A chapter ends, a new one begins...

So...I am taking the plunge! 

Last Friday was a bittersweet day as I found myself closing the chapter on an 18-year long phenomenal adventure I had embarked on with Dulux Paints ANZ. With this amazing company I have moved countries and states, worked in different sites, roles and over the years, taking time off when needed to focus on raising my family. 

After months of reflection and careful consideration, I resigned at the start of the year, giving 8 weeks' notice to ensure a more seamless handover on some projects very close to my heart.  

When I think about it, I have always strived hard to have that elusive perfect life balance and for the most part, I feel like I have accomplished that. I love being able to be there for my children, watching them grow into well adjusted, happy young adults but at the same time be out there contributing in the work force, blessed to be able to work in roles that have given me meaning, joy, satisfaction and fulfilment. I have met so many amazing people and discovered so many deep everlasting friendships. Sure, there were challenges and frustrations in there too, which I embraced fully as these have allowed me to grow and develop. There is so much truth to the saying, "There is No Growth without Discomfort". Ironically now, I am seeking to not remain comfortable and look outside what I know and have become good at doing.

When I am asked why, the best way to explain would be that I just "knew". With every conviction that this was the right decision for me. A bona fide Inner Calling, a voice from within that there was just something more out there for me had grown progressively louder over time, culminating in a resounding chorus which I simply could not ignore. 

So next few weeks or however long it takes, it's about unplugging, hitting a pause button and just reset. It's a scary and exhilaratingly exciting time and I do have some ideas about what I would like to get into as a next adventure. Having that uncertainty is actually good. I will consider all my options including a complete career overhaul, or maybe a variation of the same as I am unsure whether my love affair with colour and the creative side of things would ever be truly over.  

The photo I am sharing with you is one of me -bottom right corner of image- sitting on a ledge at the main drag Curetes Street in the ruins of the beautiful ancient city of Ephesus, in Sel?uk, Turkey. There are a few reasons why I love this photo. For one, it was captured while on holiday in June 2019 (Northern Hemisphere summer) before COVID-19 unleashed its ugly head and turned the world upside down. Freedom and ability to travel might never return to that level for a long, long time. Also, at that particular moment in time I was actually taking a break from exploring and just absorbing everything about the place. Which is exactly what I am doing right at this point of my life. Taking a break, absorbing it all. Full reset and be ready for the next bit. Lastly, if one were to study and read up on Ephesus, it is quite an amazing spot, and I marvel at the immense history that comes with it. It really hits home for me that our lifetime is just one tiny blip in the scheme of things and in fact, we have so little time to squeeze everything in!

Well, I am happy to be turning the page and moving on to a new Chapter. Thank you to all who have supported me in my journey, and helping me find the courage to do what it takes to change the course of my life when I figured that it was no longer going in the desired direction. 

This is a positive step, and it feels good to be finally taking that leap :-)