Recently, a work associate asked me what is your dream?
It was quite a revelating exercise for me as I reflected on the past decade, and thought about the choices I made, on a personal level, and also on a professional one.
What was or is my dream?
10 years ago while I didn't hate the country I lived in, I was obsessed with leaving this city, obsessed with looking for a new opportunity, terrified that I would finish my life here, and walk the path that was already set out for me - practice law for some years, move in house, meet a boy, get married, get a house, kids and the template goes on. My dream? It was to get out.
5.5 years in London are years that I will cherish all my life. That was my dream. That was what I lived for, that engaged me. That was what I did.
Was there an opportunity cost? Of course. Financially, it was a struggle. But I was happy. This experience helped me understand that money solved many many problems, but it doesn't buy you happiness. I didn't have alot, I did have to worry about budgets, but it provided. It was enough for me to live my dream and be truly happy. I wasn't a lawyer when I started out my life in London, my friends and family thought I was crazy to take a pay cut to move to such an exhorbitant city. I left friends and family behind. I did it, and never looked back.
We moved back some years back, as the stars lined up for that change. I've had recent discussions with Mr Mo, about our future and where we will be, geographically. The idea of leaving this city this time around leaves me with a feeling of apprehension and reluctance and I struggle to put a finger on the source of this worry. I keep asking myself, what happened to my dream?
With all that has happened this year in my personal life (and it is only the beginning of April), what I realised is that I am still living it. It evolved at some point during my time in London. My dream was no longer a new city, the dream became having a life together with Mr Mo. The next change is going to be the great unknown, and a big leap of faith. I've done it before, and I know I am going to have to do it again.
It was quite a revelating exercise for me as I reflected on the past decade, and thought about the choices I made, on a personal level, and also on a professional one.
What was or is my dream?
10 years ago while I didn't hate the country I lived in, I was obsessed with leaving this city, obsessed with looking for a new opportunity, terrified that I would finish my life here, and walk the path that was already set out for me - practice law for some years, move in house, meet a boy, get married, get a house, kids and the template goes on. My dream? It was to get out.
5.5 years in London are years that I will cherish all my life. That was my dream. That was what I lived for, that engaged me. That was what I did.
Was there an opportunity cost? Of course. Financially, it was a struggle. But I was happy. This experience helped me understand that money solved many many problems, but it doesn't buy you happiness. I didn't have alot, I did have to worry about budgets, but it provided. It was enough for me to live my dream and be truly happy. I wasn't a lawyer when I started out my life in London, my friends and family thought I was crazy to take a pay cut to move to such an exhorbitant city. I left friends and family behind. I did it, and never looked back.
We moved back some years back, as the stars lined up for that change. I've had recent discussions with Mr Mo, about our future and where we will be, geographically. The idea of leaving this city this time around leaves me with a feeling of apprehension and reluctance and I struggle to put a finger on the source of this worry. I keep asking myself, what happened to my dream?
With all that has happened this year in my personal life (and it is only the beginning of April), what I realised is that I am still living it. It evolved at some point during my time in London. My dream was no longer a new city, the dream became having a life together with Mr Mo. The next change is going to be the great unknown, and a big leap of faith. I've done it before, and I know I am going to have to do it again.
