Something About Myself

The inspiration for this piece actually came from a film: “A Year in Pursuit of Love,” a movie familiar to many. Contrary to its title, it does not tell the story of a young woman searching for love; instead, it follows her journey of becoming someone entirely different with every checkmark she makes on a list she must complete after her mother’s death, in order to claim her inheritance.

Building on this, I wanted to reflect on how our dreams and goals can change as we grow older and our character evolves—but more importantly, how profoundly these changes can shape us. Each of us, as children, undoubtedly had dreams that now seem absurd but at the time felt immense and unattainable. For instance, wanting to become a character from an animated film you watched. Yet among these dreams, there are always some that felt achievable “when I grow up.” My concern lies precisely with these dreams.

Take hold of your own list, like Alex Rose, the film’s main character, and pursue those dreams without fear or shame. If you don’t have one, that’s fine—create a new list and fulfill every item on it. Have you never climbed a mountain but now want to? Then climb it and mark it off. As you move forward and look up at the sky—or out at the sea—let your memories be what comes to mind. If, in those moments, you vividly recall joyful, melancholic, amusing, thrilling, and above all, meaningful memories that make you say, “I’m glad I did that,” then you have succeeded. That, to me, is what matters. Just like in those American teen dramas we admired: we must become role models for the generation after us, lighting the way for their own steps toward being themselves. This is the most effective—and even the most enjoyable—way to discover who we are.

Don’t wait—take a pen and paper, write it down, and make it happen. With every checkmark, take one more step toward being yourself.