I have quite a time line. If I look back on the last 25 or so years I can see a recurring pattern that manifests as a regular need to make some kind of fundamental change to my world; just to keep things, well… interesting I guess…
Let me show you what I mean…
1985 – Age 17 – Leave school to embark on an adventure working for ‘the bank’ – the BNZ. Yeah, I was yet to learn about REAL adventure…
1988 – Leave New Zealand for the wilds of the American East Coast… epic. epic adventure including near miss with a very, very dubious church (read cult), the worst job I’ve ever had… exploitation and eventually crossing the Atlantic to the UK and Europe… but this period of 3 years living independently abroad was pretty incredible… the great far outweighed the dreadful.
1991 – Leave Europe and return to New Zealand… and leave small town family home to move to Auckland.
1995 – Leave working in childcare environments and move into the marvellous adventure that is Customer Service which included a move from Auckland to Whangarei.
1999 – Leave New Zealand again this time just to cross the ditch for Sydney and a 3 year course in performance vocals.
2001 – Finish my course and start full time work again, this time as an assistant to a music director.
2004 – World shifted significantly as the MD left suddenly and I was left in limbo until I got rescued with a job as Web Princess in the IT department (cue finding my niche.. woah.. only took 20 years). During this period I took on further study and got my Bachelors Degree.
2009 – Leave my full time job and embark on full time study – which coincided with surviving on full time freelancing as well.
2012 – So, now what?
Yeah, that’s the tricky part… that’s the place I’m in right now… I’m so,so itchy for something new, I can barely sit still. But what? What new thing?
I’m completely happy with the work I’m doing, and the prospect of more study is unappealing, really… and for what? I’m not ruling it out in the future… but for now, I don’t see it. What I CAN see is geographic reorganisation… I could move house… that’s incredibly appealing… leaving the flat after 5 years would be a headache… but I’d be leaving the Naked neighbour – THAT would have to be a good thing.
The zone I’m starting to find myself in is the prospect of leaving Sydney. And this is all at once terrifying and exhilarating… so the questions become… what’s to keep me here? and where could I go?
The ties to Sydney are strong, and all about wonderful friends and people I’ve connected with over the years. But these are all that’s left, really. Once upon a time I’d have never considered leaving my church but discovering God as something/someone way bigger than a building means where I go He goes. The fact that the work I do can be done anywhere is incredibly liberating and makes me feel like, right now, the sky’s the limit. Sydney is gorgeous, I absolutely love it, but I’m starting to think about the fact that there are so many other possibilities… and if I had to outline my top 5… these are them.
Am I actually making plans? No, not yet, but I’m entertaining the idea, and truth to tell, living in one of these places has been a recurring thought for at least the last year – probably longer … so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility for things to change before too long.
However, for now, I’ve a number of projects on the go that will preclude anything happening immediately, but I have to say… flirting with the idea of this kind of change is thrilling… feels like the sky’s the limit…
But, for now… to entertain me while I’m entertaining these thoughts.. tell me.. where would YOU go?
I love that you’re entertaining the thought of new destinations. Dreams keep us young and alive. I had hoped of visiting you in Sydney one day, but I can just as easily visit you in any of those lovely locations.
I would love to move, as you well know, but I’m probably going to be where I am until retirement. So my goal now is to save as much as possible and retire as early as possible. Then, my plan is to relocate to the Oregon Coast. I could finally realize my dream of a home by the ocean.
Best of luck if you decide to scratch those itchy feet. Either way, it’s fun to think about, isn’t it? :)
That’s exactly right Debra, totally fun to think about it. And you’d be more than welcome wherever I end up! If in fact I do scratch that itch :) Oh, and the Oregon Coast and Pacific Northwest is just wonderful, I’d LOVE to visit you there!
was going to say, Edinburgh – but then I see that we’re included – you have good taste! as long as you can cope with the climate …
Thanks Chas, it really is a lovely place and I have very dear friends there who moved to Portobello recently. I’d love to come over for an extended visit!! And maybe tie it in with a 3 month language intensive in Bordeaux!! So many great places in the world to dream about!!
You’ve done so much and as I read it, it all sounds so impressive and exciting. I hope you’re not leaving Sydney but of course, that’s only for selfish reasons. I hope you find where you’re meant to be xx
Thanks Charlie, there are of course, no current plans. But it’s fun to dream :)
Edinburgh! That would be an adventure :-)
Sure would!
I love hearing about your life dear Dee: it is so wonderfully filled to overflowing with events and adventures. My prayers and thoughts with you as you ponder the next great adventure.
I’d probably go for Edinburgh [I spent a few days there in 2003]; it seemed modern and historic at the same time if that makes sense, and I enjoyed being there. But any of those 5 places would be wonderful, and hard to choose between [except Melbourne: how can you as a Sydney-sider think of moving there!?!? :) :) :) — seriously though, I love Melbourne: an amazing place].
Thanks Ian, I’m equally glad to keep up to date with your comings and goings and SO glad to hear that Newcastle is proving a positive experience… I’m a bit jealous, I’m really looking forward to shaking SOMEthing up soon!
I’m voting Melbourne ’cause you’d be closer … but we can visit anywhere eh :) …
How great would that be?! I’ve just realised that it’s been 2 years since I visited… at least I think it’s that long and I’m horrified.
So I’ve an alert posted for cheap flights to Launceston and a plan to head over for a couple of weeks, might tap you for keys to the shack for a few days down time and also strongly encourage you to flex some days so we can hang out in Hobart!!!
Im thinking August Sepetemberish… and as I have to be in Melbourne in September for some other thing so might tie in the two… can’t wait!!