So I've heard countless times over and over again that "life is not about the destination but about the journey," or some variation of that. And I usually brush it off as just people trying to encourage me to follow my dreams and blah blah blah. And don't get me wrong, I appreciate when people encourage me to follow my dreams, I really do. However, I feel that without your own personal drive, you can't go very far on others' kind words. With this being said..

I found a, for lack of better words, a hobby. Something I loved to do and something that I found I was decently good at while still providing me with the challenge I craved in life. I found it made me happy and for the first time in a while, made me feel beautiful. I found I was good at some things and lacking in others, so I found myself working on those things to improve them. And then, life got in the way.

School go busy and I couldn't find the time to devote to my hobby anymore. It hurt me. I allowed myself to get into a slump where everyday felt the same. Like a chore. I no longer looked forward to my hobby because I couldn't actually find the time to do it. And I was disappointed crossing off the days on my calendar since I last went. Despite encouraging words from those around me and people telling me I should really go back, I couldn't find the motivation within myself to go.

Then. Last night - I went back. I started my hobby again and found I remembered almost everything. Sure, things were rocky, but I pushed through them and the feeling was incredible. And now, I can't wait to go again.

I guess my message to everyone reading is to find your motivation, find your encouragement and don't rely on others to bring it out of you. Use the encouragement and words from loved ones to help realize your own potential but know that the drive comes from within yourself, nobody else. The journey is a hard one, but it's the most exciting part. So to those I listened to but never actually listened to..you were right. Life really isn't about the destination but the journey and from now on, I'm going to enjoy the journey because I'll never get another one like it.