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Well how things change… and how some simply don’t.I had almost forgotten about this blog until recently. Clearly the big adventure didn’t eventuate, but more about that later. Funny how the universe simply has its own plans, irrespective of yours.
A quick catch up:
However, due to some insanity in my employment, it was with much heartache and many a night in tears wondering if it would ever really occur. Big shoutout right here to my lecturers, who really pulled me though those last units and yes, that is me, with Australia’s former prime minister (we’ve had a few in recent times) and Australia’s FIRST female prime minister, Julia Gillard!
My work situation changed dramatically. Suddenly (as in overnight) I found myself unemployed and owed a substantia amount of money (& benefits) from an employer who suddenly cleared out of town irrespective of the employees or clients who were seriously left wanting.
As a result, I suddenly found myself at a crossroads; either move on to another option, or try and pick up the pieces and patch this business back together. I had clients in tears, staff who were furious and a degree that was only months from completion. Plus, the opportunity of a business that was essentially, free.
Oh what to do. This was absolutely NOT in the plan. AT ALL.
I decided that I should give the business a go, but to be honest, it wasn’t what I wanted. I was planning on leaving as soon as my degree was completed (I had already started interviewing at other positions) and the direction the business was in I really had no interest in at all. Not an ideal situation, granted.
However, when given lemons, make lemonade and off we went.In this period as well, the youngling B had also made an announcement; he was getting serious cold feet about the whole nomad adventure around the world. In the midst of my ongoing planning, culling and organising, it suddenly hit home to him all that he would be leaving and I think he simply got scared off by it all. Our adventure was never about me, the parent, making the choice to go and him simply lumping it. This was always a joint decision and it was always made clear that should one of us not want to, we needed to communicate that.
So after many discussions and countless compromises, it was decided that the backpacking adventure was off, in its current format anyway. Although I was quick to add that in a few years time, he may well be kicking himself for that choice… only time will tell on that one.
Then another hurdle presented, my eldest E, wanted to come back to live with B and I. E was now a very rambunctious 14 year old with some challenging issues and coupled with just finishing my degree and a very new business – as well as my inability to clone myself, I was suddenly an incredibly busy person. With an additional and immediate need; we now needed to move in order to accomodate E back into the fold, full time. Easy, right?!?
So now the complexities only intensified and to be perfectly honest, travelling was so far from reality, I could’ve cried – if only I had the time.
Now let’s fast forward 36 months ahead, so much has happened and so much awaits!I no longer have my business, it isn’t a sad thing it is good – you should never do what you aren’t passionate about. Plus the lack of flexibility simply was not compatible with my ever increasing complex life. Plus I had been doing this line of work for almost 20 years – ENOUGH!
I fund my life now primarily through driving for Uber. The flexibility is phenomenal and right now, its what works for me. When it doesn’t, I’ll do something else. Yes, it really is THAT simple!
Backpacking around the world on a continual basis, it isn’t and not all are international trips, but being lucky enough to live somewhere as vast as Australia, means it would be positively criminal not to seek out our own backyard.
But boy, have we had some fun! Advertisements Share this:
