06/04/2022
This post isn’t about showing off my achievements for an ego boost. This post is about reflection and sharing the memories with people that I’ve spent a good part of my life with. (The pictures, IYKYK!)
10 years in the SAF. Was it really what I expected? Not really. Was it a complete waste of my time? Definitely not too.
The experiences, lessons learnt, friends I’ve made (will offer their couches and food to me if I needed somewhere to sleep) definitely shaped me as a person, my values, my approach to life. It allowed me to envision the life, environment and type of relationship I want to create for myself.
Fortunately/unfortunately, It came to a point where I knew I needed to leave. I found myself going through the cycle of ‘my work sucks, my life sucks’, finding dopamine hits and ‘filling myself’ from frivolous things.
I tried chasing money (because of stupidity and greed as well), eventually losing $35k. That changed my mindset about money:- ‘What is enough’. I realized that abundance doesn’t always have to be about possessions and money, although no denying that money gives you options.
Many would say there are no transferrable skills in the SAF to the ‘Outside world’. That is true to a certain extent, but I think I grew in powerful ways too. I thrive from living in uncertainty now and the mental resilience to push through tough times, also, ‘Attention to detail’.
That was what really gave me the courage to start from scratch for a career pivot. Although, I am very grateful for my situation (no commitments, family is healthy and self-sufficient).
As cliché as it sounds. ‘What is the meaning, the purpose?’ is on most minds isn’t it?
Now comes a new chapter, a journey to the elusive ‘IKIGAI’; work that gives me small constant streams of fulfillment, a more sustainable way of living. Am I scared? Yeap. Have I figured it out? Definitely not.
As we embark on this journey of ‘Life’, let us remind ourselves that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. If you’ve found it, good for you! If you haven’t, don’t feel bad about it too.. Keep walking the path, keep making progress, and Embrace Uncertainty because you’ll never know what Life brings you. 🙂