“And suddenly you just know … it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.”
– Meister Exhart

It’s officially been a year and a half living in Australia.

When I planned on coming down here, I thought it would maybe be for eight or ten months. I told my family this when I left. I said it when I got here and was backpacking, and even in conversations with people I met. It was something I set my mind to and I didn’t think much of it.

Having a plan made me comfortable you know? It made me know that I am here for a certain amount of time and when I’m finished – I would simply go home. Though as time went on, and even as I sit here and write this blog – I’ve realized, I’m not finished.

It’s been a wild ride, to say the least, but one that I would go on again. My time in Australia has taught me more about myself in a year and a half than my whole life. It has challenged me and pushed me and made me step outside the familiarity of the only place I knew, home. It has been one of the most eye-opening experiences I have ever had. However, I am now realizing that this isn’t necessarily an experience, it’s my life.

It’s a life that I want to continue living. It’s a life that makes me happy and it’s a life that I never knew was possible.

I have learned to be selfish; I have learned to take care of myself and go after my dreams. By no means do I say this in any condescending way, but it’s the first time in what feels like my whole life that I am starting to put myself first.  To put my priorities, my dreams, and my life at the top.

Being in a new country has allowed me to see new things, meet new people, and get an extremely different perspective on so many areas of my life.

In today’s society, there is this CONSTANT pressure to succeed and who we are supposed to be and where at 18, 25, and 50. It’s when I did get out of all that noise that I was finally able to breathe and see life a little more clearly, and a little more beautiful.

I never felt like I was running away from something, but instead running towards something new. New opportunities, new friends, new jobs, new adventures, and new love.

Meeting people from all different backgrounds of all ages has taught me one thing – and that is to live the life that you want.

NOW my time in Australia hasn’t all been good. There have been some weeks and even months that have been mentally really tough for me. Living through a global pandemic on the other side of the world was challenging to say the least.  BUT it taught me one thing, and that is gratitude.

Gratitude is a gift. It has helped my mental and physical health, it’s reduced stress, enabled me to become more appreciative, strengthened relationships, and changed my perspective on life.

Life is so short and so unpredictable, and I think because I’m older now and honestly have gone through a situation like this, it has opened up my eyes that anything can happen.

It made me look at life differently and want to seize every moment. To take advantage of everything life has to offer and live my life to its full potential. To take risks, to say yes to new opportunities and to step outside my comfort zone. Doing this has been fundamental for my personal development and has helped me move into that next phase of my life.

There has been nobody down here to hold my hand or guide me – it’s been all me.

There have been challenges and obstacles living in Australia, and times I almost gave up, but they only made me stronger. I have learned to take responsibility for my own life where through this I have learned things about myself I never knew. I have gained confidence and comfort in knowing that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I have grown immensely and live my life unapologetically me.

I haven’t changed, I just found myself.

Thanks for reading – Reflection Piece: A Year And A Half Living In Australia

Other Personal Blogs:
What I learned My First Three Months Travelling Alone
Living Through A Global Pandemic: My Story

Rose x