When does a journey begin?
- gilbertkathj
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
I shared my ponderings on the question, ‘when does a journey begin?’ with Kris and Vicki today as we chatted over coffee at Brunetti’s in the city. Nothing unusual there except I’d never met or spoken to either of them before. Like myself, Kris and Vicki are participants in the Future Women’s Jobs Academy program and so we had decided to meet up, support each other and just hang out for the day.
When the ad for Jobs Academy popped up on social media I just went for it - clicked applied and waited. I was accepted and thought it would be a great way to figure out the next step in life's journey as I know I'm not ready to retire; I love working with a team and I believe I have lots to offer - I'm just not quite sure what. I felt this group would help me sort out my transferable skills, my pitch and all the stuff I haven't needed for 30 years.
After sharing parts of my journey with Krys and Vicki, I’m still not sure when it began. Was it when I hit send on the application to join the Jobs Academy program? Was it when I realised my manuscript was nearing completion and I’d once again have free time? (How naive!) Was it when I submitted my first article as a freelance writer? Was it when I decided to write a book? Was it when, as a young graduate, listening to other teachers say, ‘We used to do it that way, it just had a different title,’ I promised myself I’d never became that grumpy old team member? Was it when a close friend died, never reaching 54 years of age? Was it all those times?
I’m not sure, but I do know that right now I’m on a journey I never expected to undertake – not in my wildest dreams. As a young(ish) single mum 28 years ago, who just desperately wanted ongoing employment to secure my home and my son’s life, I would never have dreamt of turning away from a secure, permanent, ongoing, financially rewarding job. Yet I have.
Most days I am very happy with that decision - when it rains a lot and Bill can’t bring in an income, or I go weeks without relief teaching I do worry a little, but I’m learning to let that go. I’m also learning to let go of not knowing what is going to happen tomorrow. It is both the best and the worst of this new life!
Sometimes I find myself in the most exciting, unexpected places like talking to an old truckie, hearing wonderful stories, other times I’m in my office joining a zoom conference full of inspiring CEO’s and people with fascinating careers, or walking into a room full of unfamiliar faces to join a small business conference. The next day I’m feeling overwhelmed by the next new thing I have to learn – formatting, embedding fonts, registering a business name and on it goes.
There is only one thing I am sure of – I have no idea where this journey is taking me, but I’m hanging on tight and going for it. I'm going to post the highs, the lows and the ordinaries - let's see where this journey goes!
