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Rough Guide to Bali

Penjor "Hey I am coming to Bali, can you recommend me things to do?" I got that question a lot. I get it, I live in Bali so people would think that I master everything about Bali. Well... 50:50. I happened to travel around Bali since 2017. So it wasn't wrong to assume me knowing Bali. But I am also a lazy traveler so I don't always do many things in one place.  That is why we will call this a rough guide to Bali.  First thing first, define your style of traveling. Because we all know that Bali is an island. Not a city. So it is quite big, you know. You can not explore all of it in two weeks. Well you might be able to do so, but probably not immersing enough of it.  So... what is your style of traveling? Bali offers you some cultures, quiet normal life, party hotspots, quiet beaches, busy beaches, temples, and so on.  Mt Batur West part of Bali (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta) If you enjoy partying, you might want to spend your time more in the west part of Bali like Canggu, ...

Lessons Learned in 2021


2021 is personally not an easy year. It's the year where I questioned my existence as a human being. I thought being a kind person was enough. 

Obviously, I felt insecure when the closest person told me how I was not special, doing less than what I could. That triggered me and I started to ask myself "What am I doing on this earth? What's my purpose as a human? What am I going to do? What do I want to do? What do I want to become? What kind of future do I want? What am I?" 

That person only became the trigger, yet the problems existed inside me. So I realized completely that it was about me, not someone else. There was something wrong with me. When I knew that the problem is me, I seek help. Lucky me (or should I say, unlucky me?), I didn't have those scary nights alone. My best friend went through the same, so we're kinda helping each other. Though the trigger was different we felt the same symptoms and side effects. 

Yea I had those questions for a few months. Oh of course I have my other problems in life, but those are the ones I can solve (relatively) easily. But questioning my existence is a different thing. It was the first time I feel scared of myself, felt insecure. How was that even possible? Part of my confidence was gone. I felt like I was standing on one of my feet. My brain felt so foggy that I couldn't see the problems. What was gone? What did I miss? I felt that there's something missing in my life suddenly. I had a hole in my life.

That until I get to know my soul. The soul that guides me to find the answers. It was like a surprise. I never let anything, anyone steer my decisions. Surprisingly, I surrender to this other soul of mine and let it take over my life. It felt good for the first time after months in a crazy situation. It felt like I have a new set of fresh eyes to see the problems and help me get out of them. To be honest, those points of view are the ones I am afraid to do, yet part of my soul tells me to do that. It didn't feel intimidating, it feels rather encouraging. 

One by one I learn to accept, let go, solve problems, prioritize, everything feels in order again after a long time. I started to feel like myself again, in a better version even. I let go of anger, I am accepting that everything happens for reasons so there's no need for me to overthink that (yet), I feel loved and showered with love, be able to shower other beings with love. That I am okay, I am doing great, and I am loved mostly by myself. 

It may sound cliché but love is really powerful. I don't hate anymore. As someone who gets annoyed pretty easily, I don't feel annoyed anymore (not that easy). Becoming more sensitive about many things let me learn about empathy. Like I said, the overflowing of love I am feeling makes me able to love my partner more, be more conscious and mindful, get the jobs done, be creative, and so on.

Learning to accept things, trust the process more, loving more, surrender... they complete the missing piece. Do I sound like saying bullshit? Maybe, if you haven't felt that yet. Everyone's journey is different, and when you feel this way, remember to stay grounded and let your soul guides you. Think of it as being reborn to be a better version. 

I am still learning and never stop learning. Evolving to be a better human is the best feeling. Moreover, being able to love yourself wholeheartedly is the key to tackling these dark nights. Sure, it's the goal so it's not an easy job to do. But it's not impossible. 

Remember, when you're feeling this way, you're not crazy. You're just going through a life (periodically) test, so when you pass the test it will take you to a higher level in life. It's definitely not easy but worth the journey.

2021 is definitely not an easy year indeed, yet it's one of the best ever. I've found my soul, the soul that is hidden somewhere inside, that guides me, that will always be there for me, that will not judge me, that will always love me. Because that soul is me.

Happy new year, everyone. Let's evolve to be a better human being. 💙

Bali, 31 December 2021. 

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