Odessa Zara's

On this cloudy, rain-soaked day, both the sky and my heart seemed to share a melancholy dance. Was it the weather or simply the state of my mind that brought upon such gloom? In the midst of it all, I found solace in the small victories, the moments that brightened my day. The question remained: why did these little things matter so much? As I cooked and cleaned, my thoughts wandered to the tasks that awaited me. Was it a mere coincidence that I finished my shift on time, or was it fate's gentle push that led me to my next adventure? When I took that fiqh class, I couldn't help but wonder: was teaching really the best way to learn? As I shared my knowledge with a friend, I found an answer in the exchange of ideas and the strengthening of bonds. In the company of my dormitory mate, we talked and laughed for hours, making up for the lost time. Was it the rain that had brought us closer, or perhaps the simple realization that we had so much in common? The laughter, a balm for the ...

Ini adalah tulisan tengah malam sembari menunggu waktu memasak sahur. Langsung ke intinya – saya tinggal di asrama dan saya senang dengan kehidupan saya di sini. Tujuan saya terpenuhi: jaringan baru, rutinitas pagi yang produktif, kelas agama, dan lainnya. Namun, ada satu peraturan yang tetap selalu saya patuhi atau kalaupun saya langgar pasti saya jalankan “hukuman”-nya, tetapi menjadi landasan lahirnya tulisan ini. Sebagai catatan penting, saya hanya membicarakan asrama saya di tahun saya, dan saya menyadari asrama-asrama lain memiliki peraturan yang berbeda dengan justifikasi yang berbeda. Catatan penting lainnya adalah bahwa saya tidak berdiskusi lebih lanjut dengan pengurus asrama dan memulai debat, “Kenapa peraturan ini harus ada?” Tujuan saya bukan untuk mengkudeta asrama dan, sekali lagi, saya menerima adanya peraturan ini. Ini adalah apa-apa yang secara apa adanya pandangan saya saja. Peraturannya adalah, pukul 10 malam ialah batas waktu pulang untuk anggota putri, sementara a...

 I asked my successful professor for advice on how to find my passion and maintain consistency, hoping to gain some insight into what seemed like a daunting task. However, his response was simple: "Passion is something I like, just know about it, and consistency is difficult only at the beginning. Just do it." I couldn't help but wonder, is it really that easy? As a writer, I often struggle with motivation and consistency, even though I love what I do. Sometimes, I find myself procrastinating or trying out other things, like singing or dancing, instead of focusing on my writing. It's not that I don't enjoy writing, but sometimes I lack the motivation to start or stay consistent. My professor wasn't wrong, but his perspective didn't fully address the complexity of finding passion and maintaining consistency. While it may seem simple in theory, these things can be challenging to put into practice. I believe finding passion is not always straightforward. It...

 As a young person who values my independence, the idea of being in a serious relationship can be intimidating. How would I maintain my sense of self while also making room for another person in my life? It wasn't until I imagined myself in a relationship that I began to understand the importance of balance. The truth is, being in a relationship means that there are two different individuals with their own lives, interests, and priorities. It's not about sacrificing who I am for the sake of the relationship, but rather finding a way to integrate my personal life with my partner's. This means respecting each other's boundaries, communicating openly, and being mindful of how my actions affect the other person. At first, imagining how to find this balance can be a challenge. I might feel like I have to give up certain activities or hobbies to make time for my partner, or vice versa. However, it's important to remember that compromise is key. I wouldn't have to give...

Opportunity is abundant, but our time and energy are limited. As someone who loves exploring new things and taking on exciting challenges, I know how tempting it can be to say "yes" to every opportunity that comes your way. However, as I've learned from personal experience, trying to do everything at once is not only impossible but can also lead to burnout and stress. Currently, I'm pursuing a fast-track program, which means I'm taking both my bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously, on top of the many responsibilities I already have. While I would love to say "yes" to more opportunities, I realize that doing so would mean sacrificing the things that are already important to me. So, what can we do to avoid FOMO (fear of missing out) and choose wisely for happiness? Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Recognize that opportunity is abundant, but your time and energy are not Imagine you're at an all-you-can-eat buffet. The food is endles...