Chapter 1: The Year of Reflection

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by challenges, much like the popular myth that ostriches bury their heads in the sand when threatened. I, too, spent an entire year avoiding my issues, metaphorically hiding my head in the dirt. It felt much easier to dodge my problems than to confront them head-on.

During this time, I neglected many important aspects of my life, including my writing. It has been nearly a year since I last published an article or engaged in any serious writing endeavors. While I did experience significant life changes, like getting married, this reflection isn’t about my married life; it’s focused on discovering what truly ignites my passion.

What did I actually do during that year? To be honest, the first six months were consumed by wedding preparations. Planning a wedding proved to be more challenging than the marriage itself, requiring immense time and energy.

Through this journey, I learned a fundamental truth that many people already know: it is entirely possible to have multiple passions. Although I might have been aware of this concept, it took me time to grasp the depth of my interests. Moreover, having a passion doesn't necessarily mean you’re inherently skilled at it; it indicates a willingness to work hard and develop your abilities.

For the subsequent six months, I dedicated myself to research and introspection. After countless lists and reflections, I pinpointed my true loves: reading, writing, and coding—my inner nerd began to shine through.

I explored various interests and career paths, and I quickly realized that returning to activities I love brings me immense joy. When I finally opened my Kindle after a long hiatus, I was thrilled to devour nearly half a book in one sitting. This rekindled my love for reading.

Despite my long absence from writing, I found myself missing it dearly. Even the thought of editing seemed exciting again. While I may not yet excel at writing, I am eager to improve and reach my goals. I understand that mistakes will be a part of this learning journey, and I’m ready to embrace them.

Coding holds a special place in my heart, second only to my husband (who will surely read this). My passion for coding ignited back in 2013 when I first encountered the phrase #include<iostream.h> and the classic "hello world" program. Even if a coding job isn't in my future, the joy of learning is what truly matters.

It took me five years to acknowledge my love for coding, despite having studied Computer Science. I pursued coding for six years, loving every moment, only to abandon it for a job in administration that left me unfulfilled.

After a year of reflection, I realized I missed coding and despised my job, but I thought it was too late to return. I was wrong. Here I am, five years later, diving back into CSS, Java, and Data Structures!

Looking back, I can hardly comprehend why I ever left something I cherished. I loved coding from the very start, especially when learning to write my first "hello world" program.

Now, I've finally lifted my head from the dirt, dusted off my coding knowledge, and I’m preparing to switch careers when I’m ready. The good news is that I’ve successfully completed my first step: I learned CSS properly for the first time. Kevin Powell has proven to be the best CSS instructor I’ve encountered throughout my education.

I enrolled in Kevin Powell’s 15-hour Responsive Web Design course on Scrimba. It took me about two weeks to complete, juggling it with my tedious job, but I finally did it! I celebrated my achievement (as Kevin suggested) and proudly shared my newfound knowledge, including understanding what ‘position: absolute’ means—a significant milestone for me.

Learning a new skill while working is challenging, especially as I also want to focus on my writing and consider pursuing a master’s degree in computers. This upcoming year or two will be packed with busy days, regardless of whether I pursue my master’s.

Though it’s tough, it’s certainly worthwhile, and I’m determined never to abandon writing again. Expect to see more of my work in the future!

Feel free to connect with me on Twitter; I’d love to hear from you!

Chapter 2: Finding Guidance Through Experience

In this video, "How Taking a Gap Year Prepared Me for College," the speaker shares insights on the myths surrounding gap years and how they can lead to personal growth and clarity.

The second video, "How to Spend a Gap Year," offers practical tips and ideas on making the most of a gap year, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and exploration.