For the first time in 16 years, I’ve stepped away from the fast-paced routine of my career. From working as a radio announcer to serving as a civil servant and diplomat for 12 years, I was constantly busy and driven by targets. Now, I’m embracing something entirely different—slow living.

This chapter of my life began with a significant decision: leaving the structured 9-to-5 world behind and relocating to Malang without a specific plan or timeline. At first, this shift felt disorienting. I questioned my productivity, my purpose, and even my identity. But as the days passed, I began to see the beauty in simply being.

Slow living, for me, means letting go of rigid schedules and societal expectations. I start my mornings without an alarm, enjoy yoga and meditation, write, create content, and connect with people from diverse backgrounds—like a becak driver or the locals I meet during a walking tour. These small, seemingly insignificant moments have brought richness and depth to my days.

This transition hasn’t been easy. There are times when I feel unproductive or even question why I’ve taken this path at 37, while others around me seem to have their lives figured out—thriving careers, families, and stability. But I’ve realized that comparing my journey to theirs only diminishes the value of my own.

In 2025, I’ve chosen to let go of expectations. My only wish is for this year to be lighter than the last—a year marked by unmet goals and challenges. Now, I focus on the present, embracing each day as it comes, without a need to prove anything to myself or others.

This journey is about appreciating the little things, accepting the uncertainty, and finding joy in the unfamiliar. It’s about redefining what success and fulfillment mean to me. And while I don’t have all the answers yet, I trust that this new chapter will lead me to something meaningful, one step at a time.