Stepping out of that office building for the last time as a full-time employee was, well, a classic mix of emotions – you know, the whole bittersweet package. Sure, there was a touch of nostalgia nipping at my heels, but mostly, I was riding high on the sheer thrill of what lay ahead.
The weeks following my grand exit felt refreshingly weightless. It was as if those familiar four walls had folded away like a collapsible dollhouse, unveiling a world of endless possibilities beyond.
With my resignation plans officially proclaimed, I felt an urge to defend them to others, to prove that I wasn’t purely acting on impulse. I had to make it clear: this wasn’t some impulsive leap; I had plans, savings, and a plethora of side projects in the pipeline. I even had a rehearsed spiel for those curious about my post-employment ventures: “I’m diving into writing a book!” “Planning an exhibition!” “And plenty more on the horizon!”
Desperation lurked beneath the surface, an immense fear of being perceived as lazy.
On a Christmas Eve in Berlin, my friends Maso and Daniela roped me into a festive house party at theirs, brimming with colleagues from the ad game. Honestly, I was sweating bullets at the thought of introducing myself to this crowd. In our world, titles and agency affiliations are worn like badges of honor, more memorable than your own name sometimes, and I worried how I’d measure up sans job.
No longer able to lean on my tried-and-true introduction, “I’m Shelley, Creative Director at XYZ agency,” I cautiously revealed my hiatus plans, bracing for judgment. To my surprise, there was warmth and even a few congratulations tossed my way – perhaps fueled by the generous flow of wine. And as the conversations dissipated into pure holiday cheer amidst numerous other party topics, I realized I had been stressing out over nothing.
I rode on this feeling of calmness (not the wine-induced kind) onto the plane and well into the New Year. I would be leaving Berlin for two months and heading to Costa Rica to spend time with my parents, ready to tackle my sabbatical list of goals.
To hazy AND
COLORFUL
horizons.
And so, here I stand, teetering on the edge of this vast unknown. The leap from the structured confines of office life to the uncharted territory of my sabbatical has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, complete with exhilarating highs and nerve-wracking lows that rival the anxiety of a five-year-old Shelley at her first dance recital (apologies for the sudden flashback).
As I bid farewell to the comforting embrace of routine, I welcome the unpredictable chaos of possibility with open arms (and perhaps a touch of over-caffeinated enthusiasm). Sure, there may be days when I question the sanity of my decisions or find myself frantically googling for yet another dose of inspirational wisdom on social media, but in those moments, I’ll simply remind myself: This is what you have been preparing for.
Conclusion.
So, what do you do with utter freedom? Well, dear reader, the answer can be as elusive as it is liberating. You could chase your wildest dreams like a cheetah on the savannah, or you could indulge in moments of introspection and quiet like a cat basking in the sunlight, savoring the warmth and serenity. The beauty of it all is that the choice is yours and yours alone.
Whether you choose to embark on grand adventures or simply revel in the luxury of stillness, we just need to remember that the journey of self-discovery is never a straight line. Embrace the detours, relish the surprises, and never underestimate the power of a well-timed nap.
So here’s to getting lost in liberation, to stumbling upon the unexpected, and to living life on your own terms. After all, in a world where freedom reigns supreme, the possibilities are as endless as your imagination. So let’s go forth, and make the most of every moment.
Reply