11 Lessons Learned After Being Away From Home For 6 Months
Sitting in Philadelphia International waiting for a flight seems like a good time to reflect on some realizations that occurred to me while returning home to New Jersey after being gone for so long. The trip was very eventful, full of time spent with family and friends around the 4th of July holiday that was well enjoyed. With all of the celebration and activities many lessons are becoming more evident now that I am in full fledged adulting mode leading into last year of grad school in Florida.
Lesson 1. Budget wisely
Leading up to the trip back to NJ from FL I basically only had saved enough to afford the transportation between flights and trains round-trip and didn’t take into consideration all of the other things I would need to spend money on like food and nights out on the town with my friends. Big reason is that I made some purchasing decisions before I flew out that set me back and basically forced me to work while I was home on my “vacation” to make up for the expenses of the trip. Simply put – Save your money! (For the things that really matter: Needs over Wants)
Lesson 2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew and end up choking
I did not have a set plan or schedule for the things that I would be doing while home on my vacation aside from working. I had an expectation in my head that I would have the opportunity to see a ton of my friends and be able to get quality time with each of them but that simply wasn’t realistic. I got to see only a fraction of the people I really wanted to see and for others I didn’t get a chance because I didn’t play my cards right which left me disappointed but I am totally responsible for that because I loaded up my plate with work, family and the few things I did manage to do with friends that still turned out to be a great time.
Lesson 3. Always have a fall back plan
As anticipated, a few of the things I had in mind for this trip did not occur for their own reasons but the big takeaway is that I had something to fall back on when things don’t go as planned. A back up plan is always a good precaution just to make sure you don’t get stranded with nothing. For example, I went home knowing that I had a few opportunities to make a few bucks. Did I know that I would actually have to actually undertake them, No, but the fact of the matter is that I had that in mind leading into the trip and I was able to utilize that as a source of income as well to make ends meet (and that still was barely enough smh).
Lesson 4. Some things/people never change
Coming home after being gone for just about 6 months opened my eyes to many many things, one being the fact that some things just never change while on the other hand the things that do change whether for the good or bad you have no control over and thats something that you have to accept. Even if its people for that matter.
Lesson 5. Recognize your own personal growth
I know while being away at grad school I grew on a professional and intellectual level but I didn’t realize how much I actually changed until I was around people that I was consistently around before I left. It was somewhat liberating to realize that I have been making strides in the right direction while others are comfortable where they are. This is just a matter of how you want to see your future self and how you intend on separating yourself from others.
Lesson 6. Some times picking up right where you left off isn’t the best way
When I returned home it really did feel like I picked right back up where I left off in the summer of 2015 when I first left for Florida. The thing I realized is that a lot of my habits have changed over the year that I have been away. I have really honed in on my health both mentally and physically so that I can live the ideal lifestyle I set for myself. Coming home I realized that I had a lot of distractions from that lifestyle with the consistent traveling to go party with friends, I didn’t utilize my old gym that’s literally a block away from my house the entire trip, and I ate whatever I could get my hands on. Now, I have a better idea of how to prepare for my next return home while keeping my eye on the prize.
Lesson 7. “Live in the moment”
My childhood best friend has a tattoo, “Live in the moment” across his forearm and he couldn’t be any better of an influence to do exactly that and enjoy everything as much as possible. I sacrificed a lot of sleep among other things to do the things I wanted to do and see a majority of people that I was able to link up with and I loved every second of it. To me it means that you focus on the now and don’t dwell on the past, what has already happened cannot be changed and should not have influence on you. Also it is important to avoid being anxious or worrying about the future. Just enjoy every step along the way.
Lesson 8. Live life in the fast lane
Being a motorcycle advocate (More specifically street bikes) living life in the fast lane is meant both literally and figuratively in my case. I haven’t had my own in 4 years but my younger brother has one that I happened to borrow for the week while I was home and for me there is no better adrenaline rush then being able to open up the throttle and know that the odds of being the quickest one on the road are likely in your favor with all that power between your legs LOL! In a more figurative sense, this complements Lesson 7 to live in the moment. Life in the fast lane supports an exciting and eventful lifestyle, especially one that generates wealth and success BUT it depends on what you associate wealth and success with. Cars? Money? Love? Expensive clothes? Happiness? You ultimately choose. For me, I’m in it for the thrill!
Lesson 9. Make Memories to look back on
They say a picture is worth 1000 words and if you know me I should be hired by TMZ because I manage to do a pretty good job of capturing many spectacle moments in my life. Things experienced with my family and friends that allow us to look back, have a laugh or reminisce on all of the memorable events that have occurred in this wonderful life we live. Manage to get ahold of my phone and you'll see what I mean.
Lesson 10. You’re not getting any younger
One of the biggest things I advocate is the simple fact that none of us are getting any younger. Time doesn’t slow down for anyone and we only have one life to live and the limited trips around the sun that we are allowed in our lifetime, so my biggest question to anything is – Why Not? I asked myself this question numerous times when I wanted to get up early and enjoy every breathing moment in NJ when my body tried to keep me in bed. This always resulted in something a little caffeine would fix along with the satisfaction that I am making the best of my short time home. Before Drake wrote the song I was always a fan of the saying "you only live once" then he had to mess it up with his YOLO acronym but its honestly something that everyone should live by.
Lesson 11. Enjoy a good vacation, you deserve it.
I believe that over my past year of being away in grad school I owed it to myself to enjoy a good visit home. After busting my ass all year long with classes, work, starting a business and building a solid plan for myself I have no regrets. Although there seems to be some contradictory things within these lessons I have recognized the next steps of my personal development and know what I need to do to change and make sure that harvest nothing but good vibes and hard work to reach my goals
Circa July 2016.
Lesson 1. Budget wisely
Leading up to the trip back to NJ from FL I basically only had saved enough to afford the transportation between flights and trains round-trip and didn’t take into consideration all of the other things I would need to spend money on like food and nights out on the town with my friends. Big reason is that I made some purchasing decisions before I flew out that set me back and basically forced me to work while I was home on my “vacation” to make up for the expenses of the trip. Simply put – Save your money! (For the things that really matter: Needs over Wants)
Lesson 2. Don’t bite off more than you can chew and end up choking
I did not have a set plan or schedule for the things that I would be doing while home on my vacation aside from working. I had an expectation in my head that I would have the opportunity to see a ton of my friends and be able to get quality time with each of them but that simply wasn’t realistic. I got to see only a fraction of the people I really wanted to see and for others I didn’t get a chance because I didn’t play my cards right which left me disappointed but I am totally responsible for that because I loaded up my plate with work, family and the few things I did manage to do with friends that still turned out to be a great time.
Lesson 3. Always have a fall back plan
As anticipated, a few of the things I had in mind for this trip did not occur for their own reasons but the big takeaway is that I had something to fall back on when things don’t go as planned. A back up plan is always a good precaution just to make sure you don’t get stranded with nothing. For example, I went home knowing that I had a few opportunities to make a few bucks. Did I know that I would actually have to actually undertake them, No, but the fact of the matter is that I had that in mind leading into the trip and I was able to utilize that as a source of income as well to make ends meet (and that still was barely enough smh).
Lesson 4. Some things/people never change
Coming home after being gone for just about 6 months opened my eyes to many many things, one being the fact that some things just never change while on the other hand the things that do change whether for the good or bad you have no control over and thats something that you have to accept. Even if its people for that matter.
Lesson 5. Recognize your own personal growth
I know while being away at grad school I grew on a professional and intellectual level but I didn’t realize how much I actually changed until I was around people that I was consistently around before I left. It was somewhat liberating to realize that I have been making strides in the right direction while others are comfortable where they are. This is just a matter of how you want to see your future self and how you intend on separating yourself from others.
Lesson 6. Some times picking up right where you left off isn’t the best way
When I returned home it really did feel like I picked right back up where I left off in the summer of 2015 when I first left for Florida. The thing I realized is that a lot of my habits have changed over the year that I have been away. I have really honed in on my health both mentally and physically so that I can live the ideal lifestyle I set for myself. Coming home I realized that I had a lot of distractions from that lifestyle with the consistent traveling to go party with friends, I didn’t utilize my old gym that’s literally a block away from my house the entire trip, and I ate whatever I could get my hands on. Now, I have a better idea of how to prepare for my next return home while keeping my eye on the prize.
Lesson 7. “Live in the moment”
My childhood best friend has a tattoo, “Live in the moment” across his forearm and he couldn’t be any better of an influence to do exactly that and enjoy everything as much as possible. I sacrificed a lot of sleep among other things to do the things I wanted to do and see a majority of people that I was able to link up with and I loved every second of it. To me it means that you focus on the now and don’t dwell on the past, what has already happened cannot be changed and should not have influence on you. Also it is important to avoid being anxious or worrying about the future. Just enjoy every step along the way.
Lesson 8. Live life in the fast lane
Being a motorcycle advocate (More specifically street bikes) living life in the fast lane is meant both literally and figuratively in my case. I haven’t had my own in 4 years but my younger brother has one that I happened to borrow for the week while I was home and for me there is no better adrenaline rush then being able to open up the throttle and know that the odds of being the quickest one on the road are likely in your favor with all that power between your legs LOL! In a more figurative sense, this complements Lesson 7 to live in the moment. Life in the fast lane supports an exciting and eventful lifestyle, especially one that generates wealth and success BUT it depends on what you associate wealth and success with. Cars? Money? Love? Expensive clothes? Happiness? You ultimately choose. For me, I’m in it for the thrill!
Lesson 9. Make Memories to look back on
They say a picture is worth 1000 words and if you know me I should be hired by TMZ because I manage to do a pretty good job of capturing many spectacle moments in my life. Things experienced with my family and friends that allow us to look back, have a laugh or reminisce on all of the memorable events that have occurred in this wonderful life we live. Manage to get ahold of my phone and you'll see what I mean.
Lesson 10. You’re not getting any younger
One of the biggest things I advocate is the simple fact that none of us are getting any younger. Time doesn’t slow down for anyone and we only have one life to live and the limited trips around the sun that we are allowed in our lifetime, so my biggest question to anything is – Why Not? I asked myself this question numerous times when I wanted to get up early and enjoy every breathing moment in NJ when my body tried to keep me in bed. This always resulted in something a little caffeine would fix along with the satisfaction that I am making the best of my short time home. Before Drake wrote the song I was always a fan of the saying "you only live once" then he had to mess it up with his YOLO acronym but its honestly something that everyone should live by.
Lesson 11. Enjoy a good vacation, you deserve it.
I believe that over my past year of being away in grad school I owed it to myself to enjoy a good visit home. After busting my ass all year long with classes, work, starting a business and building a solid plan for myself I have no regrets. Although there seems to be some contradictory things within these lessons I have recognized the next steps of my personal development and know what I need to do to change and make sure that harvest nothing but good vibes and hard work to reach my goals
Circa July 2016.
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