The decision has been made. It feels abrupt, but it’s right.
I am working a job that utilises my vast knowledge about food, community and health; if I stay for another five years, my career will excel immensely. However, IF I stay for another five years, my dreams of solo travel will never be realised. I could have stayed there for the rest of my life and been happy, but not the happiest. I am living at home with my family, and I feel like my personal life is not exciting me, and it is quite stagnant. Life started to fly right by me, and I was asking myself, “Where is the time going?”
I announced to my family on a random afternoon that I was packing my bags and leaving soon. The date I decided on was based on the concerts I had already planned to attend during the year. I had MARINA in February, Deftones in May, and The Neighbourhood in July. After critical evaluation and a crack in my heart, I decided to stay only for MARINA, as I wanted to leave as soon as I possibly could.
Thanks to my first solo trip to Singapore, I knew I was ready to quit my job. I worked at a high school, and on my second day back from holidays, I informed my supervisor that I would be resigning. My colleagues were ecstatic for me. All I heard was “I’m jealous” and “I wish I did that when I was younger.” On the other hand, when I informed my students of my resignation, I was met with this sadness that totally threw me off guard. I did not realise the impact I had made on these teenagers, and my heart truly melted. I am grateful for my experience, lessons and relationships that were formed working at that job.
I hung out with all my friends individually and tried to spend as much time with all my loved ones as I could. Ultimately, we focused on just enjoying being in each other’s presence, but also participated in activities that made me fall in love with my city even more, such as eating out and exploring nature. My final goodbye with my close ones was held at MoonDog World, and it was a bittersweet celebration of all the love I am wrapped in and that I will wear when I travel.
Driving to Melbourne airport was the saddest evening I think I have ever experienced. Time was closing in, and the apparent looming over me made me light-headed. This was actually happening, and there was no turning back now.
