By Gabriel Bernales
A month after graduation, it felt like a weight was lifted from my body. I didn’t even have to worry about any academic responsibilities, and honestly, I had never felt happier. However, a new dilemma faced me while stuck at home. I agree that after 18 years in basic, secondary, and higher education, I needed to rest—and I did. I dyed my hair, went out for a drink, and did a lot of doomscrolling at home, until my body finally told me it was time to leave the nest.
I had planned everything out before graduation. I told myself I could never see myself growing in this city because I have dreams; those dreams were impossible, but the desire for pursuit makes me want more; the liberation, the emancipation, and the independence. After scrambling my thoughts, I got up from my bed, hit my flavored vape, and smiled. This is it. I sprinted to my mother’s room, and I barged in without warning; I told her I was ready to leave and start a new chapter for myself. Of course, she was hesitant at first, but I needed to finally get out from the shackles of a city that wasn’t offering room for growth. It was the first decision I made that I didn’t regret.
For some people, the fear of leaving the hometown that shaped you into who you are can be anxiety-inducing, but I was ready to take a bite of freedom, the quench for evolution in a dynamic environment. It is scary, but the fabulous thing about this is that fate is in your hands. However, I will miss the people who made life easier; I will miss my room, which saw my highs and lows, and the places where I find comfort, but I can’t find a thrilling life in the static. When I packed my things, I couldn’t help but be teary-eyed. It was a big change for me, but I was ecstatic; I couldn’t believe I was doing this.
When my mom was dropping me off at the terminal, she kept asking, “Are you sure?” and I kept assuring her that I was sure of everything. The moment I rode the bus, put on my headphones, and looked out the window, passing through every city so fast, just like myself—it felt like a fast decision. But I smiled at the thought: I did this, and just like that, I left the nest.
