It takes time to be emotionally mature and secure enough to know where you stand and what or who you truly deserve, even if it means walking away from something good. I had to let go of my second date as I knew I wasn't the one for her, nor was I the one for her (for privacy reasons, I will not disclose why). She was a great woman, and I truly wish the best for her in life, the fact that I had to make a podcast episode out of this just goes to show how great of a person she is, but at the same time, I have to do what's best for me.

To achieve any endeavour, one requires a plan to increase the odds of completing it. But planning alone just won't cut it. You need the why to keep going on the toughest days and discipline to hold yourself accountable.

If I could go back in time and meet 18-year-old me, I'd tell him just the three pieces of advice I've held onto that's helped me through the toughest challenges I've gone through.

Dedicated to the curious ones. It's interesting how all the lessons I learnt from the failed talking stages, situationships, dates, and even a relationship helped define my current dating standards. If there's one thing you can take away, it's this: Never settle for anything less than you deserve.

Not everything will go according to plan, and such is life. If you're job hunting like I am, you know the market has been relentless and unforgiving.

But instead of focusing too much on the things you can't control, why not save time, energy and effort on the things you can control to turn your life around for the better eventually? Easier said than done, I know, but the moment you accept the uncontrollable is when you start taking control.

Time changes, people. As you grow older, you realize not everyone was meant to stay, and it may very well be a harsh reality to accept, especially if they're your family or close friends. But time stops for no one, and I know it's hard, but sometimes you have to let go of the old to make room for the new, better things and people to enter your life.

You know how any Netflix series starts with a slow build-up in the first few episodes before dropping the jaw-dropping episode that hooked us to the end? Picture that on repeat, and that pretty much sums up life. Looking back at my running journey and building this podcast gives perspective on how the dynamics have to change to get you onto the next stage of growth and why it was necessary.

"It's just running; it's not that deep," they say. Tell them to train, run a half marathon, and see how their minds change. Running my first half marathon was a privilege I will never take for granted. It's crazy how a year ago I could barely run 3 km and how four months ago I was hospitalized for appendicitis and somehow ran a sub 1:42 half marathon last weekend. Running is more than you think; it's what teaches you to just keep at it.

Everyone's always chasing something, but not everyone sees the end of it. To go any distance, you need to find the core reason why you want to go from the get-go; that's how you build consistency regardless of the days when you don't feel like it. So be the one who keeps at it to the end.

"When we plan, God laughs." This pretty much sums up the near-ending year. Though planning helps create direction, you won't always be on the ideal path; there will be twists and turns, but maybe there's a reason.