The path less taken

Today was the very last day at my office job! A total of 9 years and 3 months to be exact. At the end of the day I handed in my laptop and work things, then walked out the doors of the building for the last time. And just like that, another chapter of my life is done and dusted.📖

Saying I learned a lot these last 9 years is an understatement. I think I got really lucky with my managers, who quietly led by example and were the epitome of calm even through turbulent times. I was encouraged to learn as much as possible, and never once felt like they micro-managed me or doubted my abilities even though I had virtually none to begin with. 🙏

I feel fortunate that I had a team that was supportive and set the benchmark for hard work and integrity. Together we got through many years of reporting cycles, elections, restructures, natural disasters, office relocation, reforms, pandemic, protests, bureaucracy, politics, and more. It's been an overall educational and humbling experience being a public servant. I will look back on this period of my life with so much fondness and gratitude. 🥰

It’s funny because when I was younger, I never saw myself as an office worker. I swore to myself that I would never be chained to a desk and be a drone. I was an anti-government, "anti-system", self proclaimed mischief-maker and rabble-rouser. I was just some punk who wanted to live life on the edge, be some kinda romanticized prize fighter. Instead, I ended up doing the unthinkable and going to uni (bribed by the promise of learning martial arts), joining the army (even though I was a pacifist), and inevitably working for "the man". 😱

Younger me might have said older me sold out, but I don’t think this was the case. I just matured and got over my ignorance, ego, and idealised narrative. I found that the reality of many things is usually completely different from my preconceived assumptions about it. Despite all this, I still felt like I lived a double life and that I couldn’t truly be myself at work for fear of being judged. I hid aspects of myself and what I did outside of work; “toned myself down” for the sake of fitting in. Over time it eroded my sense of self and contradicted my ethos and increasing desire to be unapologetically and authentically me. 🧘🏻‍♀️

So in conclusion, this was not a decision that was made lightly or impulsively. I’ve dreamed about it for many years, and backed out of doing it many times. I didn’t believe I was ready yet, and I probably wasn’t. But I’m finally ready now and I’m extremely excited and slightly terrified of the unknown territories and possibilities ahead. The future is uncertain and no day is guaranteed so that’s even more reason to pursue what you love and break out of the mould that society created for you. There’s no right or wrong way to do it and it had to happen the way it did for me.☝️

It is never too late change careers or your life plan, no matter what age you are. I know some people won’t get it or think I’m blowing up my life, but I also have so many people cheering me on and encouraging me along the way, so thank you all. No matter what happens, I feel like I’m fully taking hold of the wheel now and steering towards joy, self-fulfilment, self-expression, and my purpose. ❤️

So that's it for now. As the late and great Stan Lee would say - Excelsior! ✨️