It’s finally hit me, and I’m so glad that it has: the courage to take that leap of faith and embarrass yourself. I don’t mean publicly humiliating yourself, but to take on humility when approaching opportunities.
I realised upon my arrival in Australia, I was not in a good place. I wanted to escape America and the monotonous schedule I had wrapped myself in. I was working hours that seemed like two full time jobs, had a degree to finish, and I was only making bare minimum at that. I travelled and still wasn’t at my happiest. I learned more about my own culture and sensitivity than the cultures I was visiting.
It felt as though at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve, my mentality flipped. My attitude changed toward my social and career life. Maturity, is that you?
With the beginning of the new year, opportunities came like the wind and I found that it was because I just presented myself, nakedly. I didn’t try to come off as an enigma or try to make myself better than I am. I learned to be humble and willing to start from the bottom, no matter where I was experience wise.
I’m finally delving into the journalism medium that I’ve always wanted to do, and I am still pinching myself. It’s that feeling when you’re working in a creative space filled with legends that have been in the game forever, and you just sit there quietly, trying to soak up their brilliance. My editor may criticise my work, but her words are golden to me.
I was working a full time and part time job, along with my internship. Things would’ve been different had I enjoyed that full time position, but at the end of the day, I was miserable. I opened my eyes and quit that job. I had to remind myself why I’m here, and what I want to get out of it. Money is important, and saving is harder than I ever imagined, but I’d rather be happy and get by than have a savings and be in a feral mood. I’ve realised that happiness is what you make out of your situation.
And on that note, I want to take a break from travelling. The constant moving is great but a part of me wants to settle down career wise, and develop myself a little bit more before I throw myself into another year to two year long expedition. Perhaps my mother’s constant nagging words of wanting me to pursue a masters is seeping into my subconscious; not just yet, mother.
On the other hand, I’ve booked a flight out to Fiji to get scuba certified to embark on a different journey; I’ve covered a lot of ground around the world, but now I want to see the world upside down, like a fish, underwater – Bula Bula!!
