Embracing Uncertainty
Taking the Leap
It’s been 12 months since I voluntarily left my “successful” 9-5 career in Marketing to pursue my purpose. It was an easy decision just as much as it was the most difficult decision I’ve made. It’s the first time I took a huge leap of faith into the unknown and had to trust that I will be ok. There were no certainties or guarantees that I would be ok, but my heart was calling for more and it was about time I stopped trying to push it down and silence it.
A Familiar Discontent: Seeking More
To give you some context, my partner and I were both in a similar position, feeling unfulfilled in our 9-5 jobs. We knew there was more to life than sitting at a computer for 90% of our weeks, months and years. I even trialled cutting my hours and working 4 days a week for 6 months, but I still felt I was spending a ridiculous amount of time inside working on my computer when there is a whole world out there I could be enjoying. I didn’t come on Earth to sit in the same room in front of a computer all day - I kept thinking to myself.
The Decision to Break Free
Both my partner and I had about $50k in our savings because we both worked full time from our early twenties and weren’t big spenders. Our intention was to increase our savings to eventually have a good house deposit. I think we had both hit our wits end - we knew we didn’t want to work 9-5 anymore but had no idea what else we could do. So when I floated the idea of quitting our jobs and travelling indefinitely it seemed like the next right step. Although it was ridiculously frightening to leave behind a career I worked on for 5+ years, and studied hard at university to get to where I was by the age of 27.
The Journey Unfolds: Embracing the Unknown
It truly didn’t make any logical sense - rent prices were going up but our landlord wasn’t increasing our rent, why would we leave this beautiful spot on the water that’s a 5 minute walk to the beach, would we even be able to find somewhere as nice and at this price when we get back? What will we even do for work when we get back? We’ve just made some new friendships, will we even have friends when we get back? There’s talk of a global recession - will we even be able to afford travelling? What happens if we run out of money? How much will it even cost to travel indefinitely? Do we have enough? Is it really that smart to use all of our hard earned savings when house prices are increasing? How will we build the savings back up again?
Sooooo many fears and what ifs were percolating. Some days they were so strong I wanted to pull the pin and go back to living comfortably. But there was a fire in my stomach that didn’t want to settle for this mediocre life I’d landed into (aka unknowingly created for myself).
Discovering Self-Trust: Lessons Learned
To be honest, it’s the hardest, easiest and best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Not only did I feel the richness of life again, it taught me the biggest lesson that will carry me through the rest of my life: self trust.
The fears and doubts that once plagued me are still there, but they no longer control me. Instead, I've learned to trust myself – my instincts, my passions, and my resilience.
Embracing Your Own Path
As you reflect on my story, I invite you to consider your journey. Are there dreams and desires you've tucked away for the sake of comfort and security? Can you find that spark within you, the one that refuses to settle for mediocrity? The answer may not be the same as quitting your job and traveling the world, but it starts with self-trust. Trust yourself to take the steps needed to craft a life that aligns with your true purpose.
In the end, life's most profound lessons are often learned when we listen to the niggling feeling and trust ourselves. As you contemplate your own path, remember that the power of self-trust can shape your life in ways you've never imagined. I hope this invites you to listen to your heart, embrace the unknown, and embark on your unique journey, fuelled by trust in yourself.