READY. SET. GO!

Hold On. Are there other possible options than GO?

Almost two years ago, my husband and I finally purchased our very first home together after being married for over 8 years. You might wonder why it took so long for us, but I am going to save that story for another time.

As the Developer handed me the keys, I still vividly remember the joy and excitement and yes…. the anxiety. It is the fretfulness beyond mortgage encumbrances or wants vs needs list or even the possibility of dreadful neighbors. The question that crept to my mind was: How is this home after years of staying at my mom’s and calling that one home?

Like most daughters, I talked to my mom. Her piece of advice was amazing. She said, “Deep breath. It is not going to happen overnight; one step at a time. The important thing is it is your responsibility to make it a home for you and your family.”

Looking back, home hunting odyssey is quite similar to workplace hustle and bustle. How so, one might question. So, here is my experience:

• It is A-Okay to wait, and perhaps settle. I waited 8 years to move out of my parents’ house because of reasons that are too long to list down here. Some people choose forever to stay with their parents. We have our own considerations and all of those are okay.

The same goes for the place you work for. There is absolutely no rule that you need to move on after five years’ service period or that you should settle because you have been promoted. Others must leave their workplace because of restructuring, or need to follow their spouses for relocation purposes, or other possible reasons, and are forced to start over. Once we establish our reasons, stick with them, be responsible, and have a blast.

• The choices are varied, so make sure you know what you want. A home can vary from a single-family detached house, condo, apartment, villa, to a van. The price and bank offers can cause massive headaches. If in the end, you decide to rent instead of buying, so be it. It is not the end of the world.

A company can be local, multinational, or self-own. The positions, salaries, benefits, and disadvantages are also diverse. When deciding, know the things you are willing to compromise and must-have.

• A perfect neighborhood does not exist, nor a perfect Company. If you ever find one, please DM me. Move along, who here has experience with landlords and neighbors? Or at least, we heard stories about vicious (or harmless) landlords and neighbors with a "superpower" that drives you up the wall.

The bosses, peers, colleagues, and or team members are kinda like our neighbors. This may sound cliche, but I am sure you all agree that we need to be careful with the nosey ones, stay away from the people who deject us, make friends with those who see our virtue and surround ourselves with people who bring the best of us. Do not be the stuck-up one because we need the support our neighbors can offer. Our actual neighbors and workplace family are the ones we rely on heavily and first when we encounter problems.

The important key that is often ineptly overlooked is understanding yourself.

One cannot go out and buy any random home… just like we cannot go out and pursue any random goal. Align our goals where our passions, availability, significances, and personal strengths lie. It is completely selfless when we are honest with ourselves about what we actually need and want.

Manage your weaknesses pensively. One thing I learn, everybody will be quick to point them out for you. So, chill… Do not be ashamed to be terrible at something new. Do not let the trepidation of imperfection and unreasonable standards for success infantilize our aspirations.

Looking back, I am blessed to have had an amazing experience in Multi Bintang Indonesia, my second home for over seven years. It is filled with achievements, celebrations, major setbacks & comebacks, a lot of (new) friends, many goodbyes, bad & good decisions, and a few ugly truths. I never thought I will move forward because it has been home for me. Of course, there are times where I feel I hit a wall, but my HR Family is there to lift me. I feel content during all the ups and downs and actually have prepared myself if it is a place I may retire.

As I learn and grow, I believe we are allowed to veer and even switch up priorities. I have made a decision that it is time to start over in a new place.

Honestly, anxiety still hits every time I remember my new commitment, but I know I do not need to have it all figured out to move forward. I will probably need to remind myself now and then that I have made it through challenges before and this time I will be starting from experience. I will bring those experiences and create new memories to make the new place a new home.?

Back to the title. How many times you hear or read this phrase? READY, SET …

In between our ambitions and roles, learn to responsibly cherish your precious life. Fill the dots with whatever verbs you are comfortable with now.

Ready, Set, Hit Pause!

Ready, Set, Accept Mistakes & Try Again!

Ready, Set, Make Progress!

Ready, Set, LIVE!