A Letter to My Younger Self Before My First Trip 📖

Dear Younger Thana,

You haven’t taken your first international trip yet. Singapore is waiting. You’ll go with your Maxis colleagues when you’re 23.

In fact, if someone told you that you would one day visit different countries, complete spiritual pilgrimages, run marathons, hike trails, chase waterfalls, and create a travel blog, you would probably laugh.

You would think they were talking about someone else.

After all, you were born into a middle-class family.

Like many families, life revolved around responsibilities, education, and making sure there was enough for everyone.

Travelling overseas was never a priority.

It felt more like a luxury than a possibility.

And there was nothing wrong with that.

That was simply life.

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The World Is Bigger Than You Think

One day, you will discover that the world is much bigger than the places you know today.

You will stand beneath skies filled with countless stars.

You will walk along beaches that once existed only in photographs.

You will stand before temples you only dreamed of visiting.

You will visit places you never thought you would see with your own eyes.

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Talk to People

Talk to people.

Listen to their stories.

Travel will introduce you to people from different backgrounds, cultures, and countries.

Some will become friends.

Some will become unforgettable memories.

Some will cross your path for only a few minutes yet leave an impact that lasts for years.

You will eventually realise that the places are only half the story.

The people are the other half.

Some of the most meaningful parts of your journey will come from unexpected conversations and unexpected friendships.

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More Than the Places

You will go for the places, but you will come home with more than photographs.

It is not about luxury.

It is not about expensive hotels.

It is not about showing people where you have been.

It is about growth.

Growing up, there will be moments when certain experiences feel out of reach.

You will look at some things and quietly think:

“People like us don’t do things like that.”

But life will teach you a different lesson.

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Do Not Be Afraid to Try

One day, you will start saying yes to experiences that once felt beyond your comfort zone.

You will run marathons.

You will complete your first 21-kilometre race.

You will go go-karting.

You will hike trails and chase waterfalls.

You will travel to countries you never imagined visiting.

You will stand before Lord Murugan at all six Arupadai Veedu temples.

You will constantly challenge yourself to see what else is possible.

Not because you are trying to impress anyone.

But because you will become curious.

Curious about what lies beyond your comfort zone.

Curious about what lies beyond your fears.

Curious about what lies beyond the limits you once placed on yourself.

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Appreciate Your Family

Life moves faster than you think.

People grow older.

Moments pass.

Photographs become memories.

And memories become treasures.

Take more photos.

Spend more time with your family.

Appreciate the people who love you.

One day, there will be photos that mean more to you than any destination you have ever visited.

Photos that remind you of people you wish you could spend one more day with.

Trust me.

Those moments will matter more than you know.

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One Day, You Will Write About It

This part will sound impossible.

One day, you will create a blog called Beyond The Horizon.

A place where journeys become stories.

You will write about faith.

Travel. Family. Friendship. Nature. Personal growth.

And all the things that shaped your life.

You will discover that the stories are just as meaningful as the journeys themselves.

And somewhere along the way, you will realise that writing helps you relive those moments all over again.

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Looking Back

When you get the chance, take the trip. You’ll be glad you did.

And take more photos with your family. Those will matter more than you know. ❤️ #tbct