After nearly a decade working in tech, I wasn’t entirely surprised when AOL issued me a pink slip. In many ways, it was a relief–for all the time spent in those hallowed halls and on the Ploum couch in our marketing huddle, vast chunks of my life are a complete blur.
Truth: I had yet to decide what I wanted to do next.
Taking a break from your career has the potential to reveal the possibilities and unexpected pathways life has to offer. Although it takes a moment to discern the feasibility of time and finances, the only thing left is taking a leap of faith once you do.
Faith in oneself reveals a courageous heart. So I bravely booked a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia. The plan was to discover new and unfamiliar places, specifically Siem Reap, Cambodia; Vietnam; Bali & Java, Indonesia, while reacquainting myself, well, with myself.
Truth: I had forgotten how to be brave. It takes nerve to travel and willingly spend time alone with your thoughts and feelings. My two-month sojourn surfaced memories of who I wanted to be but also honored the person I had become.
Each day presented a gift or a lesson.
- Look for the beauty in every day. Every Balinese day begins with offerings for the gods in exchange for protection or prosperity. It’s hard to miss the colorful trays on the sidewalks outside storefronts, hotels, and temples filled with saffron and jasmine petals, coconut and banana leaves, incense, rice, and sweets.
- Take things in stride. Enchanted by the idea of overnight train travel, I booked The Reunification Line in Vietnam. The cars felt like a prison cell block, with metal cots, frigid temperatures, and an occasional roach sighting. Something is bound to go awry; lean into it.
- Practice gratitude. Be positive and thankful. Cambodians are still rebuilding after suffering genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. And yet, every person I met warmly welcomed me to their homeland, sharing their stories and circle of friends. Some of my most precious memories were receiving their kindness with grace.
- Take time to LISTEN. During my yoga retreat, I woke to monks chanting in the distance, the wind rustling through bamboo trees. There is much to learn if you are brave enough to listen: to yourself, to the people around you, to the sounds of nature, and even to the silence.
- Be present in every moment. I spent countless hours exploring the ancient temples and ruins of Angkor Wat, marveling at its architectural magnificence. That first sunrise, I could feel the souls of every being that had come before walking beside me. When traveling solo, experience life at your own pace.
Everything everyone says about time is true; it waits for no one — something we lose sight of in the busyness of our lives. Between school, career, and family, we acclimate to our life and sometimes forget to nurture our dreams. Don’t you think it’s about time you rediscover yours?
Leave a Reply