Merdeka!

31st August 2025 marks Malaysia’s 68th Independence Day, and this year the celebration feels a little more personal to me.

Last July, I found myself unemployed for a month and a half after being scammed. At first, the thought of being “free” from an awful workplace felt like liberation, almost like my own Merdeka. But that sense of freedom was short-lived when reality kicked in. Bills still needed to be paid, and I had to face the uncertainty of job hunting all over again.

It wasn’t easy. There were moments where I felt like I was on the verge of losing it. But Alhamdulillah, I managed to hold myself together. After weeks of searching and endless applications, I finally landed a new job. It’s in a field that feels familiar, though not one I was deeply involved in before, but maybe that’s exactly what I need right now: a new beginning with a touch of comfort.

This, to me, is my Merdeka moment. Not just about finding a job, but about freeing myself from invasive thoughts, self-doubt, and the weight of uncertainty. It’s about choosing to move forward, to be better for myself and, hopefully, for others too.

As we celebrate this 68th year of independence, I pray that everyone out there finds their own Merdeka. May you be freed from whatever struggles, challenges, or problems you’re facing. And may God ease your journey.

Selamat Hari Merdeka, Malaysia.