Kelly and I will soon be embarking on a career break, a conscious decision to step outside the familiar, safe confines of corporate life in Singapore. This isn’t just about escaping; it’s about diving headfirst into the unknown. It’s about challenging myself, pushing past my comfort zone, and discovering what lies beyond the horizon. Even if it doesn’t pan out perfectly, at least we’ll know we dared to try.
The world is so vast, and frankly, Singapore is just a tiny dot on its magnificent canvas. We’re yearning to see more, to truly experience slow travel, savoring each moment and appreciating the nuances around us. Imagine living overseas, embracing a slower pace, perhaps cooking with local produce, and simply enjoying the different seasons. This journey is, in essence, a quest to find my ikigai – that sweet spot where purpose, passion, and profession converge.
What I Hope to Achieve: Beyond the Itinerary
At the core, this break is about two things:
- A Shared Adventure: To create an unforgettable adventure with my wife, something we can look back on decades from now and be genuinely glad we took the plunge.
- Personal Evolution: To grow as a person, to shed preconceived notions, to be more open-minded, and to appreciate the intricate beauty of the world around us.
The Shadows of Doubt: Confronting My Fears
Even with all this excitement, the human mind inevitably wanders to what if?
- The Grand Unknown: My biggest fear is simply not knowing how it will all turn out. The uncertainty is both thrilling and unsettling.
- The Financial Drain: While we’re largely stable, the fear of finances dwindling too quickly, of the well running dry, is a persistent background hum.
- The Temptation of Retreat: What if, after all this, we discover that stepping outside our comfort zone is just… too much? The allure of the “default safe (but boring) path” is real, and the thought of wanting to retreat back to it lingers.
These fears are natural, part of the process of embracing something new. But by acknowledging them, I hope to navigate them, learn from them, and ultimately, find peace and fulfillment on this unbeaten path.