January 5th by: Nina Liza

Today is January 5th, 2026

I just got off FaceTime with my nephew

Before our call, I talked to my landlady

I paid her my rent and utilities for the month

Over my 4 years of stay in my apartment

We have bonded over sharing stories

And talking about public affairs

She shared, if she knew then what she knew now,

She will not get married, she will not have children

And she will spend all her life earnings 

Traveling the world and creating memories

And she will not regret one bit of it

I have been sitting with her words - pondering

I am approaching my 28th year in this world

I am unmarried, I do not have any children

I am in my 4th year of law school

I have a good job that pays well and

I have travelled to some parts of the world

In contrast, I am living the life she yearns for

And she is right, if she had my life 

She will not regret one bit of it, because I do not

Sure, there are tons of bad decisions 

I have made along the way, but it is part of life

Those decisions helped me understand “me”

However, the Universe has a funny way

Of showing us our path and where we end up

Maybe if she knew then what she knew now

And she had my life, she will resent it too

Hyper-independence is exhausting

And can eventually drive you to burnout

Maybe if she had my life, she will wish to get married

Have children, then grandchildren, and then more

I sure do, I wish that for myself, so badly

Maybe because I have pondered over what she said

I want the domesticated life, a husband who loves me

And the cute, adorable children running around

Life is messy, complicated and cruel

But it is yours, it is yours to do as you please

You can wish for things or work hard for it

Then imagine scenarios that fits your vision

Curate the life you want, one pink plate at a time

Schedule flights to places you have only seen on TV

Eat the food you can barely even pronounce

Sunbathe in the equator without sunscreen

Ice bath in the arctic with the polar bears

Learn to play a musical instrument in your 30s

Learn a new language or learn sign language

You have to understand, communication is a love language

Now, whatever you do with your life

Do yourself a favor and make sure 

It is something that your older self

Will definitely thank you for…