Para sa batang ako, diyan ka na lang…
If you’re a Filipino, I’m sure you’ve come across this familiar phrase while scrolling through your social media feeds: ‘Para sa batang ako, diyan ka na lang…’ (To my younger self, just stay there…) This expression really resonates with me, and I’m sure many others in my age group (Millennials, represent!) can relate. We are the generation that has witnessed monumental changes in technology, lifestyle, cultural norms, human behavior, environment, and so much more. It’s as if the changes we’ve experienced in our lifetime are equivalent to a century’s worth of transformations. There may be both positive and negative effects on how we perceive life now, but we can’t shake off the feeling of nostalgia when we look back on how simple and worry-free life used to be.
Realizing that our childhood has already expired
Admit it or not, it’s fun to join this trend and many of us did - posting our own continuation versions of the phrase. Some are humorous, but beneath the surface, it’s evident how many individuals long for their younger selves to remain untouched. Because, the present feels like a vast ocean of responsibilities, judgments, and loneliness which constantly threatening to drown us. Simply staying afloat, breathing, and surviving requires every ounce of our energy, making the act of living itself a wearisome task.
Many of us are worn out from fighting our own battles, not sure if we’ll come out victorious in the end, but we have no choice but to keep on surviving. Makes me wonder though, is life really just exhausting because of what we’re going through, or is it because we can’t help but compare it to how things used to be?
In my case, I wasn’t the high-achieving kid that I used to be. In fact, I’ve almost forgotten about her — the confident girl who believed she could ace every academic subject, exam, or practicum. Sometimes, I miss her. I miss the feeling of having everyone’s attention. I miss all the praise and recognition my younger self used to receive. I miss how enjoyable life was before all the tragic changes happened. As I look back on my old self, I find myself placing immense pressure on my current self, constantly urging her to measure up. It’s like I’m constantly demanding that girl to make a comeback. This pressure makes life feel overwhelmingly tough. It feels as though every corner of the universe is conspiring to place me where I don’t want to be and to make matters worse, I’m drowning myself in expectations that were all created by my mind.
Believing that everyone is a work-in-progress
Para sa batang ako…
enjoy ka lang diyan, huwag mong madalihin lahat…
ako ang bahala dito…
aaralin kong lumangoy dito para hindi tayo malunod…
para hindi magtagal makaahon din tayo.
I believe our DNA is hardwired to overcome any hurdles. Some may hit us hard, but eventually, time heals and replaces those scars with new beginnings. Yes, we long for our younger selves, and if given the chance to speak to them, I’m certain we’d gaze at them with affection, assuring them that everything will be alright, encouraging them to savor the moments… to collect all the good memories and embrace life’s adventures.
Despite being weighed down by life’s responsibilities, these experiences also teach us resilience, urging us to confront challenges even when battling invisible demons in our heads. Life teaches us lessons not found in textbooks or articles. It surprises us with gifts that can’t be wrapped. Life is about recognizing that we’re all a work in progress, capable of pivoting at any moment, creating new memories, or pursuing new dreams. And I believed that falling short of what our younger selves dreamed of doesn’t mean that we failed, it’s about showing our younger selves that life is full of opportunities waiting to be seized.