LEAVING home is typically an exciting and long-awaited life event. To be free and find one’s own way through the world seems like a right of passage and should, at some point, symbolise leaving the theoretical nest. For me, I have never been more conflicted as to whether I wanted to spend the rest of my life watching Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Fire on the couch with my mum at home, or exploring the world the way I was expected to. This might not seem like such a hard choice, but believe me, the former sounded particularly enticing.

Anyway, I put on my big girl panties and decided I needed to take the leap that so many people do. I settled on a half-year gap, doing things that I felt will give me some clarity as to what it is I want to do with my life (ish). Finishing school in Switzerland (don’t laugh, I’ll explain later), some classic European backpacking (but with a suitcase – I don’t have that kind of control), and a stop at culinary school in London. Making these decisions was confusing and stressful. But this is not news to many of you who have had to make, or are currently making decisions about the direction your lives will take.

What I learnt from this little exercise is that I don’t trust myself. I got on the plane hoping that I hadn’t made a huge mistake leaving home for so long, doing things I wasn’t certain I would enjoy, and hoping I wouldn’t disappoint the overly-excited and proud people back home. But as all worries go, the only way I’ll get over them is by making the most of my time away, and working on the things I can to make the adventure worth it. I’ve decided to focus on changing my perspectives, learn new cultures, and meet new people – because why not? I’ll try different things, change my mind, enjoy my freedom, and tremble at the at the thought. Pretend I’m not a tourist and get lost in translation. I’ll wonder if I’m even doing the right thing. All the while doing exactly as Mum says, “be smart, be safe, don’t smoke, network, explore, and soak in the magic that is life.”

Thank you for pushing me out the nest