September 23rd, 2026
I burnt the bridges in November 2025. Took a gap semester, broke my parents hearts, and shocked my perfect track record on paper.
I mean how could you blame me, I was itching, hungering, RAVAGING to chase my dreams. If I had 2 options to choose from, it was either chase my dreams or find myself hanged in my own apartment 3 months down along the line
But nearly a year later, on my second gap semester self sustaining myself in San Francisco to chase my dreams,
The itching, hunger, and ravaging began to diminish. It felt like maturing in a way, but I still didn’t understand why I didn’t feel the same fire I once had
Should I continue? Should I return to the safer path? What should I do?
But these were the wrong questions to be asking
because when I burnt the bridges the choice was made, and now I am here to understand why I made it.
Why am I chasing my dreams? Why should I go through all this pain? Why should I continue?
And day by day, ever so slowly, I learn why.
~ ethangwang