5 Years, 3 Dreams 🥰

To the outside world, being able to embark on a Work Holiday Visa at the ripe old age of 30 is a perhaps rarely heard of. 30 is the age where:

🤍 people get married and start a family

🤍 people thrive and peak in their careers

🤍 most bask in happiness of new houses and loved ones

I recognise that it’s indeed a blessing to be able to fulfil this dream of living Down Under, a dream I had since my university years.

But it involved decisions, some harder than the rest.

For 4 years, I was in my dream job, working 10 hours a day but it was the happiest I ever had been. Everyday posed a different challenge, brought a different smile, but satisfaction was quite a guarantee. Teaching was my dream job since I was a kid, and honestly, I was envious of myself to be able to land in it right after graduation. You know what they say about ‘it’s the saddest thing to realise you’re not good at what you’re passionate in?’ I lucked out - it was Ikigai for me, marrying passion with abilities 🥹

Then I took a leap of faith to leave my dream to work on an aspirational one. That was the hardest and most difficult decision- to leave my dream job at the peak of it all. But it was necessary. I wanted, and still want to dabble in the L&D space, so I looked out of teaching. That year was humbling. It was only 25% L&D, but this job pushed me out of my comfort zone. Transferable skills? Definitely 💯. The stress was lesser but so was the meaning I found in it. So many times, I wanted to throw in the towel and go back to Teaching, but I told myself ‘stay for the skill sets’ 🙂

Turning 30 was the push to go for the WHV. A job like my previous wasn’t emotionally too fulfilling anyway and nothing could be worse than having already quit my dream job. So, off I went to pursue the dream of living in 🇦🇺. While I wouldn’t call them sacrifices, it is still true that I can only watch from afar as friends build homes, start families and spend precious time with loved ones.

I will never recover the time lost with loved ones back home, but this is just how time works. I cannot make the decision to experience a dream and at the same time, not miss out on life moments with friends and family. I might one day look back and wonder how different relationships might have been if I didn’t spend this one year away, but I might also wonder how life would have been different if I had this experience. 😬

#MyPOV #RealTalk

2025/9/27 Edited to

... Read morePursuing your dreams later in life can feel both exhilarating and daunting. Turning 30, I faced many tough decisions—leaving a job I loved and stepping into the unknown. From this experience, I learned that following your passion requires resilience, embracing discomfort, and appreciating growth beyond comfort zones. If you’re considering a similar journey, remember that career changes don’t have to happen early in life. It’s never too late to pivot and pursue what truly excites you. Practical planning and emotional readiness are key—whether it’s applying for a visa, saving funds, or mentally preparing to spend time away from loved ones. Living abroad also means adapting to new cultures, routines, and challenges. But these experiences allow you to develop invaluable skills and perspectives. With each step, you build fortitude and self-awareness that enrich your life both personally and professionally. Lastly, it’s normal to miss milestones back home, but those sacrifices often shape your story and broaden your worldview. Reflect on your dreams and fears, and let your experiences guide you toward a fulfilling future. Keep chasing your dreams—one step at a time.

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