have you ever ventured alone to an unfamiliar place? How did it make you feel?

Feeling a bit scared? Confused? Worried that people around are watching and judging if you do something strange? Yeah, that’s totally what I’ve felt too!

I made my first trip alone at the age of 18 and have been in love with it ever since. Traveling as a group is awesome but there is something magical about traveling on your own.

Solo traveling will help you reconnect with yourself. It can change your personality in a very positive way and give you a new perspective about the world.

I always make sure to prepare these key things before venturing on a solo trip. These are personal recommendations. If you’re about to embark on your first solo journey, I hope they’ll prove valuable to you.

1. Make a Plan: Start with a basic tip — make a plan!
List the activities you want to experience and the iconic places you want to visit.

2. Do Your Research
Check for easy access, internet availability, and whether you share a common language with the locals. Researching in advance will make packing and preparation easier.

3. Accommodation Survey
Explore nearby accommodation and transportation options.
Booking well ahead of your trip is also a smart move, as it helps you find the best deals and promotions, saving you money.

4. Always Prepare for Backup
The goal of a solo trip is to have fun, but it’s crucial to be prepared for the unexpected. Don’t forget to set aside an emergency fund.

5. Personal Advice: take your calculator/note with you!
I always carry a calculator when I plan to do some extensive shopping, especially for daily essentials. It helps me keep track of prices and understand the usual cost of products in various shops, preventing me from overspending.

6. Consider Yourself a Local Citizen
Traveling solo is thrilling, but it’s essential to be cautious. Be confident and alert at all times. Projecting confidence helps others perceive you as strong and less susceptible to scams.

Solo travel can be intimidating at first, but as time goes on, you’ll become more at ease.

Use these tips to overcome your fears and embark on an unforgettable solo journey!

In 2018, a year that remains deeply rooted in my memory, I reached an important turning point — deciding to go to college. This step marked a significant change from my comfort zone, as I had always remained close to my hometown. I was unsure about the future, worried about leaving the familiar behind, and anxious about what was ahead. I didn’t know then that this decision would be one of the best I ever made.

I went to my dream university in Yogyakarta, a city full of treasured memories, as everyone had told me. The first two days were not easy, I can’t deny that. Waking up in my new room, with only myself for company, felt very lonely. However, I was determined not to seem weak, so I waited until the weekend to call home.

First day of school and my anxiety hit its peak. I kept wondering, ‘What do I have to do? Should I just say hi? Would that be awkward?’ These thoughts were like a never-ending tune playing in my mind. I’d spent most of my life hanging out with the same group of people, my best friends, to be precise. So, mingling with strangers and engaging in small talk was, well, a real challenge, one that kept me up at night.

But, I couldn’t stick to my old ways. It dawned on me that if I continued being the same person I was back home, people would see me as the same old shy me. So, I decided to take a chance and show them a side of me I’d rarely revealed before — the brave one. I realized I had an advantage, a clean slate with nobody knowing my past. It was up to me to shape the impression I wanted to leave.

So, I took the plunge and decided to be the one to say hello first, initiate the chit-chat, and, you guessed it, things often got awkward! But what really surprised me was that, regardless of the initial awkwardness, it left a positive impression on people. It turns out, people are more kind and accepting than I had feared. They appreciated my willingness to take the first step, and I was genuinely glad to see how they saw it.

My journey continued, and I met people from various cities and cultures, each perceiving things differently. What might be considered good by some could be seen as not so great by others. Personalities were just as diverse — some loved to chat, while others preferred not to. I learned that it’s essential to adapt our behavior when socializing with different people, especially in a new city. It reminded me of an Indonesian proverb: ‘Where the Earth is trodden, there the sky is upheld.’ One thing I discovered is that no single approach works for everyone.

One week passed, then two, and before I knew it, a month had flown by. I had found new friends, something I could have never predicted. The journey continued, and four years slipped through my fingers. Along the way, I forged beautiful friendships. It wasn’t easy, but I was grateful for taking that chance.

For those of you contemplating a similar journey, leaving your hometown might seem daunting, but you never truly know the beauty you’ll discover. New friends, lifelong companions, or if you’re lucky, perhaps even your soulmate. It’s all part of the unknown, and that’s what makes it so special. You never realize its magic until you dive in. So, happy wandering!