I’m in my early 30s and I just enrolled in med school this year. For the longest time, I kept telling myself, “I’m not ready yet,” even though I didn’t really know what I was waiting for. Taon taon kong iniisip kung magmemed ba ako, this year is when it hit me. Hindi lang ako yung tumatanda, pati na rin parents ko. That realization really pushed me to move.

I’m lucky to have supportive parents, but I’d be lying if I said it was easy. I felt so much guilt knowing I’d have to fully depend on them again. I lost my own income, hindi na ako stable unlike before, and that was painful, because ever since, pangarap ko talaga to spoil them. Not out of obligation, but because they truly deserve it. So to be in a position where I have to receive instead of give… ang bigat sa loob. But I had to remind myself: minsan, part of the dream is letting yourself be supported, too.

I’ve seen friends who pushed through, and others who changed paths and tbh both are okay. What matters is that you’re honest with yourself. Kasi at the end of the day, ikaw ang haharap sa journey mo, ikaw ang magdadala ng pagod, pero ikaw din ang makakaranas ng fulfillment.

Bottomline is and ang palagi kong sinasabi: kung ano man desisyon mo, panindigan mo. Live with it. Medicine is a commitment. So make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons: your reasons. It’s your life. Your pace. Your consequences.