The Power of Celebrating Endings
By Evelyn Chen

They say everything good has an expiry date and that great days will eventually end. When that happens, we are asked to reflect and learn from them.

But I say this: everything bad has an expiry date too. Bad days also end. So why do we only pause to learn when good things pass? Why don’t we celebrate when the difficult chapters finally close?

It’s easy to thrive when everything is comfortable, nice and warm. Even bacteria love these conditions. But surviving harsh environments? That takes an entirely different skill set.

Yes, the world can be cruel. Life is often unfair. But here’s what I’ve learnt: with planning, perseverance, determination and hard work, you can survive whatever environment you find yourself in.

I don’t just say this. I lived it.

I led a very sheltered life growing up. My father was strict; rules for everything, structure always, freedom rarely. So, when I finally left for college at 17, I was like a bird released from a cage into an endless sky, utterly bewildered about which direction to fly.

You would think there would be guidance. A roadmap. Something.

But no. I was thrown into the deep end and expected not just to survive, but to excel. Fear doesn’t even begin to describe what I felt.

I was placed in an apartment called “My Place” (yes, really), sharing space with seven other girls from Ipoh. My roommate, Kit Yee, was quiet, cautious and like me, fairly innocent.

The other girls? Bolder. Streetwise. Confident in ways we were not. And we were so grateful for them. They showed us the ropes of college life; social situations, freedom and all the grey areas in between.

I made decisions constantly, hoping each choice wouldn’t lead me astray. Because success was not negotiable. My father was not the kind of man you could negotiate outcomes with.

I swotted and swotted, ensuring I stayed erudite and ensuring my success was paved with nothing but beautiful beds of roses, rainbows and sunshine. I worked harder than I had ever worked before. I stayed disciplined, focused and out of trouble; though trust me, it required massive effort.

Coming back from a party at 3 am and dragging myself to an 8 am class? Anything but easy. But that’s where perseverance and sheer grit came in.

This continued through university, where I faced new obstacles (another story for another time). But the principle remained: when I was afraid and far from home, I reminded myself to just survive this chapter. Make it through. Because I knew that even the darkest chapters will eventually end.

If you are in a challenging position right now; struggling at work, going through a difficult relationship, facing stress, feeling lost; please hear this: This too shall pass.

I promise you.

Bad environments, toxic situations, overwhelming seasons, they all have expiry dates. They might not end as quickly as we would like, but they do end.

All we have to do is breathe. Work harder. Persevere. And repeat. Daily. Until we see that bright light at the end of the tunnel.

One step at a time, we will get there.

When something good ends, we mourn and reflect. When something bad ends, we often just… move on. We don’t pause. We don’t celebrate the survival.

But we should.

Surviving something difficult is worth celebrating. Making it through when you didn’t think you could? That deserves recognition.

So, the next time something bad finally ends; a terrible job, a painful season, a difficult phase, don’t just sigh with relief. Stop. Acknowledge it. Celebrate it. You survived!

And that, in itself, is powerful.

You don’t always need to thrive. Sometimes, survival is enough. Sometimes, just making it through is the victory.

Stay strong. Stay motivated. Keep walking.

One step at a time, you’ll get there.

xx

 

Words to learn

bewildered- completely confused or puzzled; disoriented; unsure which direction to take

perseverance- continued effort and determination despite difficulties or opposition; persistence

negotiable- open to discussion or modification; able to be changed through agreement

swotted- study very hard or intensively, especially for an examination; to cram

erudite- having or showing great knowledge or learning; scholarly; well-educated

disciplined- showing controlled behaviour and orderly conduct; self-controlled; maintaining focus and structure

grit- courage, resolve and strength of character; perseverance and passion for long-term goals; toughness

overwhelming- very intense or overpowering; too much to handle; emotionally or physically crushing

acknowledge- to accept or admit the existence or truth of something; to recognise and appreciate

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Your English learning journey starts here. Call/WhatsApp: 010-395 3067 or email us at info@ilti.edu.my.